The United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief has urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to follow WHO guidelines on the disposal of deceased persons.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Writing to the President, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion said: We would like to encourage your Excellency’s Government to reconsider the provisions in the MoH Guideline by taking into account of the key considerations provided by WHO Guideline for the disposal of the bodies of human beings deceased from the COVID-19, and revise the circular accordingly. In view of the challenges posed by the pandemic it is important that the Government avoids any unnecessary measures that are likely to raise tension and are running contrary to the respect of the fundamental human rights of the persons belonging to different communities that exist in Sri Lanka. Arbitrary decisions concerning the disposal of bodies of victims of the COVID-19 may also have the opposite effect to provoking the reluctance of families and communities to report COVID-19 cases in fear that they may be unable ensure proper funeral or burial rites for their loved ones. Ideally, such provisions should be revised in consultation with all the concerned ethnic and religious communities and other relevant health experts and stakeholders.
“We respectfully reiterate the importance that the Government continues to uphold the right of freedom of religion or belief as well as the right of the minorities even during this challenging time. The protection of the privacy and identity of the patients or deceased without identifying their ethnicity or religious background in public would prevent their stigmatisation as individuals or member of a specific community.
“We are taking the opportunity to stress that it is equally important that your Excellency’s Government firmly condemn any attempt by anyone, irrespective of status, to issue or spread hate messages that are of a nature to instigate ethnic or religious tensions or violence, including through accusations or blame that any particular ethnic or religious community is responsible for the pandemic of COVID-19.”
Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief also ask the President to;
* Clarify the rationale for the decision to limit the method of the disposal of the dead bodies to cremation. Has any consultation been held with relevant health experts, civil society and community members in order to ensure that the decision to prohibit the burial of COVID-19 victims is non-discriminatory, necessary and proportionate to the objective pursued?
* The information if relevant personnel dealing with the disposal of bodies of victims of the COVID-19 have been trained or informed to ensure that the close family member of the deceased get to see the body before it is sealed and that they are informed of the cremation of the body well in advance.
* The measures undertaken to ensure that ethnic and religious minorities, are not discriminated against in the implementation of this MoH Guideline and that their right to freedom of religion or belief with regard to burial rites and practices is upheld and respected.
* The information on the steps taken to tackle potential rise in hate speech against Muslims and other ethnic or religious minorities in Sri Lanka, including by protecting the identity of the COVID-19 patients or deceased?
We publish below the letter in full:
PALAIS DES NATIONS • 1211 GENEVA 10, SWITZERLAND
Mandates of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; the Special Rapporteur on minority issues; and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism
REFERENCE: AL LKA 2/20208
April 2020
Excellency,
We have the honour to address you in our capacities as Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; Special Rapporteur on minority issues; and Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions 40/10, 42/16, 34/6 and 40/16.
In this connection, we would like to bring to the attention of your Excellency’s Government information we have received concerning the circular by the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka providing standard guidance on the autopsy practice and the disposal of COVID-19 related dead body.
According to the information received:
In March 2020, the Ministry of Health published Provisional Clinical Practice Guidelines on COVID-19 suspected and confirmed patients (MoH Guideline). This circular includes a chapter on the autopsy practice and the disposal of dead bodies.
Up till the third version of the MoH Guideline published on 27 March 2020, it was provided that a body related to death either confirmed (Category I) or suspected (Category II & III) of COVID-19, should be disposed within 24 hours (preferably within 12 hours) according to the guidance listed below:
• The body should never be washed under any circumstance.
• Cremation or burial is allowed. However, burial is allowed provided that all steps to prevent contact with body [are] ensured.
• The body has to be placed in an airtight sealed body bag and a sealed coffin.
• The grave should have a depth of 6 feet (deep burial). It should not contaminate with ground water.
• The grave should be identifiable and traceable.
• The disposal of bodies must be monitored by police, Ministry of Health and Public Health Inspector.
• The police and other government agencies must follow the legal aspect and their procedures.
However, on 31 March 2020, the Ministry of Health amended the Guideline and the fourth version with the amendments provided that a body related to death either confirmed (Category I) or suspected (Category II & III) of COVID-19, should be cremated within 24 hours (preferably within 12 hours) according to the guidance listed below:
• The body should never be washed under any circumstance.
• The body has to be placed in a sealed body bag and a coffin.
• Exclusive cremation.
• The disposal of bodies must be monitored by police, Ministry of Health and Public Health Inspector.
