Fwd: No Commonwealth Seal of Approval for Sri Lanka: BBC Video Report and Amnesty Petition

[Mohan Kumar Subramaniam]

Dear friend,

With only three weeks to go until the start of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka, pressure is mounting on the Governments of Commonwealth nations to boycott the event - or at the very least, to insist that Sri Lanka does not take up its role as chair of the organisation once the summit is over.

By attending the event, Commonwealth Governments are now risking far more than simply their reputations. Canada's recent threat to withdraw its $18 million a year of funding, as well as the Gambia's move to renounce its membership altogether over double standards on human rights, suggest that the very existence of the Commonwealth is now on the line if the meeting goes ahead.

As this shocking BBC video report confirms, widespread human rights violations in Sri Lanka are continuing to this very day. Particularly disturbing are reports of the systematic use of rape and sexual violence against detainees by security forces. Despite leading a high profile campaign on sexual violence (co-launched with Angelina Jolie) in September, Secretary of State William Hague continues to practice a double standard on this issue in his policy towards Sri Lanka.

But there is still time to act. Yesterday, Amnesty International launched a new campaign (below) in which you can send a personal message to William Hague, or to the relevant leaders in India and New Zealand, demanding that they do not give Sri Lanka the Commonwealth seal of approval by attending the summit.

You can do even more by spreading the word. To help things along, we have created this handy campaign ribbon that you can add to your Twitter or Facebook profile picture with just one click. We would also encourage you to take the time to forward this message to your friends and family. The more people we can reach, the stronger our chances of success during this critical window of opportunity. Or you can share this poster.

Kind regards,

The Sri Lanka Campaign

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Alleged war crimes still not investigated. Torture and disappearances ongoing. Act now for human rights in Sri Lanka.View this email online     Amnesty International UK No Commonwealth seal of approval for human rights abuses in Sri Lanka In early 2009 during the final weeks of Sri Lanka’s armed conflict, up to 40,000 civilians were massacred, mostly at the hands of government forces. Corralled into what the government referred to as ‘No Fire Zones’, civilians were shelled and hospitals deliberately bombed. There has still been no credible investigation into these alleged war crimes. Meanwhile, the torture and disappearances that became entrenched during the years of conflict continue. As Sri Lanka prepares to host a Commonwealth leaders' meeting in November, it's time for the  government to come clean about human rights abuses, and stop them.         Dear Fredric, Four years on, Sri Lanka’s beaches are more popular than ever with tourists. The government has gone to great pains to whitewash over its gruesome past and claim an improved human rights record – a claim that could appear to be backed up by its selection as host for a Commonwealth meeting this November. President Rajapaksa could even become the Commonwealth Chair. Yet there has still been no independent, international investigation into the alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity that took place in those final months of war, after foreign journalists and UN observers had been sent away from the warzone. Hold Sri Lanka to account for human rights abuses past and present Meanwhile, the torture and disappearances that became entrenched during the years of conflict continue to this day. It is being reported that the government of Sri Lanka is to ban any protests from being held during the Commonwealth meeting. This should not come as surprise, as in Sri Lanka if you criticise the government you are likely to be bundled into a white van never to be seen again. This is what we believe happened to Prageeth Eknaligoda, a journalist who wrote favourably about the opposition ahead of the 2010 Presidential election. Prageeth was on his way home from work in January 2010, talking on the phone to a colleague - when his phone cut out. Like many other journalists and activists, Prageeth hasn’t been seen since. By staying silent about a regime that ‘disappears’ its critics and glosses over alleged war crimes, the Commonwealth is effectively giving a seal of approval to human rights abuses. Please call on Foreign Secretary William Hague, our representative at the Commonwealth meeting next month, to speak up, show leadership and hold Sri Lanka’s government to account. No Commonwealth seal of approval for human rights abuses  Thank you, Clare Bracey Campaign Manager           Supporting Amnesty with a regular gift or donation is the best way you can help us achieve our long term goals. Your help will allow us to keep up the pressure, demanding justice for victims of human rights abuses.       Privacy Policy • Unsubscribe • Send to a friend Add s...@webmail.amnesty.org.uk to your address book       Copyright © Amnesty international, UK 2012. Registered in England no 01735872, registered office: Amnesty International UK, The Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EA. Amnesty International UK is a company limited by guarantee. Amnesty International UK Section Charitable Trust number 1051681. Questions or feedback? s...@amnesty.org.uk

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The Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice

http://srilankacampaign.org

You can donate to the campaign here

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yours,
Mohan Kumar Subramaniam
Bangalore
 

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