Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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61. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the report from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights that has called on the Sri Lankan Government to take further action to provide justice to war victims and survivors; that it also called on Sri Lanka to rein in its military forces in Tamil areas and to prosecute Sri Lankan soldiers for war crimes they committed during the war with the Tamil Tigers; that witnesses must be protected under an effective transitional justice mechanism, which should include international judges; and if he will assist this process in any way. [19467/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the report on Sri Lanka presented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the 32nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Ireland is a strong supporter of the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and has welcomed this update on Sri Lanka.

On Wednesday 29 June, Ireland delivered a national statement at the Human Rights Council responding to this report in which we welcomed the Sri Lankan Government’s positive engagement with the Council to date and recognised areas in which progress towards reconciliation has been made. This includes visits by Special Rapporteurs, and steps being taken towards the establishment of an Office of Missing Persons. We also echoed the call of the High Commissioner for further concrete steps to be taken to facilitate access to justice for victims of conflict in Sri Lanka. In particular, we called on the Government to ensure that the implementation of commitments made under resolution 30/1 is carried forward in an inclusive manner. This statement highlighted the importance of international participation in the accountability mechanism being developed and urged the Government to engage in broad and open consultations with all affected communities.

Ireland understands reconciliation as a long-term process in which all levels of society should be actively involved. In order to support this process in conflict-affected areas, my Department provides support to non-governmental organisations and international agencies involved in mediation and reconciliation throughout the world, several of whom are active in Sri Lanka. These organisations engage at the levels of government, civil society and community to promote dialogue and reconciliation for a lasting and sustainable peace.