Liberals Call for Boycott of Sri Lankan CHOGM

April 3, 2013

TORONTO– Liberal Leader Bob Rae made the following statement today on the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka:

“The situation on the ground in Sri Lanka is showing no signs of improvement, and the Rajapaksa regime’s disrespect for human rights and democracy continues unabated. No serious effort has been made by that government to reconcile with all actors in Sri Lankan society.

There is neither truth nor reconciliation after the end of the civil war. Ethnic and religious discrimination is growing, not decreasing. Attacks on journalists and opposition politicians are getting worse and more lethal. The abuse of the rule of law is increasing; the impeachment of the country’s Supreme Court Chief Justice was a deep abuse of power.

The situation has escalated to such a degree that Canada can no longer in good conscience attend the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo. The Sri Lankan regime has not earned the right to host this international summit, and we urge other states to boycott the meeting and push for a change of venue.

The Commonwealth is too important to allow its business to be disrupted by a single rogue member’s violation of the association’s beliefs and values. Canada must work with other member states to create stronger mechanisms to deal with governments failing to uphold the Commonwealth’s shared commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”