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COLLATERAL DAMAGE WILL BE TO ENTIRE COUNTRY'S DETRIMENT
Editor on 01 July, 2008 15:14:44 | 744 times read
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The issue of human rights violations and impunity has reached a critical
juncture that could have far reaching implications for the future well
being of the country. With major international events scheduled to take
place in the coming months, and with the SAARC Summit scheduled for the end
of the month, there had been hopeful anticipation of positive changes for
the better. However, the National Peace Council is distressed that the
continuing human rights violations that take place with impunity in
different parts of the country, including Colombo, will lessen the
prospects for Sri Lanka to successfully achieve its objectives, including
obtaining the GSP+ tariff concessions from the European Union.
The National Peace Council condemns the attack on a journalist belonging to
the Sri Lankan Press Institute, Namal Perera by an armed gang in a white
van in Colombo. Both he and British High Commission political officer
Mahendra Ratnaweera, who was driving the car in which they were traveling
were brutally attacked with clubs. This assault has come shortly after the
Sri Lanka Press Institute decided to take legal action against a
government-controlled newspaper that had published an allegedly defamatory
story about their work, and an earlier search of their office by armed
personnel in military uniform.
The intimidation of those who seek to be an independent voice in society is
a most unacceptable feature of life in Sri Lanka today. We regret that
these human rights violations are taking place despite repeated pledges by
senior government leaders including President Mahinda Rajapaksa to protect
the democratic rights of the people. We regret that not all government
officials speak in one voice on the issue of human rights and democratic
freedoms. We appeal to the government to ensure that it speaks and acts in
a consistent manner that is in accord with human rights and democratic
freedoms even in this time of war. We fear that unless this is done, the
collateral damage to the country as a whole will outweigh by far the
benefits of repression that favour a few vested interests.
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