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IFJ 15 February 2021
Why January remains black for journalists in Sri Lanka
Black January has traditionally also been used to highlight impunity for these crimes. But it is also important to look at continuing violations, writes Ruki Fernando. Sri Lankan Black January protests in 2018. Credit:LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP
For many years, Sri Lankan media freedom organisations have commemorated “Black January”, recalling the numerous violations of free expression and crimes against free expression committed during the month of January. With Covid-19’s onset, this year’s Black January event took place online on January 29.
Earlier in the month, editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, who was killed in January 2009, was remembered by family and colleagues. After 12 years of waiting for justice, his daughter is reported to have lodged a complaint with the Switzerland-based United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC). The Committee usually accepts complaints after the exhaustion
A webinar with former top UN and US officials and Sri Lankan participants calls for a strong UNHRC resolution
A webinar with former top UN and US officials and Sri Lankan participants calls for a strong UNHRC resolution
PRESS STATEMENT
A webinar with former top UN and US officials and Sri Lankan participants calls for a strong UNHRC resolution
Warning that UN failure on Sri Lanka could spur worldwide pandemic of impunity, panellists emphasized the need to act on the UN High Commissioner’s recommendations
A webinar “Sri Lanka: Quest for Justice, Rule of Law and Democratic Rights”, co-hosted by the Global Tamil Forum (GTF), Centre for Human Rights and Global Justice – New York University, Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice and the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC), held on February 12
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 internat
UN Human Rights Council Should Pursue Accountability
(Lanka-e-News -02.Feb.2021, 1.45PM) Sri Lanka’s government is aggressively attacking efforts to hold officials to account for past grave abuses, Human Rights Watch said in a report released yesterday(01).
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. It describes the current context of government repression of activists, journalists, lawyers, and the families of victims, as well as threats against vulnerable minorities. The United Nations Human Rights Council, at its session beginning February 22, 2021, should adopt a resolution upholding justice for serious international crimes in Sri Lanka and condemning ongoing abuses.