We understand that this fourth amendment of the MoH Guideline came following the cremation of a COVID-19 victim of a Muslim community on 31 March 2020 in Negombo, without consultation with and against the wishes of his family. We are concerned that the amendment is inconsistent with the Infection Prevention and Control for the safe management of a dead body in the context of COVID-19 guideline provided by World Health Organisation (WHO Guideline). Furthermore, we are concerned of the lack of consideration provided and the lack of sensitivity in the MoH Guideline to different communities and their religious and cultural practices.
We recognize that the pandemic of COVID-19 has posed serious public health challenges and that there is a need to take various factors into consideration in making sure the spread of COVID-19 is contained. While the reasons for the decision of the Ministry of Health to make such amendment have not been communicated, and do not seem to have been decided with any consultation with the relevant communities, we would like to stress that the legitimacy for such amendments should be based on the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and non-discrimination. Indeed, when cultural or religious sensitivities are involved, an inclusive and participatory dialogue or consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the civil society and different ethnic or religious communities must be conducted before a decision is taken. Such a participatory approach and clear communication to all stakeholders of the steps taken and the reasons for taking such steps, are also more likely to increase public confidence in such measures and minimise public disquiet over such restrictions.
In this regard we would like to bring specific attention to the following:
1. Method of the disposal of dead body- Under the section on Burial, WHO Guideline provides that people who have died from COVID-19 can be buried or cremated. Under the section on Burial by family members or for deaths at home, it further indicated that in contexts where mortuary services are not standard or reliably available, or where it is usual for ill people to die at home, families and traditional burial attendants can be equipped and educated to bury people under supervision. Besides, the WHO Guideline clearly outlined that one of the key considerations is to avoid hasty disposal of a dead from COVID-19.
2. Handling of the dead body- MoH Guideline instructed that the dead body should never be washed under any circumstance and that the body has to be placed in a sealed body bag and in coffin. WHO Guideline does not preclude that a person such as family member or religious leader can prepare the deceased that involved washing, cleaning or dressing body, tidying hair, trimming nails or shaving. It only instructed the necessary safety and health precautions to be taken when any person decided to do so according to their customs or religious rites. It also allows for cloth wrapping.
3. Viewing of body- WHO Guideline also provided that the family wishes only to view the body may do so, as long as the family is given clear instructions not to touch or kiss the body and to use standard precautions at all times. It was furthermore indicated that family and friends may view the body after it has been prepared for burial, in accordance with customs.
By contrast, the MoH Guideline allows the viewing of the body only by close relative/s in a pre-designated area in hospital and it forbids viewing after the body is sealed. Even with this provision in place, some family members of deceased allegedly did not get to see the body before the cremation took place. This has reportedly created a lot of stress to the deceased’s family.
4. Sensitivity to local, customary and religious practices – WHO Guideline has highlighted that the dignity of the dead, their cultural and religious traditions, and their families should be respected and protected throughout. It was advised the need to apply principles of cultural sensitivity or to handle the burial or dead body in accordance with customs while ensuring standard precautions are followed at all time.
We recommend that attention be given in the MoH Guideline to existing cultural and religious sensitivity or traditions in the country. Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) protects everyone’s right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The Human Rights Committee in its General Comment 22 paragraph 4 advises that the freedom to manifest religion or belief may be exercised “either individually or in community with others and in public or private”. It elaborates that the freedom to manifest religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching encompasses a broad range of acts and the concept of worship extends to ritual and ceremonial acts giving direct expression to belief, as well as various practices integral to such acts, including ritual formulae or ceremonial acts.
While the manifestation of religion or belief may be restricted as per Article 18(3) of the ICCPR, to protect public safety, order, health, morals and the fundamental rights and freedoms of others any such limitation must fulfil a number of obligatory criteria including being non-disriminatory in intent or effect and constituting the least restrictive measure. Even in the face of overwhelming public necessity that falls on one or more of the five grounds for permissble limitations noted in Article 18(3), if there is a less restrictive measure, a greater interfernce with the right to manifest one’s beliefs will not be permissible. Given that the WHO Guideline does not discard burial, albeit under specific conditions for the preparation of the body, as one of two means for the disposal of the body, prohibiting burial would not be permissible according to the ICCPR.
Article 27 of ICCPR provides that “In those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities exist, persons belonging to such minorities shall not be denied the right, in community with the other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practise their own religion, or to use their own language.” The 1992 Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities also emphasised that persons belonging to minorities have the right to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practice their own religion, and to use their own language, in private and in public, freely, without any interference or any form of discrimination (article 2.1), and persons belonging to minorities have the right to participate effectively in cultural, religious, social, economic and public life (article 2.2). Moreover, States are required to ensure that persons belonging to minorities may exercise their human rights without discrimination and in full equality before the law (article 4.1) and create favourable conditions to enable persons belonging to minorities to express their characteristics and to develop their culture, language, religion, traditions and customs (article 4.2).
