UK’S largest Muslim body to sue Sri Lanka

31 December 2020 09:16 am - 56 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Britain’s largest Muslim umbrella body, the Muslim Council of Britain, is to launch legal action against the Sri Lankan government over its forced cremation policy.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has set up a taskforce headed by Assistant Secretary-general Zara Mohammed, consisting of Uk-based Sri Lankan representative bodies, lawyers, medical experts, and senior leaders of the community.

The MCB taskforce has written to the Foreign Secretary and the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to request an immediate reversal of the ‘forced cremation’ policy and highlight its impact on Muslim and Christian communities.

“The forced cremations of Muslim bodies in Sri Lanka are a serious violation of the religious freedom of a minority group. It is a violation of international law to delay returning a family member’s body for burial in a timely way unless there is good reason to do so. In this case the Sri Lankan authorities have departed from the World Health Organisation’s recommendation for the safe management of a dead body during the coronavirus pandemic without any justification. In addition, the Sri Lankan Supreme Court’s rapid and unreasoned dismissal of the application made by family members of the deceased leaves no domestic remedy to what some have described as ongoing persecution of the Muslim minority in Sri Lanka.we are now preparing to bring this matter to the urgent attention of the United Nations Human Rights Committee for resolution, ”tayab Ali, partner at leading London law firm, Bindmans LLP said.

MCB said the Sri Lankan Government’s policy of forced cremation is unconstitutional in its very nature and continues to devastate the families of the deceased.

“It is now imperative for the international community to urge the Sri Lankan Government to reverse this policy, immediately.the MCB taskforce will pursue the necessary legal action to end this violation of human rights and allow families to bury their deceased with dignity,” MCB said.

The Muslim Council of Britain is the UK’S largest Muslim umbrella body with over 500 affiliated national, regional and local organisations, mosques, charities and schools. (EASWARAN RUTNAM)

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Comments - 56

Shihan Thursday, 31 December 2020 09:29 AM

Leave the Muslims in Sri Lanka to sort it out with their Sinhalese brothers don’t create problems for others

Anuradha Rathnayake Thursday, 31 December 2020 09:35 AM

yes...please, bring it on!

Abraham Dawood Thursday, 31 December 2020 11:25 AM

With her national debt beggars can't afford to be cocky... better reverse it before you feel the wrath of the mighty Brits.

Anuradha Thursday, 31 December 2020 09:39 AM

UK's largest muslim body, if they are so concerned can they take the responsibility of easter sunday attack too?

Chandra Ratnayaka Thursday, 31 December 2020 09:58 AM

You don't have to be so racist. If the government goes against the WHO guidelines of burials, then why is the government expecting a vaccine from the WHO to work? Its people like you who ruin this country.

Hasanda Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:11 AM

Mr Anuradha For your kind info The world muslim league First To Condem the Easter Bombings and immediately Released so millions of Rupees to the victims and Families - You dont read daily news update Better do from today

Cisco Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:13 AM

Good spot on. If they are highly worried about naturally dead persons why didn't they worry about the intentionally killed people?

tarzan Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:16 AM

like the way you responsible for 1983 massacare

BE FAIR Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:22 AM

Absolutely.... Wonder what their thoughts were when the attacks happened. Indeed its a Free World, sue as you wish

Banda Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:51 AM

Good idea! what has Ali Sabry have to say?

Rudra de Zoysa Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:53 AM

Very well said. Rudra de Zoysa

Nowzy Suby Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:57 AM

Mr Anurada, I think you are not reading the latest news in Sri Lanka. You have to ask Ex President Mr.Sirisena about the Easter Sunday attack. Please go and get a life.

decentgent Thursday, 31 December 2020 11:11 AM

Make statements on the subject matter. MCB comprise of members of a certain ethnic community who are raising the issue for the SL govt policy to stop 'forced cremation' which has an impact on the Musims and Christians. The Govt's action is unconstitutional. Re: Easter Sunday attack, one cannot accuse the entire Muslim Community for this devastating actions of a certain radical sect. Every muslim condemned this attack and they were first to render all kinds of assistance to the families of the victims.

