LONDON: People’s Rights Group (PRG), a rights-based advocacy and lobbying group based in the UK particularly dealing with human rights violations in Sri Lanka,has expressed extreme concerns, the dangerous situation developing in Sri Lanka, which has incited nationwide unrest and has led to continuous protests among Sri Lankans fed up with the prolonged crisis.
In a communique released from London, it has pointed out that It has resulted in extreme contempt and distrust of the political establishment, which threatens to undermine democracy, legitimacy and human rights.
This emerging situation has particularly produced a crisis of social trust and disappointment especially for the young generation. Institutions are failing, financial systems are collapsing, rulers are plundering and families are becoming fragile. Besides, the cumulative result of lack of a participatory political culture and widening social inequities are obviously making a mockery of the human dignity and basic rights enshrined in the International Charters and the country’s Constitution. Ever since Sri Lanka gained independence, the rulers’ interpretation of ‘the common good’ has conflicted with the wellbeing of the nation. However, the situation became acute particularly during the present regime which came into power using ethno-nationalism and divisive politics.
In the face of this catastrophic economic crisis, instead of human rights being at the heart of discussions on Sri Lanka’s future, it is concerning to note the Government of Sri Lanka has failed to respect human rights including the right to freedom of movement, freedom of expression and peaceful dissent. On the contrary, the State has aimed at frustrating legitimate protests and dissent as well as the exchange of views on matters of public interest. PRG views with much concern that Sri Lanka’s human rights records lacks international credibility despite Sri Lanka’s repeated assurances to fully comply with international human rights standards, including amending the much controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act, as Foreign Minister G L Peiris assured at the recent UNHRC session in Geneva.
The crisis in Sri Lanka is a prime example of the interdependence and interrelatedness between civil/political rights and economic/social/cultural rights. Sri Lanka has an obligation to guarantee economic and social rights of its people, having ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which include the rights to health, education, social security, adequate food, and an adequate standard of living. Sri Lanka should learn from similar experiences from across the world to avoid serious repercussions, and any austerity measures introduced in Sri Lanka must be based on a human rights assessment.
Amid this dire situation, PRG views with much optimism that the suffering people of the divided nation, deceived by their leaders and constrained by injustice, have chosen for once, to break free from shackles of communal division to come together for another ‘Independence Aragalaya (Struggle)’, to free themselves and their country from neo—colonialism, corruption and mis-management and to protest against unjust political, economic or social conditions. The unfolding tragedy of Sri Lanka, while a matter of grave concern, is also an opportunity to start afresh. It is thus in the interest of the country and its future that the people should not allow this Aragalaya to fizzle out or fail, which may well be the last chance for Sri Lanka to make real political and systemic change.”
