Political leaders to attend Human Rights conference
The Canadian Human Rights Voice (CHRV) is organizing a non-partisan event on
February 1st, 2012 ( 10 am till 6 pm ) in Parliament Hill, Ottawa, to discuss Canada’s responsibilities to
respond to the violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Sri
Lanka.
In December 2011, the Sri Lankan government-appointed Lessons Learnt and
Reconciliation Commission ( LLRC ) released its findings that inquired and reported on its
conflict between years 2002 till 2009. International rights groups slammed the report
for ignoring the serious evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In September 2011, the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper stated that Canada
supports the UN's call for an independent investigation into Sri Lanka's war crimes.
Elected representatives, journalists and activists will meet to discuss Canada’s role and the role of the international community to response.
Internationally recognized journalist Peter Silverman will provide opening remarks at the conference.
About CHRV: The Canadian Human Rights Voice (CHRV) is a non-profit organization that is committed to promote, educate, defend and voice human rights violations across the globe.
Over the course of the Conference the following topics will be discussed:
1. Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC)" report: In December 2011, the Sri Lankan government-appointed Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission released its findings that inquired and reported on its conflict between years 2002 till 2009. International rights groups slammed the report for ignoring the serious evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
2. Canada's response: Minister Baird issued a statement on January 11 2011 that "strongly urges the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the commission’s recommendations and develop an implementation road map with clear timelines while also addressing the issues the report did not cover. "
Minister Baird also called for decisive action and reiterated the call "for an independent investigation into the credible and serious allegations raised by the UN Secretary-General’s Panel that international humanitarian law and human rights were violated by both sides in the conflict.
“The Government of Sri Lanka must demonstrate the principles of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
In September 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper stated that Canada supports the UN's call for an independent investigation into Sri Lanka's war crimes.
3. In December 2011, the International Crisis Group, warns that the heavily militarized and centralized control of those areas – with almost exclusively male, Sinhalese security forces – creates serious problems for women’s safety, sense of security and ability to access assistance. Women in Sri Lanka’s predominantly Tamil-speaking north and east are facing a desperate lack of security in the aftermath of the long civil war.
4. Ongoing human rights abuses in Sri Lanka including an alarming amount of disappearances.
5. Canada, Sri Lanka and Tamils: Paving a new way forward.
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Last CHRV conference documentary- Scarborough Civic Centre on July 12th, 2011 from 6 till 9 PM.
