UN expert to assess SL’s freedom of peaceful assembly

He will also visit Colombo and the provinces

 UN Special Rapporteur Clément Nyaletsossi Voule will visit Sri Lanka from July 18 to 26 to assess the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the country, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said yesterday. 

In a statement he said, “We have seen a commendable effort to expand civic space in Sri Lanka, the establishment of strong and independent institutions, and noticeable strides towards truth and reconciliation in the country. I hope that my visit will aid in the further strengthening of public freedom, at a juncture where the country has had to face important challenges, including the recent and tragic Easter terrorist attacks.”  

Mr. Voule will visit Colombo and the Northern, Southern and Eastern Provinces of the country.   

During his nine-day visit, he will meet government officials, representatives of the judiciary, the legislature, media, civil society and trade unions and Sri Lanka’s Human Rights Commission.   

Mr. Voule will also meet representatives of the United Nations system, international organisations, and other stakeholders in the country.  

He said he would assess a number of issues related to the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, including their intersection with the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, limitations placed on these rights in the context of counter-terrorism and emergency legislation and the exercise of these rights in 
online spaces.  

Mr. Voule will present a comprehensive report on his visit to the 44th session of the Human Rights Council in June 2020. 

During his nine-day visit, he will meet government officials,  representatives of the judiciary, the legislature, media, civil society  and trade unions and Sri Lanka’s Human Rights Commission