Canada remains skeptical of Sri Lanka's commitment to an independent investigation of possible war crimes during its civil war and is still threatening to boycott next year's Commonwealth summit in Colombo.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper says a recent report from Sri Lanka's reconciliation commission does not adequately address the widespread allegations of war crimes committed by the country's army.
Human Rights Watch wants Canada to raise the report's inadequacies at the United Nations Human Rights Council when it reconvenes in Geneva in March.
Human rights organizations estimate that tens of thousands of innocent civilians were killed when the Sri Lankan military crushed the rebel Tamil Tigers in May 2009 to end 26 years of civil strife.
Harper has threatened to boycott the Commonwealth meeting unless Sri Lanka shows it is genuinely interested in accountability and takes meaningful steps toward reconciliation with its Tamil population.
Harper's office says there is no change in the government's position.
The Canadian Press
A spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper says a recent report from Sri Lanka's reconciliation commission does not adequately address the widespread allegations of war crimes committed by the country's army.
Human Rights Watch wants Canada to raise the report's inadequacies at the United Nations Human Rights Council when it reconvenes in Geneva in March.
Human rights organizations estimate that tens of thousands of innocent civilians were killed when the Sri Lankan military crushed the rebel Tamil Tigers in May 2009 to end 26 years of civil strife.
Harper has threatened to boycott the Commonwealth meeting unless Sri Lanka shows it is genuinely interested in accountability and takes meaningful steps toward reconciliation with its Tamil population.
Harper's office says there is no change in the government's position.
The Canadian Press
