Statement from New Democrat Leader Jack Layton on the UN’s appointment of a Sri Lanka war crimes panel

New Democrats are pleased that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has named a three-member advisory panel to determine whether war crimes occurred in Sri Lanka last year.

Serious questions remain about whether the final phase of Sri Lanka’s civil war, which left 20,000 dead, amounted to war crimes. New Democrats have long called for a proper investigation into the bloodshed and support the UN’s efforts to answer those questions.

That’s why we are dismayed to hear that Sri Lanka has denied visas to the members of the UN panel. If reconciliation is to occur, the UN must be allowed to do its work. New Democrats call on the government of Sri Lanka to fully cooperate with the panel and to commit itself to transparency.

New Democrats have always supported peace for Sri Lanka and believe that all governments, as well as the international community, have a responsibility to protect justice and human rights. After decades of bloodshed, the citizens of Sri Lanka deserve a chance to rebuild their lives.