Canada is suspending over $10 million funding of the Commonwealth Secretariat over on-going human rights concerns in Sri Lanka, condemning Sri Lanka's role as Commonwealth chair.

In a statement announcing the funding cut, Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said the country would be reallocating its funding for the next two years, so long as Sri Lanka remained chair.

"We can no longer justify providing additional funding to an organization that turns a blind eye to human rights abuses, anti-democratic behaviour and religious intolerance in its member states", said Mr. Baird.

See reports by the National Post, AFP and Vancouver Sun.  

Sri Lanka's chairpersonship faced similar criticisms in the UK last week, as the British Foreign Secretary William Hague faced questions by his opposition counterpart regarding President Rajapaksa's role as chair and if Mr. Hague had called for his resignation. See here for more.

Last year, the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper boycotted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which took place in Sri Lanka, over the country's human rights record and failure to credibly investigate allegations of mass atrocities.

Mr. Baird said,

“As host of the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and current Chair in Office, Sri Lanka has a duty to take meaningful action on human rights, political reconciliation and accountability. However, Sri Lanka has failed to realize progress on any of these issues,” said Baird. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Canada took a strong and principled stand in not attending the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo, and today’s announcement is an extension of that leadership.

“As Prime Minister Harper has stated, Canada believes that if the Commonwealth is to remain relevant it must stand in defence of the basic principles of freedom, democracy and respect for human dignity, which are the very foundations upon which the Commonwealth was built,” said Baird. “This decision was not taken lightly. We can no longer justify providing additional funding to an organization that turns a blind eye to human rights abuses, anti-democratic behaviour and religious intolerance in its member states.”

While Sri Lanka is Chair in Office, Canada’s $10-million annual voluntary Commonwealth contribution will instead go for two years toward supporting initiatives that espouse the Commonwealth’s values and help to deliver results for those who need them the most.

“Canada remains deeply concerned about the absence of accountability for alleged serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian standards in Sri Lanka,” said Baird. “We will reallocate the funds to assist in combatting the practice of child, early and forced marriage, and help Commonwealth civil society advance the promotion of human rights. Canada will continue to work with its partners to uphold the Commonwealth’s core values, which are cherished by all Canadians.”