Human Rights Watch (HRW) called for an end to the harrassment of media outlets and journalists in a report released on Tuesday.
In a statement, HRW said,
"Three years since the conflict ended, in May 2009, the government continues to intimidate and threaten journalists and news organizations that express dissenting views. Senior government officials have called such critics “traitors,” a serious charge in a country where many journalists have been killed."
"The government has failed to bring to justice those responsible for any of the killings or enforced disappearances of journalists in recent years."
HRW's Asia director, Brad Adams, said,
“The government raids did not just target two media outlets but were part of a broader effort to intimidate and harass all critical journalists,”
“Sri Lanka’s poor reputation on free speech will only sink lower unless these assaults on the media stop immediately.”
“The Sri Lankan government has done nothing in response to the media concerns raised by other countries except to dismiss them,”
“This sadly mirrors the response to rights issues more generally.”
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