In conclusion, we would like to encourage your Excellency’s Government to reconsider the provisions in the MoH Guideline by taking into account of the key considerations provided by WHO Guideline for the disposal of the bodies of human beings deceased from the COVID-19, and revise the circular accordingly. In view of the challenges posed by the pandemic it is important that the Government avoids any unnecessary measures that are likely to raise tension and are running contrary to the respect of the fundamental human rights of the persons belonging to different communities that exist in Sri Lanka. Arbitrary decisions concerning the disposal of bodies of victims of the COVID-19 may also have the opposite effect to provoking the reluctance of families and communities to report COVID-19 cases in fear that they may be unable ensure proper funeral or burial rites for their loved ones. Ideally, such provisions should be revised in consultation with all the concerned ethnic and religious communities and other relevant health experts and stakeholders.
We respectfully reiterate the importance that the Government continues to uphold the right of freedom of religion or belief as well as the right of the minorities even during this challenging time. The protection of the privacy and identity of the patients or deceased without identifying their ethnicity or religious background in public would prevent their stigmatisation as individuals or member of a specific community.
We are taking the opportunity to stress that it is equally important that your Excellency’s Government firmly condemn any attempt by anyone, irrespective of status, to issue or spread hate messages that are of a nature to instigate ethnic or religious tensions or violence, including through accusations or blame that any particular ethnic or religious community is responsible for the pandemic of COVID-19.
The full texts of the human rights instruments and standards recalled above are available on www.ohchr.org or can be provided upon request.
As it is our responsibility, under the mandates provided to us by the Human Rights Council, to seek to clarify all cases brought to our attention, we would be grateful for your observations on the following matters:
1. Please provide any additional information and any comment you may have on the above-mentioned allegations and concerns.
2. Please provide the rationale for the decision to limit the method of the disposal of the dead bodies to cremation. Has any consultation been held with relevant health experts, civil society and community members in order to ensure that the decision to prohibit the burial of COVID-19 victims is non-discriminatory, necessary and proportionate to the objective pursued?
3. Please provide information if relevant personnel dealing with the disposal of bodies of victims of the COVID-19 have been trained or informed to ensure that the close family member of the deceased get to see the body before it is sealed and that they are informed of the cremation of the body well in advance.
4. Please indicate the measures undertaken to ensure that ethnic and religious minorities, are not discriminated against in the implementation of this MoH Guideline and that their right to freedom of religion or belief with regard to burial rites and practices is upheld and respected.
5. Please provide information on the steps taken to tackle potential rise in hate speech against Muslims and other ethnic or religious minorities in Sri Lanka, including by protecting the identity of the COVID-19 patients or deceased?
This communication, as a comment on pending or recently adopted legislation, regulations or policies, and any response received from your Excellency’s Government will be made public via the communications reporting website within 48 hours. They will also subsequently be made available in the usual report to be presented to the Human Rights Council.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration.
Ahmed Shaheed
Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
JD / April 14, 2020
On ahmed saheed is a a Huamn rights worshipper. worked against Iran: that says all;
Ahmed Shaheed assumed his mandate as Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief. He is Deputy Director of the Essex Human Rights Centre. He was the first Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran since the termination of the previous Commission on Human Rights mandate in 2002. A career diplomat, he has twice held the office of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives
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Sam Fernando / April 14, 2020
New SRILANKA ‘s problems of the day
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Racism is in their blood, if they are supporters to RAJAPAKSHES clan.
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We were lucky, though it was not painted as such – in the previous 4-5 years, we had been enjoying too much freedom – until MODAYA Sirena fell back on the lap of MAHINDA RAJAKASHE. Sirisena did not allow RW govt to go for it – that was the truth…. Ranil was not the head of the govt – even if he is being blamed for the mess. SIRISENA is beyond all ethics and morals – his defeat is even worst than that of AMERICAN president-BUSH JUNIOR prior to OBAMA.
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There are two main groups in the country today- that believe that the SINHALAYA should be kept above the law while the minorities be further treated as foreigners- this thinking is strenghthened by some groups of monks – that are licking the balls of Rajapakshes and vice versa. Rajaakshes are blatant mlechcha by every nature, going by their births in Beliaththa area. In my younger days, I heard my elders saying, ” Beliaththe, rascals would never allow decent peoples live their dignified life styles”. Recallign that past, I happened to the criticisms made by former President CBK – the way she described them – UNCULTURED- UNCIVILIZED BASTARDs.
