Transitional justice is about justice for war crimes – British MEP

The Sri Lankan government must ensure that transitional justice also includes justice for war crimes, stated Syed Kamall Conservative MEP for London. Responding to questions from the British Tamils Forum, Mr Kamall said that EU member states noted more had to be done to ensure accountability on the island. Transitional justice is indeed about rehabilitation and reconstruction, but also about achieving justice for war crimes,” said Mr Kamall. “The EU Member States have in their most recent Council conclusions on Sri Lanka welcomed progress made, but also noticed the need for more to be done.” Noting that Sri Lanka does “enjoy a trading relationship with the EU”, Mr Kamall went on to note that, “however, as you well know the EU Member States issued trade sanctions against Sri Lanka in 2010 when the country's trade preferences under GSP+ were temporarily withdrawn”. “These trade preferences have still not been restored,” he said, reiterating the need for accountability. “The EU hopes to be able to do this soon, but not before a number of conditions have been fulfilled, in particular related to human rights, including accountability for the end-phase of the civil war.