TORONTO– Liberal Leader Bob Rae made the following statement today on the Sri Lankan government’s dismissal of the country’s Chief Justice:
“The Liberal Party of Canada strongly condemns the Sri Lankan government’s unconstitutional dismissal of the country’s Chief Justice, Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake.
Last week we called on the Conservative government to immediately raise this issue with the Commonwealth’s disciplinary group. Canada must request an emergency meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to address these direct violations of the association’s fundamental principles with the Sri Lankan government, and establish a path forward to support the development of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan government’s actions threaten the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law. It is simply unacceptable that we wait to address this dire situation until the next scheduled meeting, as Prime Minister Harper and Minister Baird would prefer.”
Statement by NDP Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar on the impeachment of Sri Lankan
Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake
The Official Opposition unreservedly condemns the recent impeachment of Sri Lankan Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake as a politically motivated attack on judicial independance and human rights.
This indefensible act has unfortunately demonstrated that the Sri Lankan government is not committed to improving the respect and realization of human rights. We strongly urge the Canadian government to now state unequivocally that Canada will not attend this October’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The Sri Lankan government has consistently attempted to undermine judicial integrity and independence. Chief Justice Bandaranayke was impeached in a process that lacked basic transparency and is widely considered to be retribution for making decisions that displeased the government. New Democrats stand in solidarity with Chief Justice Bandaranayke and people of conscience around the world in calling on the Sri Lankan government to demonstrate a commitment to honour and uphold values of good governance and respect for human rights.
We urge Commonwealth members to step up action to condemn this attack on judicial independence. International diplomatic pressure must focus on the implementation of the recommendations of the Secretary-General’s Panel of Experts on Sri Lanka, which found credible allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.