MEP cautiously welcomes re-reinstatement of Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission

11.03.27am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 19th May 2006

Liz Lynne, West Midlands MEP and member of the Sub-Committee for Human Rights, today welcomed with caution the announcement from the Government of Sri Lanka that it has re-instated the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission. The decision came in anticipation of a resolution passed Thursday by the European Parliament that strongly urged the Government and rebel groups in Sri Lanka to cease their violent acts and work toward peace.

Liz Lynne, author of the resolution on behalf of the European Liberal Democrats, commented today from the Strasbourg plenary:

"I am pleased about the decision of the Sri Lankan Government to take this step. After countless unnecessary deaths and gross human rights violations, the people of Sri Lanka urgently need this Commission. However, the Government now must take measures to ensure the Commission can be functional. It must do its part to fully investigate and prosecute cases of extra-judicial killings as well."

Liz Lynne, who also serves on the delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia and the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation, condemned the cycle of violence perpetuated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

"I have urged the LTTE to return to the negotiating table. That is the only hope for reaching a political solution. Already delegations from the LTTE to the EU Member States will not be received and the Council is now considering listing them as a terrorist organisation. Can they not see that more violence will just isolate them further? The people of Sri Lanka deserve a chance for peace."

ENDS