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Written question asked by Uma Kumaran (Labour) on Monday, 18 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. It was answered by Seema Malhotra (Labour) on Tuesday, 26 May 2026 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Tamils: Oppression

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps to ensure that those responsible for human rights violations against Tamils in Sri Lanka are brought to justice.

Answer

The UK Government is clear that the human rights situation in Sri Lanka needs to be improved. Long-standing grievances and legitimate calls for truth and reconciliation should be addressed properly to ensure justice for all communities and victims' groups, including members of the Tamil community. It is also important that excavations of Chemmani mass graves are carried out in accordance with international legal standards.

We regularly raise these issues with the Sri Lankan government. Most recently, the Deputy Prime Minister discussed human rights during his visit to Sri Lanka in February, with the President, Foreign Minister, civil society organisations and political leaders in the north of Sri Lanka. I also discussed these issues with Sri Lankan Ministers during their visit to the UK last October.

In addition, the UK leads efforts at the UN Human Rights Council with Core Group partners, to ensure that international attention remains on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. We will continue to encourage the Sri Lankan government to uphold its international human rights obligations, protect civic space and make meaningful progress towards an inclusive political settlement that addresses the legitimate concerns of all communities.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
2556
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Human rights Oppression Sri Lanka Tamils
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk