image source, Amila Udagedra
In Sri Lanka, the protests held in the capital Colombo on the occasion of the National Protest Day, which called for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, have intensified.
Thousands of protesters gathered in Colombo, entered the Presidential Palace and took control of the area. Earlier, the police and army tried hard to prevent them from entering the place.
The police tried to disperse the crowd by erecting several layers of barricades and pelting water, then repeatedly fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Due to this, the protest, which subsided for a few minutes, intensified again in the afternoon. As a result, the police and army retreated, unable to deal with them.
Meanwhile, the curfew that was suddenly implemented yesterday in the capital Colombo to control the public protest and the complaints regarding human rights violations reported in Sri Lanka for the past few days have attracted the attention of the international community.
image source, Amila Udagedara
Don’t try to imply – Human Rights Commission
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission said in a statement on Friday night that the curfew issued by the Sri Lankan police chief is illegal.
It said, “The police chief’s order deprives the people of one of their fundamental human rights, the right to assembly.” The commission has issued a report titled ‘Don’t try to do indirectly what cannot be done directly’.
“Unable to get a court order to stop the public rally, the government is trying to stop the rally through illegal means,” the statement added.
I.UN Human Rights Office reacts
The United Nations Human Rights Office has also issued a statement on the protest.
“Ahead of the demonstration in Colombo on Saturday, July 9, we call on the authorities to exercise restraint in handling gatherings and prevent violence. All Sri Lankans have the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” the statement said.
“We urge the relevant authorities to clearly advise the security forces that human rights defenders and journalists have the right to observe and comment on the demonstrations,” the UN Commission on Human Rights said.
image source, Amila Udagedara
As a general rule, there is a tradition that the military should not be used to control public gatherings. But in exceptional cases, military personnel may perform law enforcement duties subject to international norms and standards. The UN Human Rights Office has also stated that while working in such a way, they should behave in accordance with civil governance and civil laws.
Peaceful struggle is a people’s right – Amnesty International
In this situation, Amnesty International, which has been voicing for international human rights, has issued a statement condemning the attack by the government forces and the police on peaceful protestors.
In a statement issued by the organization under the hashtag #RightsUnderAttack, it also issued a set of guidelines for citizens going to the protest to follow for their own safety.
The manifesto contains clear instructions on the ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ of participating in a protest, what to wear, what to carry, how to avoid tear gas and the rights of protesters.
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