President Wickremesinghe needs to end crackdown -HRW

9 August 2022 06:31 am - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

(New York, August 9, 2022) – Sri Lanka’s new president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, should ensure that his administration adopts measures to protect the basic rights of all Sri Lankans, Human Rights Watch said in a letter published today outlining key human rights concerns. Wickremesinghe was sworn in as president on July 21, 2022, after then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stepped down after months of widespread protests against economic mismanagement and corruption.

Sri Lanka is in the midst of a political, economic, and human rights crisis following years of misgovernance and rights violations. The government should prioritize protecting the public from further hardship by putting in place appropriate social protection policies and addressing endemic corruption, while respecting fundamental rights, including freedoms of expression and association, and ending abuses by the security forces.

“President Wickremesinghe faces immense challenges, but imposing draconian emergency regulations, politically motivated arrests of protest leaders, and heightened surveillance of activist groups will not solve Sri Lanka’s dire problems,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Sri Lanka’s partners have been clear that international economic assistance will only be effective if the government adheres to human rights and the rule of law and addresses the root causes of the crisis.”

On July 18, Wickremesinghe imposed a state of emergency that gives the security forces sweeping powers, suspends numerous basic rights, and imposes harsh penalties for minor or vaguely defined offenses. A day after his inauguration, Wickremesinghe sent the police and military to disperse protesters from a site they had occupied for months in central Colombo. Over 50 people, including lawyers and journalists, were beaten and injured. During the ongoing crackdown on dissent, the authorities have detained at least 30 protest organizers, in many cases without a warrant or using officers in civilian clothes who carry out arrests without due process.

In May, Sri Lanka defaulted on its foreign loans, and the government is currently attempting to negotiate debt restructuring and an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout. The economic crisis has resulted in severe shortages of imported goods, including fuel, and rampant inflation, pushing millions of people into poverty.

Among Human Rights Watch recommendations to President Wickremesinghe are:
   •   Ensure that people are able to freely and peacefully express their views without fear of reprisal or arrest;
   •   Withdraw emergency regulation provisions that are are vague, overly broad, and disproportionate or that violate fundamental rights;
   •   Announce a formal moratorium on the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) until rights-respecting counterterrorism legislation is enacted, and release prisoners arbitrarily detained under the PTA;
   •   Establish a new social protection system that is both adequate to protect everyone’s rights from the effects of the economic crisis and designed to prevent mismanagement and corruption;
   •   Resume Sri Lanka’s participation in the Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) initiative, a World Bank and United Nations partnership to support international efforts to end safe havens for corrupt funds, and commit to doing so as part of an agreement with the IMF; and
   •   Conduct independent and impartial investigations into allegations of serious human rights abuses and high-level corruption, and appropriately prosecute those responsible.

“In recent months many Sri Lankans have bravely taken to the streets to call for reform, accountability for corruption, and the protection of fundamental rights,” Ganguly said. “Instead of trying to silence the protesters, President Wickremesinghe should listen to them.”

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 29

Chris Tuesday, 09 August 2022 07:00 AM

A country needs discipline law and order. Its these idiots like HRW that cannot separate a revolution and Anarchy. When the houses of the MPs as well as Prime Ministers house was burning and our government institutions as well as our government buildings were ransacked and destroyed was HRW sleeping.

Gayan Tuesday, 09 August 2022 07:05 AM

Even DonaldTrumps house were searched by current US govt. Rule of law applies to all.

Hypocrite Tuesday, 09 August 2022 07:26 AM

Tell those to America first. The Trump supporters who did the 'peaceful' protest in America are still in prison there.

Kulasingham, Attorney Tuesday, 09 August 2022 07:26 AM

Ms Ganguly, we agree absolutely every thing you have said about Sri Lanka. But when it comes to your own country’s ghastly human rights violations you have remained conveniently silent . Can you tell me one instant you made any public condemnation about rapes and murders of Muslims by your Indian Army in Kashmir or the mass killings, again by your Indian Army, of villagers in areas where there are separatist movements existing. So,by your lead position in the HRW the Indian Army is shielded from any War Crimes probes.

Sen Rajapaksha Tuesday, 09 August 2022 07:28 AM

Resume Sri Lanka’s participation in the Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) initiative, a World Bank and United Nations partnership to support international efforts to end safe havens for corrupt funds RW has to show courage and start this initiative to show solidarity with the protesters

Poor citizen Tuesday, 09 August 2022 07:41 AM

We as peace loving citizens want the crackdown continue. We need to live in peace, not with violent mobs

Human Wrongs Watch Tuesday, 09 August 2022 07:47 AM

For 90 days Sri Lanka silently listened to the genuine protestors. Protestors built illegal constructions way beyond the designated protest area and blocked entrance to national secretariat that takes decisions to help recover from the economic mess. Politically motivated fractions with a murderous militant past of attacking and robbing arms from army camps encroached the protest and became its leaders. July 9th a protest and broke iron perimeter fences of the country's presidents office, presidents residence, prime minters residence and prime ministers office. Days after chasing the president, they forcefully occupied and remained in the captured government premises, remained in the encroached territory and buildings beyond the designated protest site. July 12th government pushed back the protestors who since then continue to protest within the designated protest site. file legal action if police has used excessive force. But don't white wash wrongs.