Sam Thursday, 31 December 2020 11:17 AM

They only worry about Muslim bodies...

moda sinhalaya Thursday, 31 December 2020 11:27 AM

After you take responsibility for the 1984 massacres.

Banda Thursday, 31 December 2020 11:31 AM

Ok.What is the connection between this and that? Racism ha? This purely a cultural question, health related science issue. Democratic right issue. Your opinion suggest it as a racial issue.

Mori Thursday, 31 December 2020 11:44 AM

why should they or muslims should take responsibility for easter attcaks..?its a barbaric attack by a terrorist called zahran and his associates..what a foolish idea you have mr.anuradha..its like hindus killed gandhi..whites killed martin luther king..or tamils behind all killed sinhalese leaders during war..

F.amith Thursday, 31 December 2020 11:56 AM

Unrelated, bigot. Should I had you responsible for the murders and rape of innocent tamils prior to the civil war and in the end ?

Pran Thursday, 31 December 2020 11:58 AM

Why did they conducted or facilitated the attack ? What is the logic in your question?

Mm Thursday, 31 December 2020 09:51 AM

If god is all forgiving and merciful ? how you ge to him by being blown up, cremated or buried would it matter ? Try to 1st stay alive people. Ask why so many of one community is dying in Sri Lanka.

Jude Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:11 AM

Hey MC of Britain, why DON'T you putta law suit for Middle East countries and Saudi policy for Beheading, stoning to death and chopping people's arms ! Huh???

Jude Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:13 AM

Most Muslims are extremists and the rest are sympathizers and silently endorse extremism !! Yeah !!

Stupid Jude Thursday, 31 December 2020 08:09 PM

Well everyone has their own opinion nah? You probably be a wanker, wanking off at all what you see.

SAFRAN Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:21 AM

Before asking somebody, 1st of all ask your government to take the responsibility who got the intelligence information and kept quit to take the political advantage.... No one will talk about which race or religion those politicians and Security officers who ignored the intelligence information and waited till bomb blasted...is it because there are not from minority ?

Selvakumar Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:22 AM

In this cases the human rights can't be do any decision because it corona virus infection to higher transmission from body's, all religious have to follow the medical guilds line!!!

Selvakumar Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:22 AM

In this cases the human rights can't be do any decision because it corona virus infection to higher transmission from body's, all religious have to follow the medical guilds line!!!

Roshanaly Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:24 AM

Anuradha, are you sure that the whole Muslim Community is responsible for the attack.

AB Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:35 PM

Most,thousands of swords are hiding in mosques,turning them to fortresses to face retaliation of kin and kith of church deaths,

Jude Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:27 AM

It's common practice in North AMERICA and Europe MOST Muslims cremate the deceased DUE to HIGH COST of burial !! Even MOST Christians in western countries do cremate (its totally agianst Christianity) as HIGH COST of plot plus for the tombstone etc.(on average it COST $20,000 to $25,000 MORE for burial and the plot you BUY allowed ONLY for 2 family members for burial )

Lakminiha Thursday, 31 December 2020 12:20 PM

Muslims need not reserve a plot and no tomb stone is necessary to be maintained for life because the same plot can be utilized to bury another body after about 3-4 years.

Jude Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:30 AM

Die from suicide bombing the bombers goes for pieces but cremating COVID victims NOT acceptable!! Huh!!

Gemba Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:30 AM

How come brilliant people become religious crackpots?

Sch Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:57 AM

good ...someone should teach this government a lesson

Lankan Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:58 AM

I want to ask this Muslim Body, Are Muslim Suicide Bombers Who Are Operating All Over The World Given Burial After They Detonate Their Bombs ?

Man Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:59 AM

Challenging the sovereignty of Sri Lanka? Ali Sabri or his students could be there lawyer.

Shane Thursday, 31 December 2020 11:02 AM

Unnecessary headaches for local Muslims

Mohammed Khan Thursday, 31 December 2020 11:15 AM

The MCB is a Muslim Brotherhood tool which lost the governments ear in 2005, when after the London suicide bombings was tasked to find out why British people would become suicide bombers. Their response, get rid of the Jewish holocaust day as they said they found it offensive.

ravin Thursday, 31 December 2020 11:58 AM

Good on you. Is srilanka govern by UK and it's laws? Do you all forgot that srilanka is no more a colony of British empire. All of a sudden when diaspora start opening their gaps we smell cat and rat.

