The Honourable Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights, today issued the following statement:

“Canada is concerned about the recent and seemingly arbitrary arrest and detention of several activists, including a pastor, in Sri Lanka.

“We call on the Government of Sri Lanka to respect the rights of those detained and ensure due process for the detainees, including by guaranteeing them full access to legal counsel.

“Canada has repeatedly raised concerns over past and ongoing human rights violations in Sri Lanka, many of which are currently being discussed at the UN Human Rights Council, including arbitrary detentions and reprisals against activists. Against this disturbing backdrop, Canada supports the continued monitoring of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.”