Human Rights Watch has in its world report questioned the previous Sri Lankan government for its legacy of abuse on human rights activists and journalists, particularly those urging justice for past war crimes.
Human Rights Watch has in its world report questioned the previous Sri Lankan government for its legacy of abuse on human rights activists and journalists, particularly those urging justice for past war crimes.
The World Report 2015, which was released on Thursday, urged the current government of President Maithripala Sirisena to order investigations into arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and killings since the final military operations in 2009.
In the 656-page world report, its 25th edition, Human Rights Watch reviewed human rights practises in more than 90 countries. In his introductory essay, HRW Executive Director Kenneth Roth urged governments to recognise that human rights offer an effective moral guide in turbulent times, and that violating rights can spark or aggravate serious security challenges.
The short-term gains of undermining core values of freedom and non-discrimination are rarely worth the long-term price, he added. The HRW said that Sri Lanka's new government, elected after the world report was finalised, praised the latter for taking important measures to improve free expression and other rights.
It said that it appreciated the unblocking of news Websites and removal of media restrictions, besides the government's decision to order a fresh investigation into the 2009 killing of journalist Lasantha Wickeramatunge. It all appreciated the lifting of government surveillance and pressure on activists and journalists. It praised the government for asking for a list of all detainees held under the abusive Prevention of Terrorism Act for review.
It said that the failure of the previous government to honour its pledge to provide accountability for war crimes during the armed conflict with the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which ended in 2009, led the United Nations Human Rights Council to pass a resolution on March 27, 2014, calling on the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by both sides to the conflict.
The Sri Lankan government immediately denounced the March UN rights council resolution, and several senior government members threatened to take action against anyone cooperating with the UN investigation. The new government has said that it will engage with the Human Rights Council, and it should take steps to ensure accountability and justice.
"The UN investigation is the first real hope for justice for victims of atrocities on both sides during Sri Lanka's long civil war. Sri Lanka's new government should cooperate with the UN investigation and act to end the previous hostility to justice," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
Also Read: Fanciful to think India intel led to Rajapaksa rout: Romesh Gunesekera
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}