30 July 2020 12:00 am
The Sri Lankan Government should end the targeted arrests, intimidation and threats against the lives and physical security of lawyers, activists, human rights defenders and journalists, a statement issued by ten international human rights organisations said yesterday.
The statement was signed by Amnesty International, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, FIDH & OMCT, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Front Line Defenders, Human Rights Watch, International Commission of Jurists, International Service for Human Rights, Reporters Without Borders and South Asians for Human Rights.
They said a campaign of fear has intensified since the 2019 presidential election, and has cast a shadow over the 2020 parliamentary election campaign as well. The statement said serving and retired military officers have been appointed to a slew of senior government roles previously held by civilians.