Sri Lanka: Human Rights (Hansard, 6 March 1990)

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, we have made clear to the Sri Lanka Government our concerns about human rights abuses in Sri Lanka. Our High Commissioner discussed the matter with President Premadasa on 28th February. We welcome the positive measures which the President has taken recently.

§ Lord Taylor of Gryfe
My Lords, I should like to thank the Minister for that helpful reply and congratulate our representative in Colombo on the stand he has taken on the question of human rights. However, has the Minister's attention been drawn to a recent article in the Financial Times headed: Sri Lanks takes its place in the annals of savagery"? It describes how around 30,000 people were murdered in the past year, most of them within the past six months. That does not reflect an optimistic situation. In view of our special position as a fellow member of the Commonwealth, does the Minister not think that some further steps might be taken to improve the situation?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, I am sure that all noble Lords will deplore what happened in Sri Lanka and what the noble Lord has just described. The Sir Lankan Government are in no doubt about British concern for human rights and for what has been happening. We must recognise that the government there have been seeking, not without success, to overcome a ruthless challenge to the survival of the democratic system. However, the measures taken to preserve democracy and the rule of law must not end up by undermining them.

The Lord Bishop of Manchester
My Lords, is the Minister aware that among the many whose human rights are threatened in Sri Lanka is one Viraj Mendis who lived in this country for 14 years and who was deported back to Sri Lanka around 15 months ago? Is he further aware that, far from the situation which is sometimes presented in the press, this man's life has been threatened; he has been in considerable danger and discomfort since returning and is now endeavouring to secure entry into West Germany? Can the Minister assure the House that no obstacle will be placed in the way of his transfer, should it be possible?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, I can assure the House that the fullest consideration was given to the case of Mr. Mendis when he was here. The case was subject to the most stringent review by the independent appellate authorities, the courts and my right honourable friend the Home Secretary. The view that Mr. Mendis was not a refugee was also shared by the London representative of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
1052 We understand that since his return to Sri Lanka in January last year Mr. Mendis has been living a normal life. If he wishes to go to West Germany, that would not be a matter for us.

§ Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos
My Lords, in reply to the noble Lord, Lord Taylor, the Minister said that as a result of a meeting with the British High Commissioner, the President and the Government of Sri Lanka were taking positive new measures to deal with the situation there. Will the noble Lord say what those measures are?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
Yes, my Lords. I did not mean to imply that those measures were taken as a result of the meeting with our High Commissioner. Among the measures taken was the invitation to the International Committee of the Red Cross to monitor events and report its findings. Its team arrived in October last year. More recently, initiatives have been taken to repeal the regulation under emergency powers allowing the security forces to dispose of bodies without inquest or notification. There has been recognition of the need to disband vigilante groups and a deadline has been set for the surrender of unlicensed arms. Those are moves in the right direction.

§ Lord Taylor of Gryfe
My Lords, is the Minister aware that the major aid donors to Sri Lanka—that is, Germany, Holland, Canada and Sweden—recently met and asked the Sri Lankan Government for some improvement in this situation, as otherwise it may affect aid contributions from those countries? Are the British Government part of those representations?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, our aid programme is intended to benefit the poorer sections of the Tamil and Sinhalese communities. We have not yet made any linkage between our aid programme and the human rights situation.