14 May 2019 12:02 pm
All parties in Sri Lanka should take appropriate action to immediately stop hateful attacks in order to prevent recent violence from being escalated even further, the UN said on Tuesday.
In a joint statement on Sri Lanka, UN Special Adviser on Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng and UN Special Adviser on Responsibility to Protect, Karen Smith, said it was in the interest of all ethnic and religious groups in Sri Lanka, as well as the government, the opposition, civil society and the security sector, to work collaboratively in taking appropriate action and immediately stop these hateful attacks.
“The country is trying to move forward from a traumatic period of inter-ethnic armed conflict, but these attacks are pushing Sri Lanka backwards. If not adequately dealt with, the recent violence has the potential to escalate even further,” they said.
Recalling their recent statements against violent extremism and hate speech, the two advisers said they were alarmed about the growing acts of violence on the basis of religion, including attacks against homes, places of worship and businesses in the North Western Province of Sri Lanka.
The Special Advisers noted a recent spate of attacks against Muslim and Christian communities in Sri Lanka, where the majority are Buddhists. “The recent violence in Sri Lanka has highlighted a growing influence of nationalist and extremist views of identity in the Asia region, putting religious minorities at risk,” they said.
The Special Advisers acknowledged and welcomed the swift response of the government, including deploying security forces to protect affected communities, addressing the spread of false information and incitement to violence.
They also encouraged the government to make sure that these and other past similar attacks are fully investigated and those responsible for instigating or committing these violent acts are brought to justice and made accountable.
They added that the government needs to give the example that it will not tolerate the spread of prejudice and hate among groups within its population.
“This needs to be done at national and local level, by putting an end to local discriminatory practices that perpetuate religious intolerance and violence”.
Mr. Dieng and Ms. Smith also offered their support to work with the government on inter-faith and inter-religious harmony and inclusivity.
The Special Advisers concluded by stating that “Sri Lanka has a pluralistic society. To be a Sri Lankan is to be a Buddhist, to be Hindu, to be a Muslim, to be a Christian. All these communities are entitled to their identity, to freely exercise their religion and to live in peace and security in Sri Lanka, as recognised by the country’s Constitution. We call on all Sri Lankans to respect one another,”