UN closely following developments in Sri Lanka; calls for meaningful dialogue to resolve crisis

The UN Human Rights Office on Tuesday said it is closely following developments in Sri Lanka and urged the authorities to engage in a meaningful dialogue with political parties and civil society to find a solution to the deepening economic crisis.

Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Liz Throssell said, public frustration had been rising in recent months with largely peaceful demonstrations taking place across the country and the situation has worsened over the past two weeks amid sudden shortages in fuel, cooking gas and some essential food items, as well as power cuts.

The Spokesperson said the Human Rights Office is concerned over the measures taken by the Government declaring a State of Emergency, curfew and internet ban and police violence against protesters.

“We are concerned that such measures are aimed at preventing or discouraging people from legitimately expressing their grievances through peaceful protests, and that they frustrate the exchange of views on matters of public interest,” she said.

After a demonstration outside the President’s residence on 31 March, the Government declared a State of Emergency on 1 April, announced a 36-hour curfew from 6 p.m. on 2 April and shut down social media networks for some 15 hours on 3 April. There have also been reports of excessive and unwarranted police violence against protesters. 

“We remind the Sri Lankan authorities that measures related to states of emergency must comply with international human rights law, should be limited to the extent strictly required by the situation and be proportionate to it, and should not be used to stifle dissent or hinder peaceful protest.

The Spokesperson said the UN Human Rights Office will continue to closely watch developments.

As the High Commissioner for Human Rights Michele Bachelet noted in her recent report to the Human Rights Council in February, the drift towards militarisation and the weakening of institutional checks and balances in Sri Lanka have affected the State’s ability to effectively tackle the economic crisis and ensure the realisation of the economic, social and cultural rights of all people in Sri Lanka.

The High Commissioner has also previously voiced her concern that the Government responds to criticism and dissent in ways that undermine civic space, and we reiterate these concerns today.

“We urge the Government, political parties and civil society to engage in immediate, inclusive and meaningful dialogue to find a solution for the pressing economic and political challenges that Sri Lanka faces and to avoid further polarisation of the situation,” Spokesperson for the High Commissioner said.