Six international human rights advocating bodies have written to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to Geneva Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha calling upon the Council to condemn the systematic reprisals faced by Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Sri Lanka.
Amnesty International, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation, International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), International Movement Against Discrimination and All Form of Racism (IMADR) and the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) in a joint statement have also called upon the UNHTC to remind Sri Lanka of its obligation to ensure that all persons can exercise their right to free and unhindered access to UN human rights mechanisms.
They have also urged the member and observer states of the UNHRC to be resolute in addressing the continued harassment and intimidated of HRDs from Sri Lanka who engage with the UNHRC system through every step necessary including mobilization of their diplomatic representatives in Sri Lanka.
While expressing their deep concern over the ongoing attacks against HRDs and others who seek to engage with the UNHRC, the organizations have pointed out that these cases will only intensify in the lead up to the 27th and 28th sessions of the UNHRC.
In accordance to the obligations specified under International Humanitarian Law, the HR advocacy organizations have also called upon the UNHRC to publicly condemn all acts of threats and reprisals against Sri Lankan HRDs, as they have recalled the most recent of such incidents – the disruption of a meeting held at the Center for Society and Religion for families of the disappeared by the mob of extremist monks and Rajapaksa supporters and Police inaction over the incident.
The letter has also referred to an article that had been published in the Sinhala mainstream newspaper Divaina, where local civil society actors had been accused of ‘conducting an operation to betray the country’ while labeling organizers of such events as ‘traitors’ for engaging with UN human rights mechanisms. Furthermore in the article, it had been noted that such individuals should be shot and thrown into forests to be fed on by foxes but had added that since Sri Lankans are not of such a tribal mentality, the pedigree of such individuals from their birth should be exposed instead.
“This concern is heightened by the fact that the article specifically names certain defenders: Ruki Fernando, Nimalka Fernando, Brito Fernando, JC Weliamuna and Father Sathayavail,” the letter states further.
Furthermore in the letter, the organizations have noted that Sri Lanka as a state party to the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is obliged to protect HRDs and other individuals from harassments and other attacks not just by government officials but also non-state actors.
Ansar / August 27, 2014
Slight correction to the Divayina article quote: “bodies should be thrown into the forest to be fed on by foxes”. No No, it should be thrown to the backyard of Medamulana to be fed on by Rajapassa crocodiles.
That will be nothing for the Rajapassas who are virtually eating up the whole nation and plundering the resources for their sustenance and perpetuation.
Lanka E news has very interesting news item, probably retribution from above for the crimes committed against humanity especially against minorities. Everyone pays for the crimes they commit, if the crimes are committed in private the retribution will come in private, if it is done in the public glare, retribution will also be in public. That is the natural norm which is said in all religions and nobody will be spared, even the high and mighty, who think that they are untouchable. I am a strong believer in that and there are many undeniable proofs and the chicken is coming home to roost.
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justice / August 27, 2014
Those who expose human rights violations are labelled ‘traitors’ and ‘betrayers’ of the nation – by those who wish to perpetuate the “Rajapakse familial curse” – for their own welfare.
The BBS by leading this group are also heaping insults to the preachings of the Gautama.
So-called ‘devout’ Buddhists who aspire to titles conferred on administraters of temples, ignore this.
These ‘political Buddhists’ need to wake up – but it appears that they too desire this regime.
We are slowly evolving just as the Third Reich did.
The pseudo-Hitler has emerged and appears to prosper.
Let us hear what he will say at the UN General Assembly sessions.
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Aardvark / September 2, 2014
“……“This concern is heightened by the fact that the article specifically names certain defenders: Ruki Fernando, Nimalka Fernando, Brito Fernando, JC Weliamuna and Father Sathayavail,” the letter states further.”
Apart from the latter all these people are cronies of the Asian Human Rights Commission, so, why are they remaining silent on this issue?
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Tamil from the north / September 6, 2014
this Buddhist thug is so brave he beats up an old weak man. He should come to Canada and try his little pranks and he will return to wonderland without an arm or two. I would love to see this low life punk in a robe in Canada.
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