NDP launches campaign to boycott Sri Lanka’s Commonwealth meeting

Harper leaves the door open to participation in the Sri Lanka meetings

OTTAWA – Official Opposition New Democrats Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) and Rathika Sitsabaiesan (Scarborough—Rouge River) have launched a national campaign to pressure the Conservatives to fully boycott the Commonwealth meetings in Sri Lanka unless an independent and international investigation into alleged war crimes are accepted by the government of that country.

The campaign was launched a day after Stephen Harper left the door open to government participation in the Sri Lanka meetings.

“Canada must take a principled position against Sri Lanka’s lack of accountability for alleged war crimes,” said Opposition Foreign Affairs critic Paul Dewar. “I invite all Canadians to join our campaign and pressure the Conservatives to fully boycott the upcoming Commonwealth meetings hosted by Sri Lanka, unless that government allows an independent investigation into allegations of war crimes.”

Canadians can add their voice to the NDP’s campaign for human rights and accountability in Sri Lanka by signing the petition at p.ndp.ca/srilanka and sharing it with their friends and family.

“The government must give us a clear commitment that Canada will not be a part of these meetings if Sri Lanka does not agree to an independent and international investigation,” said NDP MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan. “I urge every Canadian to sign our petition, share it with their friends and family and build a movement to ensure that human rights and accountability are top priorities for the government.”