Aragalaya International Inc Tuesday, 09 August 2022 07:55 AM

HRW must not have hidden agendas to create instability in Sri Lanka to serve USA's geopolitical agenda to disrupt Chinas trade route plans. Poor people of Sri Lanka are the victims of these economic war games camouflaged as human rights concerns. The Aragalaya (Protestors or agitators) wants a system change. Geo Political actors also must change their system of cunning insincere manipulations that also contributes in destroying small poor nations like Sri Lanka

Sunil Tuesday, 09 August 2022 08:28 AM

The draconian measures adopted recently by the president who does not have a mandate from the people illustrates the fact the Sri Lanka's track record on human rights have reached its lowest depths.

Dolly Dias Tuesday, 09 August 2022 08:31 AM

Human Rights Watch - kindly tell this to Israel and the USA. Don't talk from both sides of your mouth. How can there be Human Rights when there is anarchy in the country. Dolly

Cherath Tuesday, 09 August 2022 08:45 AM

All because, Ranil Wickremesinghe has no obligation to the people of Sri Lanka, as people weren't involved in electing him President. This was due to the mother of all misquotes in the constitution which allowed him to slip through. Therefore Ranil does what he and his 134 backers like. Travesty of democracy!

sooriya Tuesday, 09 August 2022 09:02 AM

HR needs to keep its hands off SL. You guys did nothing when thousands were massacred in 2009. Why don't you advice western countries to adopt the same HR practices that you preach. SriLankans are happy with the new Govt. trying to restore law and order

Jef Tuesday, 09 August 2022 09:33 AM

The country need a fresh election with genuine Reforms President should be elected by majority then have a fresh political team with clean reputation to rebuild the nation's prosperity the country been Ruined by politicians in past with mismanagement dishonesty bribery corruption sri Lanka have a massive debt Central bank got no reserve....we need world Bank IMF UN

European Tuesday, 09 August 2022 10:12 AM

To above commenters: if you had read the worldnews now and then you would know by now that H R W are also addressing other countries. They even rapported very negatively about the refugee care in developed democratic Europe. You will not know if you are a frog in a well.

Voter Tuesday, 09 August 2022 10:13 AM

Looks like that most of the comments are by UNP goons, as it is clear that what is presently happening is that the dead Party is gradually being revived for the next Elections by the President.

Charith Seneviratne Tuesday, 09 August 2022 10:54 AM

This country will never get out of this mess with protests which are orchestrated by and supported by hidden hands. The HRW should keep their hands off SL. RW should crack down hard on these people. The Human rights of the majority of people must be looked after and not just a handful of protesters.

Jayasiri Deshabandu Tuesday, 09 August 2022 11:05 AM

Sri Lanka definitely needs to train its security forces and police to hit people in an arbitrary manner without regard to God given human rights. HRW should request IMF to consider requesting the Sri Lankan government to improve HR and abstain from arresting people that has nothing to do with protests.

johan Tuesday, 09 August 2022 11:48 AM

Must finish the General election then country will return to normal

Karalasingam Sivalingam Tuesday, 09 August 2022 12:07 PM

Genuine protesters have been intruded by drug addicts and criminals leading the protesters to oblivion

Lottery ticket President Tuesday, 09 August 2022 12:12 PM

This President is selected by the Rajapakshas and not the people. Hence his prime duty duty is to safeguard the the interests of Rajapakshas. This man's past records will indicate the human rights violation committed by this great President.

perera Tuesday, 09 August 2022 12:18 PM

RW was the darling of the HRW. What happened to that love affair?

Galkissaboi Tuesday, 09 August 2022 01:13 PM

Gayan, The timing of your comment is unfortunate, the FBI raided Trump's home in Florida yesterday (8th).

Ram Tuesday, 09 August 2022 01:21 PM

HRW must note that Ranil is deaf as with his age he has the decease selective hearing. He must be communicated in writing

Duke of Batalanda Tuesday, 09 August 2022 01:30 PM

In Sri Lanka, the rule of law only applies to average man/woman on the street. A woman who steals a coconut is sent to jail but a thief who robbed the Çentral Bank is ruling the country with no shame. It's a pitty that some Sri Lankans don't care about human rights. What happened on July 9 will happen again. Go for an election and let people decide.

Charith Seneviratne Tuesday, 09 August 2022 01:38 PM

WHY Should the crackdown end ? When there is turmoil with these people other organizations and those with ulterior motives will come in to destabilize this place. Crack down should be done and must be harder than now.

Surain Tuesday, 09 August 2022 02:13 PM

When you read some of the comments I'm surprised how quickly Sri Lankan people have forgotten the past remember country has been ruined by the rulers

Karalasingam Sivalingam Tuesday, 09 August 2022 02:28 PM

Certain degree of firm action needed to tame the violent protesters, drug addicts and criminals, who violate the country's laws and constitution. HRW should do an indepth study regarding our country's current scenario before coming to any conclusion.

Karalasingam Sivalingam Tuesday, 09 August 2022 02:34 PM

Where was the HWR when late J.R. JAYAWARDENA wanted the Tamil minorities to be annihilated, which engineered today's calamity to SriLanka which was then called the pearl of the Indian ocean.

Covered with masks Wednesday, 10 August 2022 11:22 AM

You are telling this to a decent Human rights violators Ranil and Rajapakshas who are specialised in killings is of no use. Ranil started from Battalanda and Gota followed it with white van abduction. RANIL is now continuing with dead bodies all over the country.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

President Wickremesinghe needs to end crackdown -HRW

Comments - 29

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

New Visa procedure implemented

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident