18 November 2013

Amnesty International rates John Key’s performance at CHOGM a failure

Prime Minister John Key’s inaction and failure to take a strong stand on human rights in Sri Lanka is not good enough, Amnesty International said as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo ended.

"This was a real opportunity for the New Zealand Government to shine and to stand up for its values, especially as John Key promised to make New Zealand’s bid for the security council a principled one,” said Amnesty International’s Executive Director Grant Bayldon.

"Unfortunately by choosing self interest over a principled stance and effectively giving his seal of approval to a country whose Government stands accused of war crimes, John Key missed that opportunity and in doing so has let New Zealand down."

Now that the meeting has drawn to a close Amnesty International is calling for the international community to keep up pressure on the Sri Lankan Government to address its human rights crisis by establishing an international investigation into credible war crimes allegations.

John Key was quoted in media reports as having failed to recognise the importance of such an independent investigation and saying that people now feel safe in Sri Lanka.

“The United Nations reports that there are still over 5000 unexplained disappearances, there are Sri Lankan refugees here in New Zealand who are too scared to show their faces and speak out for fear of what might happen to their families back in Sri Lanka, people don’t feel safe.

“Those responsible for past violations, including war crimes, must be held accountable, and ongoing human rights violations stopped irrespective of rank - victims and survivors must see justice done. The past week has provided clear examples of the Government’s repressive tactics, and the New Zealand Government must recognise that,” said Bayldon.

“Sri Lanka may well regret having hosted the Commonwealth summit which has proved a PR disaster for the Government. Despite New Zealand’s disappointing stance, most of the focus has rightly been on the country’s appalling human rights record.

“The strong words by Mauritius, the UK and others have bolstered calls for an international investigation into credible war crimes allegations. But we need action, not just words. The upcoming UN Human Rights Council session in March can and must establish the international inquiry that is long overdue.”

The Commonwealth has also confirmed Sri Lanka as the organisation’s Chair for the next two years. The country will also serve on the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), the body charged with monitoring human rights in member states.

“By awarding Sri Lanka the chairmanship for the next two years and membership of the organisation’s human rights oversight body, the Commonwealth has confirmed its failure to address the country’s human rights crisis,” said Bayldon.

“It defies belief that a country with Sri Lanka’s appalling human rights record can be accorded this honour.”

ENDS

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