Labour party affiliate Tamils for Labour has commended the adoption of the resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council, calling it an “important step forward” in achieving truth, accountability and justice, and thanked the Labour Party for its commitment to work with the Tamil people.

The organisation called on the international community to act to stop ongoing abuses and said it would support a moratorium on deportations of vulnerable people back to Sri Lanka.

“We are very pleased that progress on accountability in Sri Lanka has been made at the UNHRC. However, it is imperative that the OHCHR is given full support to implement the resolution, especially given the Government of Sri Lanka’s vehement rejection of the outcome of the vote and the authority of the High Commissioner, as well as the manner in which it has consistently refused to co-operate with the Council,” a statement said.

“The UK Government, and other members of the international community, must also ensure that the investigation is provided with adequate resources and that the establishment of a proper witness protection program, for those that testify, is given the highest priority. This is essential so that the investigation can begin as soon as possible and proceed with the urgency these atrocities, some of the worst witnessed this century, warrant.”

“The UK and others should continue to monitor closely the human rights situation in Sri Lanka and must act to stop the ongoing and well document militarisation and demographic changes occurring in the Tamil majority areas of the North and East of the island.”