Amnesty International urged officials in Sri Lanka to ensure that people could vote in the presidential election on January 8 "without fear", amid what it described as a "surge in election-related harassment and violence".
“The growing harassment and violence against those campaigning in the coming elections is deeply troubling – the authorities have a responsibility to ensure that all people in Sri Lanka can exercise their rights to political participation and freedom of expression without facing threats or violence, and that on election day they can vote without fear,” said David Griffiths, Amnesty International’s Deputy Asia Pacific Director.
“Reports of a potential organized plan to obstruct voters on election day – allegedly orchestrated by the government through the military – is also a matter of grave concern," he added.
Stating that the election represented "a chance that must not be missed to turn the corner on human rights" Amnesty called for the new administration to ensure the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and 18th Amendment, the removing of restrictions on freedom of expression and association and an end to the attacks on religious minorities.
See full statement here.
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