Written question asked by Sam Tarry (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 July 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 July 2021. It was answered by Nigel Adams (Conservative) on Wednesday, 28 July 2021 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Sri Lanka: Sanctions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to apply sanctions against (a) General Shavendra Silva and (b) other officials in Sri Lanka accused of committing human rights abuses in that country.

Answer: Sanctions are one response among a number of diplomatic tools we can deploy around the world as part of a broader political strategy in order to change or send a political signal regarding particular behaviours. The Global Human Rights Sanctions regime gives the UK a powerful tool to hold to account those involved in serious human rights violations or abuses. We will continue to consider targets globally, guided by the objectives of the human rights sanctions regime and the evidence. However, it is not appropriate to speculate on who may be designated in the future, as to do so could reduce their impact.

Secondary information