The Human Rights Watch (HRW) today asked the heads of Commonwealth governments not to attend the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka due to the country's alleged unwillingness to address the ongoing human rights concerns.
The New York-based rights watchdog has, in a letter, asked the heads of 54 Commonwealth countries not to attend the summit scheduled in November in Lanka and suggested that those governments which decide to attend should send a low-level delegation as a public message of dissatisfaction.
"Instead of participating in a propaganda coup for the Sri Lankan government, Commonwealth heads of government should stay home and publicly press Sri Lanka on its repressive policies and lack of accountability," Brad Adams, the HRW's Asia Director has said in the letter.
"The Sri Lankan government should be shunned -- not rewarded -- for failing to hold anyone accountable for war crimes during the country's recent conflict," he said, adding that holding the summit in Lanka casts "serious doubts on the Commonwealth's stated commitment to supporting human rights and democratic reform".
The HRW noted that during a visit to Sri Lanka in August, the United Nations high commissioner for human rights Navi Pillay had expressed grave concerns about lack of accountability, unresolved enforced disappearances, and decreasing fundamental freedoms, among other issues.
"Attending a summit in Sri Lanka so soon after the UN rights chief decried a worsening situation sends the wrong message to the government and to victims seeking justice," Adams said.
The watchdog claims that Sri Lankan government has become increasingly authoritarian, attacking the independence of the judiciary and severely limiting the space for public criticism by the media and human rights groups.
Despite credible allegations by both the UN Secretary-General's Panel of Experts and the government's own Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) of numerous wartime abuses by both sides, the government has undertaken no serious investigations or prosecutions, it said.
Colombo will become the first Asian host of the event in 24 years by hosting the CHOGM between November 12-17.
