{"id":75967,"date":"2022-02-05T00:15:50","date_gmt":"2022-02-05T04:15:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=75967"},"modified":"2022-02-05T20:06:52","modified_gmt":"2022-02-06T00:06:52","slug":"161-civil-society-individuals-and-47-organisations-express-deeply-concern-over-the-response-of-the-foreign-ministry-to-the-statement-made-by-human-rights-lawyer-and-advocate-ambika-satkunanathan-at","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=75967","title":{"rendered":"161 civil society individuals and 47 organisations express deep concern over the response of the Foreign Ministry to the statement made by human rights lawyer and advocate Ambika Satkunanathan at the hearing of the European Parliament\u2019s sub-committee on human rights."},"content":{"rendered":"


\n(Text of Statement of Condemnation by 161 civil society individuals and 47 organisations In Solidarity with human rights lawyer and advocate Ambika Satkunanathan)<\/strong><\/p>\n

05th February, 2022<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

We<\/strong>, the undersigned civil society individuals and organisations, are deeply concerned by the response of the Foreign Ministry, dated 4th February, 2022, to the statement made by human rights lawyer and advocate, former Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, and Chairperson of the Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust, Ambika Satkunanathan, at the hearing of the European Parliament\u2019s sub-committee on human rights, on the 27th of January, 2022. In her submission, Ms. Satkunanathan made a critical assessment of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka and its international and national obligations to its citizens, and provided recommendations to European Union member states. <\/p>\n

Rather than engage substantively with the issues raised, the Sri Lankan Government instead chose to cast aspersions on an individual with an unimpeachable record of principled research, advocacy and public service for the improvement of human rights in Sri Lanka. The attempt by the Foreign Ministry to draw an analogy between the independent advocacy of a Tamil activist and researcher with the claims of the LTTE is both unwarranted, mischievous and chilling. <\/p>\n

The insinuation that pointing out the differential impact of government policies, state institutions and their practices on Tamil and Muslim communities is in some way \u2018stoking hatred among communities\u2019 and harmful to \u2018social harmony\u2019 is also deeply troubling. Given how the PTA and ICCPR Act have been used in Sri Lanka in the recent past by the State to target critical individuals and members of minority communities, this characterisation is ominous.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Retaining or losing GSP+ trade privileges is entirely based on the European Union\u2019s assessment of the conduct of the Sri Lankan Government with respect to labour rights, human rights, environmental protection and good governance. The suggestion that it is human rights advocacy that jeopardises GSP+ trade privileges which are crucial for the Sri Lankan economy is highly disingenuous. <\/p>\n

We consider the targeting of outspoken members of civil society by a government institution using dangerous insinuations to be a form of intimidation aimed at stifling dissent and freedom of expression. Statements such as this by the Foreign Ministry, we believe, aim to constrain civil society engagement as an independent interlocutor with the international community on democracy and rights issues, standing up for the rights and protection of affected communities and individuals.<\/p>\n

Like Ms. Satkunanathan, many in civil society have been raising concerns regarding the operational environment for civil society organisations and activists, and the threat of a repressive new law. We note with deep concern the continuing incidents of harassment of victim-survivors, human rights activists, media workers and civil society organisations by state actors. <\/p>\n

Creating an enabling environment for civil society will require more than mere assertions that civil society is treated as a partner, and the shifting of the NGO Secretariat to a new Ministry. We remain willing to engage with the government in an honest, principled and constructive dialogue on this, and the other substantive issues raised by Ms. Satkunanathan, which we share and stand-by. However, the targeting of civil society activists in this manner by the Foreign Ministry does not inspire confidence or trust.<\/p>\n

We condemn this statement of the Foreign Ministry, and stand in solidarity with Ms. Ambika Satkunanathan and all other civil society activists engaged in the processes of promoting and protecting human rights, democracy and genuine reconciliation in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