Minority Thursday, 31 December 2020 12:27 PM

We the minorities will slowly leave Sri Lanka and migrate to countries where we can be treated as equals and then the so called Sinhalese Buddhist natives can live alone in peace and continue to be fooled by their opportunistic leaders. There is no point in having any sensible discussion with someone who relates the Easter bombings with covid 19 burials! It shows their character, so sad.

Gayan Thursday, 31 December 2020 12:31 PM

If you die from Corona are you entitled to 72 virgins? Or is just for suicide bombers?

Mori Thursday, 31 December 2020 01:04 PM

suicide bombers or who attacks and kill innocent people are not muslims and not even humans..they don deserve a religious funeral..but real muslims deserve a proper funeral...its none of others business or specially not a business of people of islamophobia..

Ashan B Thursday, 31 December 2020 01:15 PM

@Jude especially there is an absurd view going around that Christians oppose cremation, and that we are too cowardly to object. While individual believers have preferences the Bible has no prohibition on cremation, and as a believing Christian I prefer cremation. However I and I'm sure many Christians stand by ones right to be buried according to conscience, as long as it is safe (like in this case).

Mahinda Herath Thursday, 31 December 2020 01:26 PM

Why dont they first file a case against pakistan for abduction and forced concersions? So much concern for the dead but not the living.

Charith Wicks Thursday, 31 December 2020 01:26 PM

its not a decision taken by Government!! it is the expert opinion (Medical community) which says no to burial. Most not getting this point.

Nomads Thursday, 31 December 2020 01:27 PM

Those who act or call as hardcore patriotic of this country who vandalize Muslims or minorities as terrorists and extremist should understand that will there be a piece of land left in next few years when it becomes a Chinese colony. Those who Selfishly living in favour of cremation should find out or research where does the discharges and poops of covid patients gets drained into earth or are they being evaporated into thin air. Decide to live or not.Stop bull shitting and admit it. For some reason you cannot change the mentality of buffaloes. Only for one community the pcr test result deviates day and night of the deceased that makes the death toll sky scraping. So no wonder the international community gets involved to halt nuisance.Sad story .

jude Cedric Thursday, 31 December 2020 02:15 PM

Ask them to take all sri lankan Muslims to UK... at least one problem is over

Drdesilva Thursday, 31 December 2020 02:28 PM

Maybe the Muslim Council of Britain should think twice, at the end of the day Muslims blow themselves up in terrorism killing innocent people, I say let them burn!!

Fisherman Thursday, 31 December 2020 02:33 PM

Great show guyz...Shows how divided we are. We are educated fools arguing over differences in religion, culture

NIYAS Thursday, 31 December 2020 02:57 PM

Mr. Selverkumar. You better study OL science book before post a comment

Michelle Fernando Thursday, 31 December 2020 04:20 PM

Oh give us a break mn...

Ghty Thursday, 31 December 2020 09:24 PM

I am proud to be a Sri Lankan as some good human beings express freedom of people.

P Fernando Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:07 PM

Let's blow them up. That's how they like it. Easiest way to reach heaven.

MUSLIM Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:13 PM

THE MUSLIMS SHOULD BE PATIENT. THEY WILL HAVE TO FACE RETRIBUTION.. LET ALLAH DECIDE ON THE PUNISHMENT

Sinna Thursday, 31 December 2020 10:30 PM

His eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith specifically and clearly said,during this pandemic, it's not religious rituals important but health guidelines are important,so, without adamant we are ready to bow our heads down

PhD Friday, 01 January 2021 09:31 AM

I think we need a vaccination for racism before a covid vaccine

Zarth De Silva Saturday, 02 January 2021 12:19 PM

Why not find a vaccine to keep peoples mouth SHUT and their minds and body`s working effectively for the benefit of all Sri Lankans !!!

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UK’S largest Muslim body to sue Sri Lanka

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