Sri Lanka (Hansard, 17 April 2002)

HC Deb 17 April 2002 vol 383 c945W 945W

§ Mr. Sarwar
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards peace in Sri Lanka. [50439]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
We warmly welcome the progress which the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE have made towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Sri Lanka. As we have made clear to all concerned, the UK fully supports the Norwegian-facilitated peace process, and we look forward to the start of direct talks in the near future. We call on all sides to work together in the interests of all Sri Lankans. Any solution must satisfy the aspirations of all communities.

§ Mr. Llwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent meetings he has had with representatives of the Tamil people to discuss human rights issues in Sri Lanka; [49340]
(2) when he will next meet representatives from the Sri Lankan Government to discuss human rights issues and the state's policy towards the Tamil people; [49334]
(3) what representations he has received in the last 12 months regarding human rights issues in Sri Lanka concerning the Tamil people; and if he will make a statement; [49335]
(4) what representations he has received in the past 12 months regarding human rights issues in Sri Lanka from representatives of the Tamil people; [49339]
(5) how many times he has met representatives of the Sri Lankan Government to discuss human rights issues in each of the past five years. [49337]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
We have raised human rights on a regular basis over the last five years with the Sri Lankan authorities at both ministerial and official level and will continue to do so. In March 2001, the Prime Minister and the then Foreign Secretary, discussed the situation in Sri Lanka with President Kumaratunga and then Foreign Minister Kadirgamar. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is planning to meet the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister in July. We are also concerned about human rights abuses committed by the LTTE, and welcome their recent announcement that they will cease recruiting under the age of 18 and that they are addressing the concerns of the Muslim community. We are in close touch with UK-based Sri Lankan groups, human rights organisations and representatives from all communities in Sri Lanka, including the Tamil community.