Statement by Senator Hanson-Young on Sri Lanka
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on Human Rights:
“The Australian Greens are extremely concerned about recent reports expanding on allegations of human rights violations perpetrated during the Sri Lankan civil war.
“We would like to see a fully independent international investigation into these allegations. It is important that any investigation should have consequences for anyone found to have committed human rights violations.
“The Greens believe that this process could and should operate in conjunction with the UN’s Advisory Panel on Sri Lanka which was set up earlier this year.
“There is a groundswell of concern around the world about the situation in Sri Lanka – British Prime Minister, David Cameron, has voiced his concern about the allegations of human rights violations, while numerous members of the US House of Representatives and Senate have called on the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, to support an investigation.
“An independent inquiry that is free to find the truth of what happened in the civil war is necessary if Sri Lanka is to have any chance of ongoing peace and reconciliation. We call on Prime Minister Julia Gillard to add the Government’s support for this independent investigation.”
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