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HRCSL warns police against misusing law to stop commemorative events in NE
View(s):By Mimi Alphonsus
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has written to the Police Chief, cautioning against the misuse of the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) Act to arrest people participating in events in the North and East to commemorate those who died in the 30-year civil war.
Referring to court orders police had obtained in the past to prevent peaceful commemorative events, the HRCSL said such actions amounted to a violation of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by the Constitution.
The HRCSL also stated that such commemorations were a part of “collective reparations” protected under the Office of Reparations Act.
The HRCSL letter requested the IGP to provide clear guidelines to all police divisions explaining that commemorative events are a protected right and that police refrain from attempting to prevent them.
Commemorations of the last stages of the war began on May 12, with several organisations and students’ unions serving kanji (porridge). A large event is scheduled to be held in Mullivaikal today.
The commemorative events had faced obstacles in the past with police obtaining court orders and arresting organisers. The new NPP government’s official stance has been that it will allow for peaceful commemoration.
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