Today we join with the Tamil and all communities across Sri Lanka, the UK and across the world commemorating those who lost their lives in Sri Lanka’s armed conflict. The British government will continue to press for truth, accountability & justice for victims and their families pic.twitter.com/81ScCyxYDK
— Lord (Tariq)Ahmad of Wimbledon (@tariqahmadbt) May 18, 2022
In a video message on the 13th anniversary of the Mullivaikkal genocide, Lord Ahmad, UK Minister for South Asia, North Africa, the United Nations, and the Commonwealth, stressed that “Truth, justice, and accountability remain a primary focus” for the UK.
The Minister for South Asia recently spoke on these issues in parliament, where he emphasised the need for accountability and justice in Sri Lanka whilst maintaining that the current focus is “the immediate needs of Sri Lanka, its people, and its welfare”.
“I want to renew my own and the UK’s Government’s call for justice and accountability for the lives lost and the people who have disappeared”.
He added:
“I also want to reiterate the UK Government’s commitment to engage with partners specifically at the UN Human Rights Council as we resolution 46/1. I assure you we will continue to pursue progress on human rights and comprehensive accountability for all violations and abuses during the conflict in Sri Lanka”.
Commenting on Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, he maintained that the UK continues to engage with all key partners, including the government of Sri Lanka, “to support efforts for a solution to the current economic crisis and providing a political solution which is inclusive to all communities”.