There aer decent people in SL so as the case in anyother country – but most of them live hidden and passive for some reasons – they just care their day today life -but not commenting on anything. Most among those BUDDHAGAMA followers – by birth, they believe what they have been following is true buddhism – their GURUs be them SAMANTHA Badra, Maedagoda BP Abhayathissa or others – they dont care about the priests being said, but nod their heads as if PINGONAS would do
This process goes like a vehicle would not find its way out of a round about – nothing seems to change
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JD / April 14, 2020
One Maldive govt is pro-western and the other is Pro-Indian. So, we get the story.
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Fathima fazal / April 14, 2020
Hello, I’m fathima from a normal middle class family , my only request is to bury covid19 muslim funerals and never cremate please . We did not ask to stop cremate covid19 sinhalese funerals . As a Muslim We are asking only to bury covid19 muslim funerals please take it as a serious important message. Please ?
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Fathima / April 14, 2020
Fathima, I’m in your same circumstances but we must not demand these things now. It is a pandemic. All Muslims must be cremated like others.
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Frustrated sinhalaya / April 14, 2020
If entire world would request so, the super-spread of the disease would be inevitable.
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I have no idea – please check it in Indonesia if they bury or cremate
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I have seen in US they bury
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I have seen in ITALY they bury
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Govt of SRILANKA shold consider the wish of these people, just because they the duo feels it is right, … it should not be.. this is all about the respect being given to the dead – we know Rajapakshes are blatant sinhalayas with no peity to any thing but wearing also PIRITH noole around their penises.
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Ashan / April 14, 2020
Not according to the UN Fathima, that is according to a racist government and it’s organized trolls here.
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Real Revolutionist / April 14, 2020
Fathima Fazal
Dead bodies don’t have life, don’t you know that?
So support the idea of burning all the corona infected bodies when they’re dead.
There’s no difference between a dead body & firewood.
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Raj / April 14, 2020
CT, your headline is misleading. This letter is not from the UN but from a special rapporteur affiliated with the HRC (Human Rights Com). He is not in UN’s pay roll either. Then, who is a special rapporteur?
As per Wikipedia “Rapporteurs do not receive any financial compensation for their work from the United Nations, though they receive personnel and logistical support from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and are often backed by CHARITIES and CORPORATIONS. Each year, rapporteurs get together for an annual meeting in Geneva, where they discuss issues of common interest, coordinate their work and meet with a range of STAKEHOLDERS, including STATES and CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS.[2]”
Sri Lankans (not just Gota) are concerned about the above (capitalized) individuals and organizations that come out of their dens against Sri Lanka for $$$ whenever there is some rubble to arouse.
I checked their past work briefly just for the fun of it.
Surprisingly they appear to be writing against the so-called poor countries only? For me, that’s the issue; not the burial nor the cremation of a carcass!
Role description
Special Rapporteurs often conduct fact-finding missions to countries to investigate allegations of human rights violations. They can only visit countries that have agreed to invite them.
Aside from fact-finding missions, Rapporteurs regularly assess and verify complaints from alleged victims of human rights violations. Once a complaint is verified as legitimate, an urgent letter or appeal is sent to the government that has allegedly committed the violation. If no complaint has been made, Rapporteurs may intervene on behalf of individuals and groups of people of their own accord.
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SJ / April 14, 2020
“rubble to arouse” ???
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Leelagemalli / April 14, 2020
u KNOW srilanka is a country filled with idiots.
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jUST imagine that GMOA and their actions – as if they are the pioneering researchers in the country to head the panel, but what this good doctor reveals, amidst CHAPA the bps further lick the balls of Rajakshes
.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx-j_8QUSpc
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All in all, misleading of the VULNERABLE in this country is their gems… then only RAJApakshe IDIOTS can live on their mantra.
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I believe, Rajapakshes woudl be CORNERED to the manner TSUNAMI hit the west coast, if PEOPLE would get together and show them that they more knowledgble than appeared to be.
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soma / April 14, 2020
Thanks for this information Raj.
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Soma
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Ashan / April 14, 2020
I guess it is the poor countries that need to be corrected often. It is the poor countries that beg for loans and endless charities, and until it is given these poor countries praise the UN, IMF and other agencies.
Once the charity comes in, and we are corrected for the blunders we keep making, then we bite the hands that feed us, and show our arrogance. Looking at the comments here, you can see that arrogance.
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JD / April 14, 2020
Ahmed Saheed writes letters because that is what his employer wants. He is a career diplomat. So, I think, he is a gentleman (Mahathma)just like the JORDAN PRINCE who earlier held this position.
