EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The objective of this booklet is to underline the obligation of Commonwealth member
states to boycott CHOGM 2013 and suspend Sri Lanka from the Commonwealth. By
doing so member states will advocate for the protection of human rights and the rule
of law in the island of Sri Lanka.
As Sri Lanka continues to be implicated in the news for its massive human rights
violations, the decision to hold the 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government
Meeting in Sri Lanka has been questioned and caused great indignation. A state that
has been accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide is not
representative of the ideals and values held by such a distinguished organization.
This booklet examines the core principles of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the
multiple ways in which Sri Lanka has ignored, defied, and violated these principles. It
makes an appeal for Sri Lanka’s dismissal from the Commonwealth as has been done
previously with Commonwealth states. Reviewing the Commonwealth Ministerial
Action Group’s practices in relation to Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Fiji, this
booklet identifies a clear precedence for suspension when democracy and the rule of
law are extinguished.
Exploring various reports and articles written by the Panel of Experts appointed by the
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, a United Nations internal report known as “the
Charles Petrie Report”, an article written for the American Journal of International
Law by Professor Steven Ratner, a 2012 report by the US Department of State, as well
as various other detailed documents, this booklet offers a strong case for suspension.
Sri Lanka’s engagement in crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide is well
documented and it is the responsibility of member states to hold Sri Lanka
accountable.
Sri Lanka continues to deny any wrongdoing, despite clear and mounting evidence
from various sources. The government callously suppresses free speech as clearly
demonstrated in the 6th Amendment in the Sri Lankan Constitution standing in
violation of a core value of the Commonwealth.
Recounting the long history of discrimination, persecution and the marginalization of
Tamils from the political process, as acknowledged in the UN Expert Panel Report
this booklet outlines the way in which very little has changed in the island of Sri
Lanka.
The consequences of hosting CHOGM in the island of Sri Lanka and appointing as its
leader who is accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide as Chair
of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group are innumerable and will devastate
not only the Tamil People, but also the international community as a whole. The
attention afforded to Sri Lanka as host of CHOGM has only bolstered its ability to
obscure the real issues, and in turn allowed the government to escape accountability
and justice.
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