Toronto report recommends sanctions against Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Sunday, 20 April 2008, 01:44 GMT]
A citizens report compiled by Canadian lawyers and Canadian Tamils released Friday, during a Conservative Party fundraising dinner, recommended that Canadian Government impose economic and diplomatic sanctions against Sri Lanka. Pointing out the "collapse of the Rule of Law," and "[t]he grievous violations of basic human rights and virtual elimination of due process," the report also urged Canada to "[s]upport the international call to appoint a United Nations Special Envoy for Sri Lanka to monitor and guard against human rights abuses and to assist the peace process, as recommended by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights."

Mr. Chuck Konkel, a conservative candidate who hopes to run for the federal riding of Scarborough- Guildwood, said he will work with Canadians until they understand very clearly the nature of the conflict in Sri Lanka and the need for Canadians to get involved.

Mr. John Legge, a lawyer specializing in Human Rights and the Democratic Application practice of the Rule of Law, Prof. Joseph Chandrakanthan attached to the University of Toronto and a consultant in Bioethics, and Ms. Karen Parker, American Civil Rights lawyer, also spoke at the event.