The Asian Human Rights Commission expresses concern regarding the safety of the common candidate of the opposition Maithripala Sirisena, who has faced several attacks during the past several days.
“He has himself alerted the public to the threat to his life in a statement he made yesterday (4th January 2015).We urge the Government and the Commissioner of Elections to provide all the protection that he deserves as a presidential candidate if there is to be a free and fair election. We also urge all election monitors, local and foreign, to give priority to monitor the protection of the common opposition candidate.” the AHRC said.
Issuing a statement today the AHRC said; “A free and fair election is a right of the people of Sri Lanka and this right has been entrenched in the history of the country beginning from 1931 when the adult franchise was introduced in Sri Lanka. For a long period of time, there had been a tradition of free and fair elections and peaceful handing over of power from one government to another. The disruption of this tradition unfortunately started with the introduction of the 1978 Constitution and in various degrees election violence has been experienced. The worst forms of electoral violence were experienced during the presidential election of 2010. Following the announcement of the elections to be held on 8th January 2015, there have been repeated attacks on opposition political rallies.
“The Asian Human Rights Commission has been alerted by many persons who are anxious about the safety of the common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena due to the intensification of attacks on his political campaigns. Therefore, we are making this call for ensuring a free and fair election by desisting from any kind of violence perpetrated before, during and after the elections.
“Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), it is a right of the people to choose a government of their choice. A choice of the people could be made only when an environment is created, that is conducive to the exercise of this right of the people. Any violence meted out against any of the presidential candidates in the election is an attack on this freedom of choice of the people itself. Such attacks therefore, are attacks against the nation itself.
“We hope that during this solemn moment when the people will exercise their choice, that the Government of Sri Lanka and the Election Commissioner will do all within their power to respect the people and create the enabling environment for the people to discharge their solemn duties by exercising their right to vote.”
Shiro / January 5, 2015
It is a shame that international bodies have to warn us about the safety of candidates. MS and his campaign has been constantly attacked by thugs and goons, who shoot and burn rally stages, have offices attacked, and even supporters have been stoned. Despite the idiotic denials by the regime, the entire world knows exactly who want MS out of the picture. Attacks to intimidate and make the opposition supporters afraid will not work. People will only sympathize with the opposition when such crimes are perpetrated on them.
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Amarasiri / January 5, 2015
The Asian Human Rights Commission and Shiro
Why?
Here is the reason why.
Mahinda Rajapaksa
Best Average Worst
0.592 0.4465 0.301
59% 45% 30%
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S,Sivathasan / January 5, 2015
Timely word of caution from AHRC.
This warning alone is enough to the country and for the 15 million voters to stir up and overthrow the unwanted regime. To Rajiv Gandhi the last few days proved fatal. To Chandrika,the last few days turned out to be near fatal.
Till results are announced Maithripala needs to live incognito and have some rest. In a blighted land this is a necessity.
Wisdom of Thirukkural:
“It is foolish, not to fear what should be feared;
Fearing what should be feared is prudence”
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thondamannar / January 5, 2015
Shoro : The Aimless Human Rights commission ahrc is as shameless as it states.
Its also a shame that international bodies with sri Lankans at the helm working from outside and s.cking upto the west to prepare dossiers for geneva.
MS made the biggest mistake in s.cking upto CBK’s contract she brought from the the West.
if it was a home made deal between RW & MS the block diehard UNP’er vote would be for MS.
Now the diehard UNP’ers have lost their way nowhere to turn to as CBK/Mangala together with MS and backboneless Ranil have turned the great elephant into a SWAN.
SO WE HAVE ANOTHER THIEF IN CBK AT THE HELM.
Its the Swan that is being shot & burnt & not the Elephant.
Diehard elephant supporters have no intention of sacrificing themselves for a SWAN.
Entire world & Sri Lanka ARE also aware who want MR out of the picture.
MR can be the biggest scum BUT voters does not want a western Conspiracy brought by CBK on Sri Lanka soil and a change.
It appears, Sampanthan and TNA do not mind troops being stationed in the North & do not want them removed.MS as stated so.
The double speak of the TNA is out.
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thondamannar / January 5, 2015
Quote:“The Asian Human Rights Commission has been alerted by many persons who are anxious about the safety of the common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena due to the intensification of attacks on his political campaign.
““Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), it is a right of the people to choose a government of their choice.
AHRC may have fallen asleep. ICCPR was was shredded to pices and returned back U.S.A. when Mohamed Mosrsi government was upstaged in Egypt by the Egyptian military who are funded by the USA.
AHRC buf..ns are writting nonsense. A western mouth piece funded by the danish.
ICCPR is non existant.
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dcn / January 5, 2015
All those concerned about Srilanka’s democratic life must take steps to safeguard MS, the common candidate. This is the responsibility of the present government, police, security forces and other civil forces. Who wins or loses is secondary but we have to conduct all affairs in a civilised manner.
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Ansar / January 5, 2015
EVERY DOG HAS IT’S DAY. JANUARY 9TH WILL BE THE DAY WHEN THE MAHAGEDARA DOG BECOMES THE STREET DOG ALONG WITH LOT OF OTHER WALAUWA DOGS WHO HAVE BECOME SO ACCUSTOMED TO COSY LIFE, DUE TO THE GENEROSITY OF THEIR MASTER TO PLUNDER FROM THE POOR MASSES. TIME TO TASTE THE REAL LIFE SITUATION.
DID I HEAR SOMEONE SAY EARLIER, THE CARAVAN GOES ON… SORRY PAL, THE CARAVAN IS GOING TO COME TO A GRINDING HALT ON 9TH JAN/15. “SUBA ALUTH JEEVITHIYAK”.
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Sengodan. M / January 6, 2015
People must protect Sirisena from the losing despot. It is their bounded duty in their own interests and in the interests of future generations.
Sengodan. M
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stewart sloan / January 6, 2015
Ahhhh, At last the AHRC raises it cowardly head from the safety of its ivory tower in Hong Kong.
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thondamannar / January 6, 2015
Who better knows about the Aimless Human Rights Commission AHRC other than an insider STEWART SLOAN …………..
This is not the first for AHRC……Ba Sil fern na ndo & francis bijjo who has ignored the gang rape of a Japanese student in India.
So much for human rights.
better offer Sirisena a job at AHRC after the 08th of January.
He too can run away like Ba Sil did.
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Saracen / January 8, 2015
Thondamannar, why do you refer to Stewart Sloan as an ‘insider’? He left AHRC in June last year after an open conflict with the directors.
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Aardvark / January 8, 2015
Thondamannar, when the opposition is successful, if they are successful, AHRC will trumpet their support and remind us that they were behind Sirisena all along.
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