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Sampath / April 14, 2020
Gota wants to have election within the prevailing pendamic situation. He prepare all steps toward such a move. He lost the opportunity to have a big media show with easter Sunday attack regarding last year bomb blast and making several arrest. Also he had another big media show relates to Dr. shafi. Both dramas and clips prepared to air by Derana and Hiru TV is waiting to air but the corona virus killed their plan.
Dilith was angry with corona as it missed the opportunity and now hldilith together with health officers including Dr Anil start to revenge Muslims and trying their best to link the Corona spread with Muslim and build another anti Muslim hate campaign together with oppressive gazzet to prohibit burial of corona infected dead bodies.
Unfortunately almost all the doctors, health officers and lawyers from bhudhist community with few exception buy what Dilith of Derana together with Gota spread the conspiracy to maintain anti Muslim mentality to retain majority of the uninformed Sinhalese votes.
Not UN even the God comes to earth and tell Gota to stop his dirty acts of promoting anti Muslim sentiment with Dilith will not be stopped.
At least WHO expell Dr Anil and other Srilankans from enjoying WHO office with immediate effect.
All the foreign medical universities should take steps to maintain detail of SriLankan medical doctors behind the racist activities and should not allow them.to come for post graduate studies or foreign summits relating to medical studies.
Gota like to swimm on dead bodies of minority communities and that’s what he continue last ten years using his mob monks. Few medical doctors and media.
All the SLPP members are having blood and dirt in their hands and now they hold dead bodies ashes too.
Shame on you Gota. I am sure Gota wife too afraid to sleep with him as his hands are having bloods of several anarchy in the country.
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sarrij / April 14, 2020
Makes sense.
Reasonable and practicable approach.
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Piyadasage_Punchi koluwa / April 14, 2020
This comes timely. Gota should basically learn that he is president not only those slaves that voted for him, but also muslims, sinhalaya, tamils and others that stood against his criminal records.
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Sadly we belong to the only NATION (dominated by racists) to have targeted on minorities also at this grieving moments while all others nations are busy with new strategies how they have to save the next human loss…. how buddhist our nation has been – is now becoming even clearer… so called predominantly buddhist nation – my foot !
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So burials rights should be respected by all srilankens equally. In the same time, Gota should not pave the way his biased media to allow hate speech to the minorities.
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Now Gota will have to rebuke this with ” HIK HIK”…. usual wolf smile – re,member guys how this bugger behaved in that FAMOUR BBC interview some 7 years ago or so ?
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Ashan / April 14, 2020
The minority that voted for this lot, despite KNOWING how racist they are, their support for the BBS, and the disregard for the safety of the minority, are not very smart people. They simply asked for trouble when they voted for this bunch of crooks.
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babalath appu / April 14, 2020
Best would be both DUO be caught by VIRUS and let the place vacant for an another leader who could be the president for all ethnic groups.
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Gota is servile to his brother et al, – else he could do a great job amidst this crisis – winning the hearts and minds of all – if done so. But there is a saying – dog#s tail would never be straightened even if it would have been put in a bamboo sheath – that saying fit faust auf die Auge to Brother duo their racism is in their blood. THat is how their politics let breed more of racists today than prior to mid 90ties.
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Leelagemalli / April 14, 2020
International community should question, why BROTH DUO seem not allowing SLRC and ITN to be used as state media. Why should DERANA and HIRU TV channels be given a place above the law ? At the time, british premier was taken to ICU, HIRU TV s head line was misleading the nation – which says that UK PM’s condition is serious. No matter people inthis country would be caught by unncessary, unexpected uncertainities, anxities,, Derana and HIRU TVs spread big lies as their HEAD LINES.
That is becoming a threat to this nation while being squeezed by the restrictions being imposed on them due to the current crisis plus.
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Abhaya Premawardena / April 14, 2020
Ahmed Shaheed
Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
Holy crap this is a MUSLIM ?
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Navin / April 14, 2020
The UN has been very clear, and has not left anything out. You can predict that the Rajapaksa supporters here will attack the UN as usual, but if anyone had a half a brain, and was able to take the racism out of it, they will realize that the burial of the dead, is not applicable to Sri Lanka only, and that they can stop acting like victims. Many nations, including the US, are burying their dead, especially as the crematoriums are full, and the process is getting delayed. Will the Rajapaksa’s once again show defiance to the UN, or will they, at a time of crisis, just accommodate the minority here, and make things easy for everyone.
What will the Rajapaksa’s also do about the hate speech going on right now, in the media, and social media? It is up to THEM to set the tone, condemn it, and ask for unity, not division in this country. Their silence has also allowed Modi trolls to join in the fray, making ugly hate filled remarks in these websites, as they interfere in our country.
