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| PM Cameron pledges to call for international investigation at CHOGM in Sri Lanka Nov 2013 |
Welcoming the passing of the UN Rights Council’s resolution on Sri Lanka, British Prime Minister David Cameron said he was proud of his country’s role in securing an international investigation into war times atrocities there.
“I said that we would achieve more by standing up for our values rather than sitting on the sidelines. And that is exactly what we have done,” he said in a statement issued shortly after HRC members states approved the resolution.
The full text of the statement follows:
“I am pleased that the UN Human Rights Council has today agreed to press ahead with its own independent investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka.
“This is a victory for the people of Sri Lanka who need to know the truth about what happened during those terrible years of the civil war so that they can move forward.
“Today’s outcome has been triggered by the failure of the Sri Lankan government to stand by its promises to credibly and independently investigate alleged violations on both sides during the war.
“I hope that President Rajapaksa will now seize this fresh opportunity to work with the international community to heal the issues of the past and to reconcile communities across Sri Lanka. This is the best way to achieve an inclusive and prosperous future and to ensure that Sri Lanka achieves its amazing potential.
“I am proud of the crucial role that Britain has played to secure this outcome. I said in November that we would achieve more by standing up for our values rather than sitting on the sidelines. And that is exactly what we have done.”
Find full coverage of the UNHRC vote and reactions to the resolution mandating the OHCHR to undertake an inquiry here.