Signatories;<\/strong><\/p>\n

Individuals<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

1.\tA.R.A. Ramees
\n2.\tAinslie Joseph – Convenor, People’s Movement for Good Governance (PeMOGG)
\n3.\tAmalini De Sayrah
\n4.\tAmeena Hussein
\n5.\tAmeer Faaiz
\n6.\tAneesa Firthous
\n7.\tAnithra Varia
\n8.\tAnthony Jesudasan
\n9.\tAnthony Vinoth
\n10.\tAnuratha Rajaretnam
\n11.\tAnushani Alagarajah
\n12.\tAnushaya Collure
\n13.\tAruni Jayakody
\n14.\tB. Gowthaman
\n15.\tBhavani Fonseka
\n16.\tBisliya Bhutto
\n17.\tC. Ranitha Gnanarajah, AAL
\n18.\tChamila Thushari
\n19.\tChandra Devanarayana
\n20.\tChannaka Jayasinghe
\n21.\tChintaka Rajapakse
\n22.\tChulani Kodikara
\n23.\tDamaris Wickremesekera
\n24.\tDammika Munasinghe – Secretary, Joint Development Officers Centre
\n25.\tDeekshya Illangasinghe
\n26.\tDeshamanya Godfrey Yogarajah
\n27.\tDharsha Jegatheeswaran
\n28.\tDinushika Dissanayake
\n29.\tDorin Rajani
\n30.\tDr. Dinesha Samararatne
\n31.\tDr. K. Guruparan, Attorney-at-Law
\n32.\tDr. Kalana Senaratne – University of Peradeniya
\n33.\tDr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne
\n34.\tDr. Mahendran Thiruvarangan – University of Jaffna
\n35.\tDr. Nimalka Fernando, Attorney-at-Law
\n36.\tDr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu
\n37.\tDr. Radhika Coomaraswamy
\n38.\tDr. Ruvan Weerasinghe
\n39.\tDr. Sanjana Hattotuwa
\n40.\tDr. Thusiyan Nandakumar
\n41.\tE.M.S.N. Ekanayaka
\n42.\tErandika de Silva – University of Jaffna
\n43.\tErmiza Tegal
\n44.\tFaizun Zackeriya
\n45.\tFarah Mihlar
\n46.\tFarzana Haniffa
\n47.\tFathima Majitha
\n48.\tFrancis Costa Priyankara
\n49.\tFrancis Raajan
\n50.\tGehan Gunatilleke
\n51.\tHarindrini Corea, Attorney-at-Law
\n52.\tHerman Kumara
\n53.\tHilmy Ahamed
\n54.\tHyshyama Hamin – Women’s Rights Activist
\n55.\tIndunil Usgoda Arachchi
\n56.\tIromi Perera
\n57.\tIshara Danasekara
\n58.\tJ. Yardsan Figurado
\n59.\tJaabir Raazi Muhammadh
\n60.\tJake Oorloff
\n61.\tJayani Abeysekara
\n62.\tJehan Jegatheesan
\n63.\tJoanne Senn
\n64.\tJuwariya Mohideen
\n65.\tK. Aingkaran, Attorney-at-Law
\n66.\tK. Nihal Ahamad
\n67.\tK.J. Brito Fernando
\n68.\tK.S. Ratnavale, Attorney-at-Law
\n69.\tK.Thananjan
\n70.\tKalani Subasinghe
\n71.\tKamala Vasuki – Batticaloa
\n72.\tKumaran Nadesan
\n73.\tKumudini Samuel
\n74.\tLahiru Perera – Family Rehabilitation Centre
\n75.\tLakkitha Samarakone
\n76.\tLakshman Gunasekara – Journalist
\n77.\tLal Wijenayake – Convenor, Lawyers For Democracy
\n78.\tLinus Jayatilake – President, United Federation of Labour
\n79.\tLucille Abeykoon
\n80.\tLuwie Ganeshathasan
\n81.\tM. Kusum Silva – Citizens Committee, Gampaha District
\n82.\tM.A. Wahid
\n83.\tMahaluxmy Kurushanthan
\n84.\tMaithreyi Rajasingam, Attorney-at-Law
\n85.\tMario Arulthas
\n86.\tMario Gomez
\n87.\tMarisa de Silva
\n88.\tMichael Joachim
\n89.\tMike Gabriel
\n90.\tMirak Raheem
\n91.\tN.M. Saroor