Are the Rajapaksas so desperate that they must allow the anti Muslim campaigns, every time there are elections around the corner?
Their silence is deafening.
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Unreal / April 14, 2020
The very name of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief is anathema to good many of the ruling class. What would happen to this letter. Burial or cremation?
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K.A. Sumanasekera / April 14, 2020
Will this UN Dude add more charges to the War Crimes Charge Sheet against Prez Nandsena for cremating Corona Infested corpses with out the express consent of the ex UNP Minister Mr Rauf Hakeem and his Board of Mullahs in Akurana
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BTW Wonder whether the UN boss issued instruction to the New York governor, who is burying thousands of Corona Victims in Mass graves ,well away from main population centers to protect the the inhabitants from Corona?…
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Saman / April 14, 2020
Rajapaksha Family and their own regime was crushed to the ground in 2015.
Most of them and their henchmen would have been in jail but Sirisena and Ranil paved the way to be in the power again.
From the beginning of their political campaign they created that bitter racist slogan along with some yellow robe slaves.
Some of their companions said that they are the people who provoked that attack on 21st of April.
Now Sri Lankan can not save the country.
UN or some foreign power should take any action against Rajapakshas to expel them from that military power.
Or COVID-19 should embrace them well.
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Ashan / April 14, 2020
Ranil and Sirisena, are all in bed with this disgusting lot. If they acted like honest leaders, and did the right thing, our country would have been in a better shape today, than saddled with this racist dictators.
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Amarasiri / April 14, 2020
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief ,
RE: Respect Burial Rights; Stop Hate Speech Against Muslims: UN Tells Gota
“The United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief has urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to follow WHO guidelines on the disposal of deceased persons.”
In Sri Lanka, the Land of Native Veddah Aethho, currently occupied and controlled by the Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhists”, who are distorting Buddhism and insulting Buddha, do not respect, race, ethnicity or religion of others. The evidence for that is the 30-year civil war with the Tamils. This was the basic reason for the separatist war with the LTTE Tamils.
What you have here is a complete disregard for the WHO guidelines, UN Resolutions, human rights etc., by the Para-Sinhala Para-Buddhists, that has impacted the Muslims and Christians, for their traditions and beliefs, (irrespective of the validity of the beliefs, alter all they all are beliefs) , and giving room only for the Racist beliefs of the- Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhists”, and making a unilateral determination on cremation.
That is why they, the Para-Sinhala Para”Buddhist” state is ignoring the WHO guidelines on the disposal of deceased persons , who died because of the Wuhan China-19 virus, renamed COVID-19 virus. To add insult to injury, the Para-Sinhala Para-Buddhists are accusing the Para-Muslims for the COVID-19 virus spread.
What are you going to do about this racism, that was always implicit, but was quite explicit recently?
UN Sanctions, like what was imposed to South Africa a during Apartheid?
PS. Para- is shortened form for Para-deshi, stranger outsider. alien.
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roy / April 14, 2020
Do We need all these when We are heading for the biggest recession in history. Rajapakses want only to win the election by 2/3 majority. They are power hungry ,they brainwash the poor people with their media ,so many are going to die in hunger . This will be another jackpot for the Rajapakses when charity door opens like the Tsunami funds. I hope our naive Srilankans won’t fall for it.
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Bruno Umbato / April 14, 2020
UN is a body who employ the retired and unemployable persons from countries around the world … Many of higher UN positions are from ‘developed’ west and they hire corruptible and easily bendable men/women from ‘developing’ countries to do their dirty work for ‘selected’ countries which are going differently to their master’s (west) wishes.
One of the wishes is to keep these countries under their control. Best way to do that is to create chaos in those countries. One tactic they employ is to go against the way things which these countries successfully do and writing ‘love’ letters like above and publish in the media. SL is the best country in the world to control the COVID-19, up to now. Masters of these UN guys are uneasy about that achievement.
They threaten, scream and shout at Sri Lanka while mentioning ‘toothless’ Human Rights Council.
Gota should ignore these non sense letters. He has lot of things in his plate to handle (more than 23 million his citizens to protect from COVID, feed them, jump start the economy, conducting elections, carry out faster development and thousand other things.
Gota, Please ignore this guy. Let theses guys who have no work to do except writing love letters from New York where people are dying thousands but no letters to them . Replying ‘love’ letters to these unemployable, unskilled trouble makers at this juncture is really unnecessary and wasting your (Gota’s) time. Gota not only once save the country from ruthless terrorism now embark up on eradicating the deadly virus to save the country second time.
