Sri Lanka govt ‘aggressively attacking efforts’ to address rights abuses
Sri Lanka’s government is aggressively attacking efforts to hold officials to account for past grave abuses, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said in a new report.The 93-page report, “Open Wounds and Mounting Dangers: Blocking Accountability for Grave Abuses in Sri Lanka,” examines efforts by the government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to thwart justice in seven prominent human rights cases.The report released Feb. 1 describes the current context of government repression of activists, journalists, lawyers, and the families of victims, as well as threats against vulnerable minorities.
“The Sri Lankan government’s assault on justice increases the risk of human rights abuses today and, in the future,” said John Fisher, HRW Geneva director in a media statement.The United Nations Human Rights Council, at its session beginning Feb. 22, should adopt a resolution upholding justice for serious international crimes in Sri Lanka and condemning ongoing abuses, HRW said.Efforts to provide accountability significantly declined during 2020, HRW said. Senior police officers investigating killings and enforced disappearances committed during the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration have fled the country or been charged with apparently fabricated offenses. A commission appointed by the president has sought to interfere in criminal cases involving his allies and supporters.Trials of military and intelligence officials accused of enforced disappearances have been delayed and disrupted. And the Rajapaksa-dominated parliament passed an amendment to the constitution that abolishes key checks on presidential power, undermining the independence of the judiciary and institutions such as the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, HRW said.