Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2013
104. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to recent reports which provide further evidence of war crimes and human rights abuses carried out by the Sri Lankan Government during the recent war with the Tamil Tigers; if he supports demands that these crimes be fully investigated; and if he will raise the issue with his European counterparts and at international fora. [48958/13]
View answer135. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has seen the documentary entitled "No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka"; if the Irish Government has plans to take action on the issue of alleged atrocities in Sri Lanka in 2009 by government and Tamil forces; if the matter will be raised with our neighbours in the UK Government in view of the fact that Sri Lanka is a Commonwealth state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49500/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 135 together.
The Government of Ireland monitors the human rights situation in Sri Lanka closely. All allegations of human rights abuses reported by international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and through the media are taken seriously. I am deeply concerned by the accounts of human rights abuses in connection with the conflict in Sri Lanka.
Ireland regularly expresses its position on human rights situations of concern globally, in particular at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and in other relevant multilateral fora. Ireland also contributes actively to the formulation of European Union policy on human rights issues and cooperates and exchanges views with partners, such as the UK among others, on an ongoing basis.
Most recently, at the 24th session of the UNHRC, which took place from 9–27 September 2013, Ireland intervened in the General Debate on human rights situations requiring the Council's attention and expressed its concerns in relation to human rights in Sri Lanka. Ireland expressed its serious concern at abuses in that country, including in relation to the treatment of prisoners incarcerated in connection with the conflict, enforced disappearances, torture, and other human rights violations. Ireland further noted that genuine reconciliation among all groups and communities in Sri Lanka is essential, and requires justice and accountability.
At the same session, the EU also expressed strong concerns regarding the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka. On 9 September, in the General Debate on the annual report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the EU urged the Government of Sri Lanka to implement effectively the recommendations of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission and to conduct independent and credible investigations into allegations of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The EU further encouraged the Government of Sri Lanka to fully cooperate with the UN human rights mechanisms and to allow access for all UN special procedures mandate holders. Finally, the EU expressed its dismay at the reported reprisals against individuals who met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navanethem Pillay, during her visit to the country in August 2013.
In a subsequent statement on 25 September in a General Debate also addressing country situations, reacting to the latest information, the EU reiterated its concerns and in particular registered its deep concern at reports that government officials and other commentators in Sri Lanka appeared to be coordinating a campaign of disinformation in an attempt to discredit the High Commissioner and to distract from the core messages of her visit.
In a statement I delivered on behalf of the EU at the twenty-second session of the UN Human Rights Council on 27 February 2013, I highlighted concerns regarding the current human rights situation in Sri Lanka, and, in particular, the need for accountability and reconciliation. My attention was drawn to the documentary referred to by the deputy following its screening at that session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Ireland, together with our partners in the EU and UN, 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.
