Amnesty International Chief calls for genuine efforts for lasting reconciliation, democracy

• Opines successive Governments, religious leaders and others have failed to deliver justice, truth and reconciliation 15 years since end of conflict
• Warns of growing restrictions to right to peaceful protest, freedom of expression and dissent
• Urges Govt. to repeal draconian PTA, reconsider Anti-Terrorism Bill, Online Security Act and proposed NGO law 
• Terms these are worrying evidence of dangers currently confronting Sri Lanka’s vibrant civil society 
• Given elections describes 2024 can define future of human rights considerations and democracy 

Amnesty International (AI) yesterday urged for genuine political and religious will to ensure meaningful reconciliation in Sri Lanka and called on the Government to reconsider draconian legislation that stifles democracy.

The emphatic suggestion was shared by AI Secretary General Agnès Callamard who concluded a five-day visit to Sri Lanka. Her visit was timed with commemoration of 15 years since the end of the 30 year conflict in the North and East that left tens of thousands of people injured, dead, displaced, or forcibly disappeared. 

Callamard expressed regret that the country hasn’t achieved the desired level of justice and reconciliation since whilst there are growing signs of restrictions to right to peaceful protest, freedom of expression and dissent. 

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“But it is not just successive Governments that have failed the victims and the people of Sri Lanka. All those in positions of leadership, from elected officials to opposition leaders, the religious establishment and the national media, have failed to hold the line on the fight against impunity,” she opined.

“Given Presidential and Parliamentary elections, this year will define the future of Sri Lanka, its human rights considerations and democracy,” Callamard told journalists in Colombo.

She emphasised that the political leadership of the country must implement trust building measures that will address divisions, encourage inter-ethnic solidarity, and provide avenues for meaningful healing. 

“A seemingly lack of political will, along with complacency in delivering justice, prevents reconciliation, feeds grievances, and promotes instability. There should be no room for complacency. It is imperative to address past wrongs; and make a conscious effort to create an enabling environment for redress while the Government considers the establishment of a new Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” she stressed.

During her visit, she met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, civil society representatives, human rights defenders, activists and victims among others. She also toured Mullaivaikkal in the North, the place where the conflict ended in May 2009 and where thousands of people commemorated their lost kith and kin or those forcibly disappeared during the war.

“This visit has provided insights into the many challenges that Sri Lanka is confronting 15 years after the end of the war that has fractured and polarised Sri Lankan society,” Callamard said. “I am deeply grateful to all those who engaged with us, recounting their pain and grief, sharing their views and concerns, and voicing their hopes, fears and demands for the present and the future.” 

“The Amnesty International urge the international community to work with the national authorities to secure truth and justice for all victims of the war and of on-going human rights violations and lay the foundations for a freer and fairer Sri Lanka,” said the Secretary General who put the estimated number of missing between 16,000 and 100,000. 

“Disappearance is the worst human rights violation. Being missing is far worse than being killed for the families. No closure means physiological torture for years and decades,” said Callamard who claimed that a larger of babies and kids who voluntarily surrendered to Government forces remain missing. 

She assured that Amnesty International stands ready to support all genuine efforts and commitments to confront long-standing impunity, address the violations and grievances of the past and present, and put an end to discrimination and the repression of fundamental freedoms. “As the home of our South Asia Regional Office, Sri Lanka is vital to our work and we appreciate the Government’s continued support and commitment to our cause,” Callamard added.

The Amnesty International official also warned of growing constraints on civic space. 

 “A slew of new legislations such as the Online Security Act and the proposed NGO law are worrying evidence of the dangers currently confronting Sri Lanka’s vibrant civil society. We are further concerned about the crackdown on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, including through the use of ICCPR Act provisions, to make arbitrary arrests. These are often carried out under multiple accusations without formal charge or evidence and have led to lives being lived in limbo. This must end,” she said.

Callamard urged the Government to repeal the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and reconsider the Anti-Terrorism Bill as well as abandon plans to come up with new law for NGOs. 

The Amnesty International delegation focused on an array of key issues, including the lack of accountability for grave human rights violations committed by both sides during the internal armed conflict, repression of the right to peaceful assembly and discrimination against groups such as the Malaiyaha Tamil community, the Muslim community and LGBTI people.