Brisbane archdiocese's Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) wants a Australia to take a stronger stance on human rights violations in Sri Lanka, following a EU threat of some tariff benefit suspensions for the South Asian country.
The European Union said Sri Lanka's $3.47 billion textile and clothing industry may have its tariff benefit suspended within six months unless 27 international human rights conventions are met, The Catholic Leader said.
CJPC executive officer Peter Arndt, in explaining the commission's position said: "The EU's threat of removal of trade benefits is part of a very loud and prolonged chorus of concerns about human rights in Sri Lanka.
"On the same day as the announcement, the Conference of Major Religious Superiors in Sri Lanka said there was a loss of faith in the democratic process and just governance.
"We in the Church in Australia should also heed the cries of those who suffer in Sri Lanka and the concerns expressed by the Church in that country," Mr Arndt was quoted by The Catholic Leader.
Sri Lanka benefits from trade concessions in the EU's Generalised System of Preferences Plus (GSP+), an incentive scheme tied to the improvement of human rights and good governance.
FULL STORY
Sri Lanka faces sanctions (The Catholic Leader)
PHOTO CREDIT
Image from Catholic Justice and Peace Commission