The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) in a strong statement issued today has expressed grave concern over the safety of those working in Non-Governmental Organisations in Sri Lanka that do not toe the line of the Rajapaksa regime, pointing at the recent instructions that have been issued by the National Secretariat for NGOs that operates under the purview of the Defense Ministry.
Gota
In a statement issued today, the AHRC has referred to the letter issued by the National Secretariat for NGOs that has instructed them to prevent from holding activities (press conferences, workshops, training for journalists and dissemination of press releases) that are ‘beyond their mandate’.
While holding the Defense Ministry responsible for shedding the blood of anyone that dares to express dissenting views, the AHRC has stated, “Anyone who takes the trouble to make a list of those whose blood has been shed in recent years for no other reason than expressing their protest against government policies, would know that this Ministry means business when it issues such letters. What the Ministry of Defense is trying to tell NGOs that dare to express themselves – by conducting conferences, workshops, training of journalists, and disseminating press releases – is not only that the gates of prison are open for them, but something more: that they face dangers similar to what many other Sri Lankans have faced already.”
The statement has also described the mentality of the Defense Ministry Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who has been accused of war crimes, as one where he perceives Sri Lanka as a ‘country of the dead’; as a country where people should not think, should not speak, and should not even dream of expressing any view critical of the government.
The AHRC, which points out that the NGOs are entitled to the same rights as everyone to carry out their activities of holding press conferences etc. It has pointed out that these recently imposed restrictions are a message of the Defense Ministry’s idea, which they have been desperately trying to communicate for a while; the vision of a country where people enjoy rights only in their dreams.
The statement furthermore reads that these developments and restrictions should be gravely considered, adding they are indicators of the depths of disorder to which the present Sri Lankan government has sunk.
“It is a warning to one and all about how deep the government has sunk into disorder. Now is the time for all forces opposing the government to call for an end to such arbitrariness, to this insanity,” the statement further reads.
Amarasiri / July 9, 2014
“The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) in a strong statement issued today has expressed grave concern over the safety of those working in Non-Governmental Organisations in Sri Lanka that do not toe the line of the Rajapaksa regime, pointing at the recent instructions that have been issued by the National Secretariat for NGOs that operates under the purview of the Defense Ministry.”
Looks like Goat wants to fill the p[prisons, after killing the LTTE and keep the prisons occupied.
Capacity Utilization.
No dissent.
Sri Lankans, why are you waiting like dumb sheep?
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Dude / July 9, 2014
It is Gota the Goon who is engaged in “unauthorized activities” by preventing NGOs from doing their authorized activities which is to EDUCATE, INFORM, TRAIN and organize citizens and voters to hold governments responsible and accountable. Indeed, this is the primary job of NGOs and civil society organizations.
Gotabaya Rajapakse is violating the mandate of NGOs by asking them not to have seminars and press briefings. In the modern world education and information of people is done through seminars, press briefings, publications and conferences. These are the MEANS to the GOAL of an educating and informing the public.
By telling NGOs not to have seminars, conferences and workshops Gota is violating the RIGHT TO INFORMATION, EDUCATION and Free speech and the NGOs and the JOINT OPPOSITION parties should file a case against this paranoid Military Dictator in waiting in the Debacle of Asia where everything is upside down.
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Javi / July 9, 2014
He would fill it and then have it bombed saying there was alla terrorist.
The Yankees have sent Goo`ta `Boo`ts up the gum tree giving the folk a chance to rise.
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kiafiya Addar / July 9, 2014
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eusense / July 9, 2014
Can anyone give me a list of countries that allowed or will allow NGOs to educate voters on voting?
In my mind no NGOs should NOT interfere with governance of any country. If they interfere they should be packed and sent home.
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Javi / July 9, 2014
Slaves have no idea of democracy leave alone freedom. Yo u think this ape anduwa and living off the begging bowl from west is democracy .
In your case you copy yourself and that makes you sterile.
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eusense / July 9, 2014
Javi,
Answer my question or explain why I am wrong or stop writing garbage as a response!
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Javi / July 9, 2014
Nonsense the slave boy in the US,
Copy Cat try Ostrich Treatment like Off The Nut.
Beware the Tea-braggers!
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eusense / July 10, 2014
Jav,
Is that your response?
