OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Sri Lanka

Floor Speech

Date: June 29, 2012
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Arts, Entertainment, and History

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. I rise today to mark the third anniversary of the end of the civil war in Sri Lanka and to urge the U.S. Government to continue to press for full accountability for all human rights abuses committed during the conflict.

Over 70,000 Sri Lankans were killed in the course of the 26-year civil war. The United Nations found claims that both sides committed war crimes to be credible, and although the war ended 3 years ago, human rights violations are reportedly continuing. Reports suggest that over 50 people--mostly critics of the government--have been abducted in the last 6 months. Human rights activists have been targeted for harassment and labeled as traitors in the national media. Gender-based violence is on the rise in the country's north.

Mr. Speaker, the international community must continue to call for accountability for the crimes during the conflict, and we must urge the Colombo government to uphold its international commitments and fully respect the human rights of all Sri Lankans.


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