Written question asked by John Gorst (Independent Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 12 November 1996. It was answered by Liam Fox (Conservative) on Tuesday, 12 November 1996 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: What measures his Department is taking to prevent human rights abuses against Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Answer: Sir John Gorst: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures his Department is taking to prevent human rights abuses against Tamils in Sri Lanka. [3516] Dr. Liam Fox: We believe that the Sri Lankan Government have made genuine efforts to improve their human rights record, which was very poor under the previous Government. Reports of abuses cause us great concern. We have raised our concern with the Sri Lankan Government on a number of occasions, most recently during the visit by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and by me, and stressed the importance of ensuring that violators are prosecuted.

Secondary information