VP/HR — Sri Lanka — UN report on civil war

15.10.2015

Question for written answer E-013891-15
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Mark Demesmaeker (ECR)

In recent months, the revelations concerning serious breaches of human rights during the final days of the civil war in Sri Lanka in 2009 have caused something of a furore in the world press.

A research report by the United Nations has documented the most serious crimes, such as illegal executions, sexual violence, torture, recruitment of child soldiers, attacks on civilians, denial of humanitarian aid and violation of the rights of internally displaced persons in closed camps. Both parties to the conflict are said to have been responsible for these.

The UN is calling on Sri Lanka to investigate the human rights violations using an independent war crimes tribunal.

In 2013, Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom announced that he was prepared to join in supporting an international inquiry if Sri Lanka continued to delay progress on the matter.

Does the EU consider that an independent international war crimes tribunal should be set up?

How will the EU increase pressure on Sri Lanka to set up an international war crimes tribunal?