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Thiru / July 9, 2014
“Gota Opens Prison Gates For NGO Workers” Says AHRC”
That’s OK, when will the Hague Prison gates open for Gota?
Earlier the better.
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Javi / July 9, 2014
That would be luxury for the lying rascal. Along with 40k orange saris send him to Guantanamo Bay or fashion Katchatheevu in the same lines.
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Thiru / July 9, 2014
Just Security @just_security 1h
Is #Gotabaya immune from criminal prosecution in the US or elsewhere? @BethVanSchaack writes: No http://justsecurity.org/12679/immunities-criminal-prosecution-united-states/ … #SriLanka #warcrimes
Gota is not immune to prosecution in the US!
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Javi / July 10, 2014
You are aware that the state department instructed justice department Passa is immune to prosecution in the Trinco case. This has never been the case in the US before.
The day Blair is dumped by the US he would be prosecuted.
Similarly, with Goo`ta who has the backing of the Zionist because of military purchases. To extend it he is selling arms offshore.
He is always prepared army with the negotiated risk.
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Somebody / July 9, 2014
eusense,
Can anyone give me a list of countries that allowed or will allow pigs like eusense to squeal about voter rights?
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Sapumal / July 9, 2014
Ignore the Defence ministry announcement as it violate the countries constitution at large. Government is there for the people and by the people. There is no Gotaas or Mahinda rajapaksas country that exist. We the people who enjoy the rights for long time has to continue with the same level. We won the war as
a whole country. Not only because of them. ( history has proven evidence) but that doesn’t mean Rajapaksa clan is our sole owners. We must reject all these atrocities. This is a civil rights issue. Civil society must wake up and have to start protest. Start civil disobedience and do not follow any unlawful orders. Small bunch of thugs can’t undermine entire nation. Don’t follow their orders.
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Punchinilame / July 9, 2014
NGOs will not to guide voters say in
UK US etc but such is very urgently
required in silly LANKA given the
Track record of “Governance” by
this Regime
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Ram / July 9, 2014
Bahrain, yesterday kicked out a diplomat, an American no less, merely for going to see an opposition figure. The guy will leave asap with his tail where it should be. The message : NO interference in Internal matters, and mind you Bahrain is an ALLY of the US.
Yet they have the audacity to demand from us the freedom for the foreign-funded NGO mercenaries to undermine Sri Lanka as and when they order.
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Ram / July 10, 2014
Further, Just yesterday, a Russian visitor to the Maldives was illegally forcibly abducted by the freedom-loving US. Was there any connivance on the part of the Maldivian government ? This is the kind of freedom of action that the US demands for it’s agents from countries like Sri Lanka. Gotabhaya would be well within his rights to curtail such activity (helping the CIA) by imprisoning the NGOs involved.
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Kirri Yakka / July 9, 2014
is this not an extreme measure ?
Seems that Dayan, Malinda and idot Proffessor cannot keep the sensible at bay. They now should change mode to Rajpal daily barking style and contribute to the daily dillusion.
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s.sundaram / July 9, 2014
for several decades ngos’ have been conducting seminars, workshops and press conferences in SL but nothing happened. people continue to support the govt.
the govt. is also very confident about its policies and actions and carries on regardless. now suddenly why the govt. is issuing this fatva. MoD should not worry for some more time. these workshops will not do any harm. this is my considered view.
=sundaram
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TT / July 10, 2014
As far as UN Human Rights are concerned INGO’s have the role and responsibility to act as an inter-phase between the UN Charter and the national govs. NGO’s are supposed to educate and thereby empower civil society or populations. Sadly many ingo’s themselves have already compromised their positions for favors because of their administrators.
The current move my the MoD will only accelerate SL’s current sinking into the dark ages. INGO’s should now educate The Brothers Rajapakse. The Rajapakse’s one can only hope and pray, will submit to some learning for the sake of the country and especially the minority peoples lives in Sri Lanka.
The world should go forwards from barbarity. But then how do you communicate with people like this or drum some good sense into their heads or goodness into their hearts? Many academics themselves are ignorant of Human Rights and resist and belittle them.
I hope our decent Sinhala brethren will think it their duty to vote for right-thinking persons next time rather than vote for people who bring shame to the name of Sinhala or Budhism or humanity with respect to every charter on rights or higher religion.
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