He has no time to waste, Ahmed Shaheed.
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Upali / April 14, 2020
Giving into sentiments of people unable to think rationally is more dangerous than Corona 19. Ethnic scars created by erratic behaviour could give rise to a bigger virus Corona 20 which will haunt us for ages.
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roy / April 14, 2020
Rajapakses don’t care ,they want power and money. They don’t care about the future ,with their ill gotten money they will be welcome in other countries.
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Mallaiyuran / April 14, 2020
Here is an interesting thing. It is so unbelievable for me so even I don’t know if it is something really happened or only a joke. You readers determine who has the respects more for religions, who respect the freedom of expression.
After Corona (I like the word “Corona” rather than Covid-19 because it sounds like familiar name Karuna) started to spread in Lankawe, the Lankawe police cleared Swiss pastor through Customs & immigration, escorted him to Jaffna though many Rapist Army checkpoints, which have mushroomed after election in between Colombo and Jaffna, where even pregnant women and dead old bumps must get off from vehicles and walk while carrying their bags. Then the pastor infected at least 7 persons in Jaffna. That prompted the Rapist Army enforce 27/7 stringent curfew for more than three weeks. He was paid for his services and with escort again sent out back to Swiss. Tamil news (Probably some Hindu Vedanthies took on a selfie) is showing today a clip from London. Yesterday, Easter Sunday, a Tamil Pastor was preaching on the road. Nobody came to hear the message of Our Lord other than two London Metro police officers. They promptly arrested him & confiscated the wooden cross was on his hand. He was exasperating, saying “is this happening in Landon, England (or in Lankawe?) . Shouldn’t I talk about Karthar(The Lord)? What respect given here for religions?” Compare the way Christians country treating Christian Pastor on Easter Sunday with the Buddha Agama country which is under Kandy Ayatollahs’ jackboots, treated the Swiss pastor.
Why the UN is writing this for Lankawe, instead for London Police.
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ROHAN JOHNPILLAI / April 14, 2020
sad shitty sorry Sri Lanka, who think that they are the worlds best-undisputed bulls in a china shop have for many a moon has requested the UN and now the WHO in no uncertain terms have been brazenly asked to do an f…?
they have assumed and presumed that the sun is always all 24 hours of the day shines on their backsides.?
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even during the cursed war which unceremoniously ended in a victory under an illegal methodology these organizations have been in a kind decent manner wanted inevitable human right failures to be rectified but are sad to note that all these recommendations cum requests have been wilfully ignored and have been dumped into many a waste bin.
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being a brainless para demala reading through the suggested guidelines I find that they are very well defined and easy to be adopted.
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oh no, the yaks will continue to punish and take revenge from the Muslims for not casting their sacred ballots at the November 2019 elections.
they are also affected very badly by the fact that that the minorities are the kingmakers who not only control the economy and are among the wealthiest in this nation of beggars.
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if during the few days in which a mass killer was given a presidential pardon without taking into a humane consideration for the victims does not believe that this sitting on his tiny midget of a brain will give two hoots to the very well laid out guidelines and procedures by the WHO.
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the beggar nation with the Lord Buddha’s begging own has thumbed its noses at the world again, I want the world at this last stage should have the balls to impose many a sanction most likely economic sanctions and the non-issuance of visas for the yaks to galavant around the earth polluting every nook and corner.
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action needed right away to protect the rights of the minorities. R. J.
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SarathP / April 14, 2020
But Gota can’t understand the formal English of this letter! Neither can his goons.
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Simon De Silva / April 14, 2020
That spineless GLP will guide him sooner or later.
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I have the feeling this would not go this far, if bps repected burial rights of the people at the begining. Press -shy gota will stay inside his cage, all is being done by PRESS-GEIL Mahinda Jarapakshes
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Gota is said tob e BAGGAE boy of Mahinda because his presidency is bought by misleading tactics of BP Mahinda.
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Citizen Silva / April 14, 2020
Did UN give the same advice to Donald Trump ?
UN is only a tool of western, capitalist nations and the NATO alliance.
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Ashan / April 14, 2020
Before you get your knickers in a twist they did not have to. The US is already burying their dead. Sri Lanka is the only nation that refused to be humane and considerate….as usual. The UN and it’s agencies are only praised when we want to beg for loans.
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Native Vedda / April 15, 2020
Citizen Silva
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“Did UN give the same advice to Donald Trump ?”
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Please ring US embassy on +94 (11) 249-8500.
Let us know the details.
By the way the victims are being buried.
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“UN is only a tool of western, capitalist nations and the NATO alliance.”
