Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage drew attention to the human rights situation in Sri Lanka during questions to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office yesterday.
Following a recent meeting with British Tamils in her Gosport Constituency, Caroline was keen to take the opportunity to underline their concerns surrounding the violation of human rights by government officials in regions across the northern and eastern parts of the country. With the Heads of Commonwealth Government Meeting taking place in Sri Lanka next month, Caroline asked the Secretary of State, Rt Hon William Hague MP, for re-assurance that he is committed to addressing the problem.
She asked:
"Many of my constituents are concerned about the human rights abuses, not just in the north of Sri Lanka but also the east as well, and they are also concerned that the visit by the Commonwealth Heads will somehow legitimise this desperate reality. Will the Secretary of State undertake to leave the Sri Lankan authorities in absolutely no doubt that this is not the case."
Responding on behalf of the Government, the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, said:
"Yes absolutely, my Honourable Friend is quite right about that. They are in no doubt as things stand of what the position is on this as I've explained to the House earlier and they will be left in no doubt by me and the Prime Minister and the Minister of State on our visit to CHOGM."
Speaking outside the chamber, Caroline said:
"What is going on in Sri Lanka is shocking. I am pleased that the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister will be visiting northern parts of the country to see the devastating impacts of these shocking violations for themselves. It is essential that we maintain pressure on the Government of Sri Lanka and I hope that the Commonwealth Heads will have the opportunity to do so during the upcoming meeting."
