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Sri Lanka: Compulsory cremation of COVID-19 bodies cannot continue, say UN experts GENEVA (25 January 2021) – UN human rights experts today urged the Sri Lankan Government to end its policy of forced cremation of the COVID-19 deceased, saying it ran contrary to the beliefs of Muslims and other minorities in the country, and could foment existing prejudices, intolerance and violence. “The imposition of cremation as the only option for handling the bodies confirmed or suspected of COVID-19 amounts to a human rights violation. There has been no established medical or scientific evidenc...

End Forced Cremation Policy, UN Experts Tell Sri Lanka Sri Lanka's policy of forced cremation of COVID 19 deceased contrary to Muslims, other minorities’ beliefs, say UN experts. A group of UN human rights experts Monday urged the Sri Lankan government to end its policy of forced cremation of COVID-19 deceased, saying it is contrary to Muslims and other minorities' beliefs. In a statement, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Ahmed Shaheed; Fernand de Varennes, special rapporteur on minority issues; and Cleme...

Sri Lanka: Compulsory cremation of COVID-19 bodies cannot continue, say UN experts Format GENEVA (25 January 2021) – UN human rights experts today urged the Sri Lankan Government to end its policy of forced cremation of the COVID-19 deceased, saying it ran contrary to the beliefs of Muslims and other minorities in the country, and could foment existing prejudices, intolerance and violence. "The imposition of cremation as the only option for handling the bodies confirmed or suspected of COVID-19 amounts to a human rights violation. There has been no established medical or scientific evidence...

By Harim Peiris A centre of Tamil learning in Jaffna was attacked and destroyed. No, not last week, but 40 years ago, in 1981, the iconic Jaffna Library, a seat of Tamil language, literature and learning was burnt to cinders by a mob of what then cabinet ministers Cyril Mathew et al were watching, perhaps not entirely as innocent bystanders, from the veranda of the old Jaffna Rest House termed as “an unfortunate rampage by a few drunk and off duty police officers”. Coming a full circle, four decades later, once again a seat of Tamil learning, this time namely the University of Jaffna, wit...

Sri Lanka’s requirement to cremate anyone who dies from Covid-19 goes against public health guidance and discriminates against the Muslim community, Human Rights Watch said today.