.Paul Scully MP has noted that he was dissapointed to read the comments about the lack of signifiacant measures taken on several areas of vital importance, including transitional justice. He is concerned that the outdated and misused Prevention of Terrorism Act remains in places and the harresment of human rights and social actors continues.
We reproduce his full statement as follows:
APPG STATEMENT ON PABLO DE GRIEF VISIT
27th October 2017
I have noticed with interest the recent comments made by Mr Pablo de Grief the United Nations Special Rapporteure on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence following an official visit to Sri Lanka.
I am disappointed to read that he believes sufficient progress has not been made on several areas of vital importance, including transitional justice. I am particularly concerned that there are still unresolved land disputes, the outdated and misused Prevention of Terrorism Act remains in place and the harassments of human rights and social actors continues. The Office of Missing Persons, a topic I raised recently in Geneva, requires better resourcing. Independent monitoring and support in the North and East of the country coupled with a demilitarisation of those areas can help move this forward.
While there is evidence of some, albeit slow progress on constitutional reform and embryonic efforts to strengthen the judiciary, I believe more can be done. It is beholden upon the government and leadership of Sri Lanka to quicken the pace of reform ahead of the detailed report that will be presented at the UNRC in September 2018.
Chair All Party Parliamentary Grop of Tamils
Paul Scully
Conservative Member of Parliament for Sutton , Cheam & Worcester Park
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