SDIR Committee Meeting

The Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met in camera at 1:17 p.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Scott Reid, presiding.

It was agreed, — Whereas, the UN Report of the Secretary-General’s Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka found credible allegations, which if proven, indicate that during the final stages of Sri Lanka’s civil war, a wide range of serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law were committed both by the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, some of which amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity;

Whereas, a recent Channel 4 (UK) documentary, Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields, chronicled a number of such violations;

That the Subcommittee study the developing human rights situation in Sri Lanka, for no more than four meetings, with a view to calling upon the Government of Canada to urge the United Nations to immediately establish an independent, international and impartial mechanism to ensure truth, accountability and justice in Sri Lanka.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee study the ways in which sexual violence against women is used systematically as a weapon of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo;

That the evidence and documentation received from the Subcommittee during the 3^rd Session of the 40^th Parliament in relation to its study on sexual assault on women and children during peacekeeping operations, in fragile states and/or in situations of conflict be taken into consideration by the Subcommittee in this session; and

That no less than two meetings be set aside for this study.

It was agreed, — That the evidence and documentation received by the Subcommittee on human rights violations in Venezuela during the 40th Parliament be taken into consideration by the Subcommittee in this current Parliament;

That at least one or more additional meetings be called to provide an update from witnesses into the current human rights situations; and

That the Subcommittee produce and present a report to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, with the recommendation that the report be presented in the House of Commons.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee study the human rights situation in Eritrea;

That no less than six meetings be allocated to the study; and

That the Subcommittee, upon completion of the study, release a statement, based on the evidence heard at the meetings, to the public and also produce and present a report to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, with the recommendation that the report be tabled in the House of Commons.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee invite officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to appear and to discuss the situation of sexual violence against women in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, October 25, 2011.

At 2:07 p.m., the Subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.