Solheim discusses potential need for sanctions and international election observers in Sri Lanka

 02 November 2014
Erik Solheim, a former peace negotiation envoy to Sri Lanka, discussed the potential need for the EU to ensure that the upcoming presidential elections in Sri Lanka were free and fair, as well as potential sanctions on Sri Lanka should it continue to refuse to cooperate with the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights Investigation into Sri Lanka (OISL). 

The former Norwegian peace envoy spoke about the use of international observers to ensure fair elections in Sri Lanka during a meeting with the British Tamil Conservatives last month, whilst discussing matters pertaining to the upcoming presidential elections in Sri Lanka, and a post-inquiry follow up strategy to ensure accountability and justice whilst meeting the aspirations of all people on the island. 

The chair of the BTC told Tamil Guardian that during their discussions with Solheim, they considered the need to mobilise the EU to ensure that the upcoming elections in January were free and fair using mechanisms such as independent international election observers and discussed the possible necessity of targeted sanctions on individuals in Sri Lanka should they continue to reject the work and findings of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Investigation into Sri Lanka (OISL).

Erik Solheim was heavily involved in facilitiating negotiations between the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan government during the cease-fire period of 2002-2006.