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Doesn’t the China use the same tool just like western, capitalist nations and the NATO alliance.?
If you feel bad about being part of the UN system why don’t you get your president American Gota to pull out of all institutions that are connected to UN, including FAO, WHO, IMF, ADB, IAEA, ILO, IMO, ITU, ILO, UNESCO, UPU, WBG, …… WBG, UNIDO, ….
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You should bring the saffron brigade out on the streets to protest against UN and its affiliated international organisations until they leave.
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K.A. Sumanasekera / April 15, 2020
Dear Native,
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Has this UN done anything good for the 70% of the Inhabitant population bar the UNP. JVP, and Ponseka Party supporters ?.
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If they have let me know please ?
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Native Vedda / April 15, 2020
KASmaalam K.A. Sumanasekera
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“Has this UN done anything good for the 70% of the Inhabitant population bar the UNP. JVP, and Ponseka Party supporters ?.”
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You silly little islanders believe/pretend as if you possess sovereignty (whatever that may mean), especially since 1948 (as if your grandfather’s shed blood, fought the colonisers finally retrieved it) have any of your political, business and religious leaders done anything that can be considered as good other than their “b***s carriers)?
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Those crooks never missed an opportunity to start and sustain conflicts from which they benefited politically, in that process they ensured the destruction of this island and the people, along with justice, peace and tranquility, respect for awakened one’s teaching, especially since 1956.
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Just one year before the election Gota the hangman made scathing comment on Hindia. After the elections the shameless bogus hero of America’s wild west or Vanni went all the way to Sultanate of Delhi with his begging bowl , received some loose change ($550 Million) Modi (toiletless) Chaiwala.
Later his brother went all the way to Modi and begged for a character certificate from Modi so that the other lenders can be asked to postpone repayment which is due in a few months.
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Why Sould a sovereign country tolerate foreign intervention?
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Because your leaders are shameless beggars, beggars can’t be choosers, and in the 72 years of running the country they have so into themselves never learned a lesson from the past.
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Stop whingeing, and annoying.
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Abu Mukarram / April 14, 2020
THANKS TO UN. BUT WILL IT PROVE TO BE A TOOTHLESS TIGER
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VADC / April 14, 2020
Ahmed Shaheed, please mind your own bussiness. Go fuck your self !!!
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Dr Mark. H. M. Shiraz / April 14, 2020
Thank you for the attention given for this religious sensitive matter. As Muslims we like to live according to the the complete way of life of Islam to get maximum reward from almighty Allah and protect our selves from the punishment from him in the hear after. We will be thankful to you if you as humanitarian world organisation to emphasise the right of burial of Muslim covid 19 infected deadbodies according to the proper WHO guidelines not in Sri Lanka but also in the whole world.
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soma / April 14, 2020
Dr Mark
What happens to the soul if the body is burnt to ashes?
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Soma
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Dr M. H. M. Shiraz / April 14, 2020
Thank you for the attention given for this religious sensitive matter. As Muslims we like to live according to the the complete way of life of Islam to get maximum reward from almighty Allah and protect our selves from the punishment from him in the hear after. We will be thankful to you if you as humanitarian world organisation to emphasise the right of burial of Muslim covid 19 infected deadbodies according to the proper WHO guidelines not in Sri Lanka but also in the whole world.
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S. A. M Misthahim / April 14, 2020
Sir. / mom
My country decision makers purposely took this moral decision
Me and my community very disgrace this difficult time
Thank you for the your needful support and guidance
Thank you
Misthahim
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Leelagemalli / April 14, 2020
SAM, Mistham,-
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not all are like BABARIANA Rajapakshes
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If Italians would not cremate,
If US would not cremate
If all others would not, why to force to cremations ?
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Please wait, the WHO will pay their due attention taming bps sooner than later. Dont let this be an issue to make divisions in the naton.
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Rohan / April 14, 2020
Good but the UN seems to be doing nothing regarding hate speech , discrimination, war crimes and genocide against Tamils . Why this double standards
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Shaheed / April 14, 2020
We muslims need burial our vivid 19
Victims sri lanka government not allowed that
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Desperate Sinhalaya / April 14, 2020
SHAHEED, please fight FURTHER for your rights. If they come with that no places would be available, they should find special places in any of the parts of srilnaka, because you guys are also srilankens and you should be treated with same rights.
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We the sinhalayas that see it happening in the US, why not in srilanka.
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GATAM / April 14, 2020
Shaheed, Pakistani government allows burial for Muslims. Pakistan welcomes all south Asian Muslims. SL welcomes all south Asian Buddhists.
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