A group of United Nations (UN) human rights experts condemned the Sri Lankan Government for cracking down on peaceful demonstrations, urging the state to “guarantee the fundamental rights of peaceful assembly and of expression during peaceful protests,” in a press release this week.
The letter comes as over the last week, Sri Lanka has seen a surge in protests amidst an economic crisis that has destabilized the island and left civilians without access to basic goods. Many have taken to the streets demanding the resignation of incumbent president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
In response, the Rajapaksa government announced a state of emergency; a decree that enables the president to override many laws. A curfew was implemented from 2 April to 4 April preventing civilians from peacefully protesting. Over 600 individuals were arrested for having been in violation of this curfew.
Additionally, the Sri Lankan Government also issued an order to block access to major social media platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter.
UN experts characterized the measures taken by the State as “aimed at discouraging or preventing peaceful protests in the wake of the worsening economic crisis”.
At least 7 journalists were reportedly assaulted by security officers on 1 April.
“We urge the Sri Lankan government to allow students, human rights defenders, and others to protest in a peaceful manner and to freely share their political views... both online and offline,” the statement said.
The UN experts also encouraged the Sri Lankan government to “seek an open and genuine dialogue with peaceful demonstrators” and “find a collaborative resolution to the ongoing economic crisis”.
Sri Lanka has had a history of violating fundamental rights such as the freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. Tamils and Muslims on the island have disproportionately been subject to these violations. Most recently the state has utilized a number of intimidation tactics in attempts to disrupt efforts made by Tamil families of the disappeared to find their loved ones.
The state of emergency along with the social media block has since been lifted.
The experts included Mr. Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Ms. Attiya Waris, Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights, Ms. Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Ms. Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of expression and opinion, Ms. Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.
Read the full statement here.
