Sri Lanka: France warns Sri Lanka on cease-fire, human rights

Monday, 07 January 2008

French Junior Minister for Foreign Affairs and Human Rights, Rama Yade, late on Friday received Mahinda Samarasinghe, the Sri Lankan Minister for Human Rights and Natural Disasters for talks and told him of France's dissatisfaction over the rupture of the cease-fire signed in 2002. She also expressed the concern of France over the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka and called for increased cooperation from Sri Lankan authorities with the mechanisms of the United Nations. The French Foreign Ministry issued the following announcement about this meeting:

Ms. Rama Yade, French Secretary of State in charge of Foreign Affairs and Human Rights, received Friday, January 4th Mr. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Human Rights and natural disasters in Sri Lanka.

Ms. Rama Yade expressed France's regrets over the rupture of the cease-fire signed in 2002. She recalled that the time had come more than ever for dialogue and a political resolution of the conflict, only option that can guarantee a just and lasting peace in Sri Lanka.

Ms. Rama Yade has also expressed the concern of France over the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka and called for increased cooperation from Sri Lankan authorities with the mechanisms of the United Nations. Because of its democratic character, Sri Lanka needs to lead its fight against terrorism in accordance with international standards in the area and the principles of the rule of law, she said.

This meeting also served to remind the commitment of the French authorities that the light will be shed as quickly as possible on the assassination in August 2006 of seventeen members of Action Against Hunger (Action contre la faim).

Finally, Ms. Rama Yade assured her counterpart of France's desire to cooperate to solve the crisis in Sri Lanka.

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