Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 June 2013
16. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the Tamil Political Prisoners in Sri Lanka March 2013 report produced by the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice, which investigated the arbitrary detention of Tamil political prisoners and the prison conditions they face; and if he has raised the issue with the Sri Lankan authorities. [30759/13]
View answerI am aware of the report released by the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice in March. I am deeply concerned by the accounts of human rights abuses of prisoners incarcerated in connection with the conflict in Sri Lanka. Ireland along with our partners in the EU believes that genuine reconciliation among all groups and communities in Sri Lanka is essential and requires justice and accountability.
Ireland’s Ambassador to India, who is accredited to Sri Lanka, discussed the peace and reconciliation process with the Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka in December of 2012 and again with the Minister of External Affairs in February of 2013. These discussions included issues around the treatment of prisoners incarcerated in connection with the conflict.
In an address I gave to the 22nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council I highlighted the current human rights situation in the country and in particular the need for accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. Also during this session of the Council, members passed a resolution calling upon the Government of Sri Lanka to take meaningful action on reconciliation and accountability and specifically expressed concern about continued reports of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture and other human rights violations.
As mentioned in the report, Sri Lanka regrettably rejected a number of recommendations made by the international community during the Universal Periodic Review of the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka. However Ireland’s recommendations that the Government of Sri Lanka take steps to ensure that all detainees are afforded a fair trial within a reasonable time period, and second, that the Government of Sri Lanka inform the Council of implementation of recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, were both accepted by Sri Lanka.
Ireland, together with our international partners, will continue to urge the Government of Sri Lanka to adhere to its international obligations and respect the human rights of all its citizens, through our accredited embassy in New Delhi and the relevant multilateral channels.
