13620 (2009) Question: Is the government intending to make submissions to the Sri Lankan government regarding to refusal to allow international media and human rights monitors full access to the camps containing Tamils in the north of the country; if so what will be the nature of those submissions?
Answer Text: The Government has consistently raised concerns about access for media and humanitarian agencies to the conflict zone and camps for internally displaced people in northern Sri Lanka. These concerns were noted in press statements of 4 February, 22 April, 1 May, and 26 May. We believe humanitarian agencies should have full access to the camps in order to address the immediate needs of people living in them. Media access would greatly improve confidence and transparency.
New Zealand has raised its concerns bilaterally with the Sri Lankan government at appropriate junctures and will continue to do so in meetings of Ministers and at official level. In addition, New Zealand has made statements at the UN Human Rights Council (in the Special Session on Sri Lanka on 27 May) and the UN Security Council (in the open debate on protection of civilians in armed conflict on 26 June).
Portfolio: Foreign Affairs; Minister: Hon Murray McCully; Date Lodged: 08/09/2009; Date Received: 16/09/2009.
3618 (2009) Question: Is the government intending to make submissions to the Sri Lankan government over continuing restrictions on international aid organisations regarding their work in the camps containing Tamils in the north of the country; if so, what will be the nature of those submissions?
Answer Text: The Government has consistently raised concerns about access for humanitarian agencies to the conflict zone and into the camps for internally displaced people in northern Sri Lanka. These concerns were noted in my press statements of 4 February, 22 April, 1 May, and 26 May.
Humanitarian agencies need full access to the camps in order to address the immediate needs in those camps, and to provide confidence and reassurance to the international community about the management of the camps.
New Zealand has raised its concerns bilaterally with the Sri Lankan government at appropriate junctures and will continue to do so in meetings of Ministers and at official level.
Portfolio: Foreign Affairs; Minister: Hon Murray McCully; Date Lodged: 08/09/2009; Date Received: 16/09/2009.
13617 (2009) Question: Is the government intending to protest the Sri Lankan government’s decision to expel the official spokesperson for the United Nations Children’s Fund spokesperson in Sri Lanka, James Elder?
Answer Text: The Government has consistently raised concerns about access for humanitarian agencies to the conflict zone and camps for internally displaced people in northern Sri Lanka, and for better media access to these areas. These concerns were noted in my press statements of 4 February, 22 April, 1 Mayn and 26 May.New Zealand values the work of UN agencies in Sri Lanka. We have raised concerns about access for humanitarian agencies and media bilaterally with the Sri Lankan government at appropriate junctures and will continue to do so in meetings of Ministers and at official level.
Portfolio: Foreign Affairs; Minister: Hon Murray McCully; Date Lodged: 08/09/2009; Date Received: 16/09/2009.
13616 (2009) Question: Is the government intending to make submissions to the Sri Lankan government over its refusal to let most of the Tamil people confined to camps in the north of the country return to their home areas; if so, what will be the nature of those submissions?
Answer Text: The Government has consistently raised concerns about conditions in the camps for internally displaced people in northern Sri Lanka. Concerns about the plight of civilians caught in the civil war were noted in my press statements of 4 February, 22 April, 1 May, and 26 May. New Zealand expects that the Sri Lankan government will keep to its agreed timetable for the safe return of displaced people to their home areas. We have concerns about the humanitarian situation bilaterally with the Sri Lankan government at appropriate junctures and will continue to do so in meetings of Ministers and at officials level. New Zealand will also continue make statements on this issue in the UN at appropriate occasions.
Portfolio: Foreign Affairs; Minister: Hon Murray McCully; Date Lodged: 08/09/2009; Date Received: 16/09/2009.
13615 (2009) Question: Is the government intending to make submissions to the Sri Lankan government over the sentencing on August 31 to twenty years in jail of Mr J S Tissainayagam, a journalist critical of the government’s policies on Tamil issues; if so, what will be the nature of those submissions?
Answer Text: The Government has consistently raised concerns about media access in northern Sri Lanka. Those concerns were noted in my press statements of 22 April, and 1 May. New Zealand believes greater media freedom would improve confidence and allow for longer term peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.New Zealand has raised its concerns about media freedoms with the Sri Lankan government at appropriate junctures and will continue to do so in meetings of Ministers and at officials level.
Portfolio: Foreign Affairs; Minister: Hon Murray McCully; Date Lodged: 08/09/2009; Date Received: 16/09/2009.