The sudden announcement to sack Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, which he contends violates parliamentary processes and the constitution, was made without informing parliament or the cabinet, the New York-based advocacy organization said.
“Rajapaksa’s return to high office without any justice for past crimes raises chilling concerns for human rights in Sri Lanka,” said Brad Adams, Asia director.
“The current government’s failure to bring justice to victims of war crimes under the Rajapaksa government reopens the door for past abusers to return to their terrible practices.”
“The media outlets, rights organizations, and victims’ groups who had been vocal and free from government threats now fear a return to anxiety and fear,” Adams said. “It is critical that governments that helped Sri Lanka’s return to a much more rights-respecting government act to ensure those gains are not lost.”
Meanwhile the European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom have urged political parties in Sri Lanka to follow the Constitution and refrain from violence.
The EU delegation, in a statement, urged Sri Lankan parties to follow the due institutional process and respect freedom of media.
The statement added that the Ambassador of the European Union as well as those of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania and the UK, are closely following the events as they are unfolding in the island nation.
The US State Department has said it expects the government of Sri Lanka to uphold its Geneva commitments to human rights, reform, accountability, justice, and reconciliation.
No comments:
Post a Comment