Ahead of mass protests in Colombo, US ambassador for Sri Lanka and the UN Human Rights Office have urged Sri Lanka’s military and police to show restraint in responding to protests.
Violence is not an answer. If you are going to protest, please do so peacefully. And reminding military & police to grant peaceful protesters the space and security to do so. Chaos & force will not fix the economy or bring the political stability that Sri Lankans need right now.
— Ambassador Julie Chung (@USAmbSL) July 8, 2022
#SriLanka: Ahead of large demonstration in Colombo on Saturday, 9 July, we urge authorities to show restraint in the policing of assemblies & to prevent violence. All Sri Lankans have the right of freedom of expression & peaceful assembly: https://t.co/hB25LWyQUG pic.twitter.com/ip7pF9vmxJ
— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) July 8, 2022
Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has slammed the response of Sri Lankan authorities stating:
The worsening economic situation has led to increasing tensions in the last weeks. Reports have been received of several confrontations between individuals and members of the police force and the armed forces at fuel stations where thousands of desperate members of the public have queued for hours and sometimes days[...]
Police have used tear gas and water cannon at times in an unnecessary and disproportionate manner. On occasions, armed forces have also fired live ammunition. All Sri Lankans have the right of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and the right to participate in public affairs, which are particularly important in critical phases of the nation’s life. Under applicable international law, gatherings can only be dispersed in exceptional cases, with use of force a last resort where absolutely necessary and proportionate[...]
We also call on the authorities to give clear instructions to the security forces that human rights defenders and journalists have a right to monitor and report on the demonstrations and therefore should be protected in the exercise of these functions and not obstructed in any way.
The statements follow an abrupt curfew late Friday evening, amidst reports of security forces firing tear gas and using a water cannon on protesters. The protest in the country's capital are a response to dire economic crisis in Sri Lanka which has seen mass shortages in basic goods such as food, fuel and medicines.
A recent survey conducted by Save the Children revealed that more than a third of families in Sri Lanka have been struggling to feed their children as a result of the country’s economic crisis. Footage has also circulated of military officials abusing citizens queuing for fuel.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka lodged its “strong protest” at the imposition of a “purported curfew”, with its head Saliya Pieris stating it is “illegal and a blatant violation of fundamental rights”.
There is nothing called 'police curfew' under the Police Ordinance. The declaration of curfew is illegal and a blatant violation of fundamental rights. pic.twitter.com/1w1wFXuXPn
— Saliya Pieris (@saliyapieris) July 8, 2022
Despite the curfew and ramped-up security presence, the Inter-University Students Federation pledged to “surround Colombo”.
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