illusion8
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British Prime Minister David Cameron will demand an independent investigation into alleged human rights abuses in Sri Lanka when he attends Commonwealth summit in Colombo next week.
Cameron has defended his decision to attend the summit which starts next Friday, saying he would use the opportunity to focus international spotlight on Lanka's lack of progress in human rights and reconciliation after the end of the civil war in 2009.
"I will demand that the Sri Lankan government independently and transparently investigates alleged war crimes and allegations of continuing human rights abuses; guarantees freedom of expression; and stamps out intimidation of journalists and human rights defenders," he said.
According to the United Nations, Sri Lanka has 5,676 outstanding cases of disappearances, more than anywhere else in the world apart from Iraq.
There has been much controversy surrounding the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo from November 15 to 17, with many global rights body calling for a boycott.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has boycotted the summit, citing Sri Lanka's lack of progress in human rights and reconciliation after the end of the civil war in 2009.
British PM to demand independent probe in Sri Lanka | Business Standard
Cameron has defended his decision to attend the summit which starts next Friday, saying he would use the opportunity to focus international spotlight on Lanka's lack of progress in human rights and reconciliation after the end of the civil war in 2009.
"I will demand that the Sri Lankan government independently and transparently investigates alleged war crimes and allegations of continuing human rights abuses; guarantees freedom of expression; and stamps out intimidation of journalists and human rights defenders," he said.
According to the United Nations, Sri Lanka has 5,676 outstanding cases of disappearances, more than anywhere else in the world apart from Iraq.
There has been much controversy surrounding the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo from November 15 to 17, with many global rights body calling for a boycott.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has boycotted the summit, citing Sri Lanka's lack of progress in human rights and reconciliation after the end of the civil war in 2009.
British PM to demand independent probe in Sri Lanka | Business Standard