ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
Prime Minister John Key says New Zealand will still go to a Commonwealth conference in Sri Lanka despite concerns about the country's human rights record.
Britain's Prime Minister is facing pressure to stay away, and Canadian Prime Minister Harper is already staying away but Mr Key says the best way to make a point is to do it in person.
In a response to Indian Weekender, Spokeswoman of the PM said, "New Zealand is concerned by the slow progress of reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka following the end of the civil war in 2009.
In March, we joined a number of other countries in co-sponsoring a resolution in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on the situation in Sri Lanka.
At the Council session in September, we made a statement welcoming progress in Sri Lanka on elections and calling for further reconciliation efforts. The Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Sri Lanka in early June and again in August. While in Sri Lanka, the Minister had a proactive discussion with his foreign affairs counterpart , placing on record New Zealand's concerns in relation to the question of reconciliation and human rights in Sri Lanka ."
She also said, "New Zealand is an active member of the Commonwealth and a strong supporter of the values that bind the 53 member states. As well as colonial heritage, Commonwealth countries share a commitment to democracy, the rule of law and human rights. This shared heritage gives us a platform to tackle global issues."
Prime Minister John Key says New Zealand will still go to a Commonwealth conference in Sri Lanka despite concerns about the country's human rights record. Britain's Prime Minister is facing pressure to stay away, and Canadian Prime Minister Harper is already staying away but Mr Key says the best...
Prime Minister John Key says New Zealand will still go to a Commonwealth conference in Sri Lanka despite concerns about the country's human rights record.
Britain's Prime Minister is facing pressure to stay away, and Canadian Prime Minister Harper is already staying away but Mr Key says the best way to make a point is to do it in person.
In a response to Indian Weekender, Spokeswoman of the PM said, "New Zealand is concerned by the slow progress of reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka following the end of the civil war in 2009.
In March, we joined a number of other countries in co-sponsoring a resolution in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on the situation in Sri Lanka.
At the Council session in September, we made a statement welcoming progress in Sri Lanka on elections and calling for further reconciliation efforts. The Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Sri Lanka in early June and again in August. While in Sri Lanka, the Minister had a proactive discussion with his foreign affairs counterpart , placing on record New Zealand's concerns in relation to the question of reconciliation and human rights in Sri Lanka ."
She also said, "New Zealand is an active member of the Commonwealth and a strong supporter of the values that bind the 53 member states. As well as colonial heritage, Commonwealth countries share a commitment to democracy, the rule of law and human rights. This shared heritage gives us a platform to tackle global issues."
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