Sébastien Nadot, the MP for Haute-Garonne stated that France must “speak out loud and clear for justice and freedom in Sri Lanka at the Human Rights Council” in a tweet as he joined the #GenocideSriLanka campaign, and showcased his question in French parliament to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, on France’s stance at the upcoming United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session.
In a written question to Jean-Yves Le Drian, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, MP Nadot highlights the “prevalence of nationalism, restrictions on religious freedom and inequalities between women and men in Sri Lanka”, as found by the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Freedom of Religion or Belief, following his visit to Sri Lanka in 2019.
“France seems very silent regarding the situation in Sri Lanka” stated MP Nadot, underlining the presence of France on the Human Rights Council during the years 2021-2023, and questioning the Minister on how human rights values promoted by France will be upheld at the UN in regards to the situation of Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Last month, 21 MPs called on France to “act urgently” and “use all its influence for the success of real, lasting and shared peace in Sri Lanka” as a member of the United Nations Security Council; and concluded:
“Persecution and discrimination against the Tamil community must cease immediately, crimes committed during the civil war must be recognized and punished as well as looted land returned. France must put all its power in to enable the Tamil people to finally live in safety in Sri Lanka.”
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