\n92.\tNagulan Nesiah
\n93.\tNethmini Medawala, Attorney-at-Law
\n94.\tNilshan Fonseka
\n95.\tNurun Anberiya Hanifa
\n96.\tP. Muthulingam
\n97.\tP.M. Mujeebur Rahman, LLB
\n98.\tP.N. Singham
\n99.\tPasan Jayasinghe
\n100.\tPeter Rezel
\n101.\tPhilip Dissanayake
\n102.\tPrabodha Rathnanaya, AAL
\n103.\tPrabu Deepan
\n104.\tPriyatharshiny Rajendran
\n105.\tProf. Arjuna Parakrama – University of Peradeniya
\n106.\tProf. Maithree Wickramasinghe
\n107.\tProf. Shamala Kumar – University of Peradeniya
\n108.\tProf. Sumathy Sivamohan – University of Peradeniya
\n109.\tPuni Selvaratnam
\n110.\tRaghu Balachandran
\n111.\tRamalingam Sivapragasam
\n112.\tRamani Muttettuwegama, Attorney-at-Law
\n113.\tRehab Mahamoor
\n114.\tRev. Fr. Nandana Manatunga
\n115.\tRev. Fr. Terence Fernando
\n116.\tRev. Sr. Noel Christine Fernando
\n117.\tRohana Hettiarachchi
\n118.\tRohini Hensman – Writer, Researcher and Activist
\n119.\tRuki Fernando
\n120.\tS. Kamalakanthan – Social Activist
\n121.\tS. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole – Formerly of the Election Commission and UGC, and Michigan State University
\n122.\tS.C.C. Elankovan – Lawyer and Development Consultant
\n123.\tS.M. Anifa
\n124.\tS.T. Ganeshalingam
\n125.\tSabra Zahid
\n126.\tSafana Gul Begum
\n127.\tSajini Fernando, AAL
\n128.\tSakuntala Kadirgamar
\n129.\tSampath Samarakoon – Editor, vikalpa.org
\n130.\tSandun Thudugala
\n131.\tSanjula Pietersz, AAL
\n132.\tSarah Arumugam, AAL
\n133.\tSarala Emmanuel – Researcher
\n134.\tSelvaraja Rajasegar – Editor, maatram.org
\n135.\tSenaka Perera, AAL
\n136.\tSenel Wanniarachchi
\n137.\tShafinaz Hassendeen
\n138.\tShalomi Daniel
\n139.\tSharmaine Gunaratne, AAL
\n140.\tSheila Richards
\n141.\tShivantha Rathnayake
\n142.\tShreen Saroor
\n143.\tShyamala Gomez
\n144.\tSirany Thevakumar – Rights based activist
\n145.\tSrinath Perera – General Secretary, Free Trade Union Centre
\n146.\tStella Victor
\n147.\tSunanda Deshapriya – Journalist, Writer and Human Rights Activist
\n148.\tSunil Shantha Ganewaththa
\n149.\tSuren D. Perera, AAL
\n150.\tSuresh Fernando, Attorney-at-Law
\n151.\tSwasthika Arulingam
\n152.\tSylvester Jayakody – General Secretary, Ceylon Mercantile Industrial and General Workers Union (CMU)
\n153.\tTanuja Thurairajah
\n154.\tTehani Ariyaratne
\n155.\tThiagi Piyadasa – Lawyer and Researcher
\n156.\tThyagi Ruwanpathirana – Researcher
\n157.\tTisaranee Gunasekara
\n158.\tVanie Simon
\n159.\tVen. Fr. Samuel J. Ponniah
\n160.\tVisakha Tillekeratne – Independent Activist
\n161.\tYamini Ravindran – Attorney-at-Law and Campaigns Director,Minormatters<\/p>\n

Organisations<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\tAdayaalam Centre for Policy Research (ACPR)
\n2.\tAffected Women’s Forum (AWF)
\n3.\tAlliance for Minorities
\n4.\tBatticaloa District Civil Society Activists Union
\n5.\tCentre for Human Rights and Development (CHRD)
\n6.\tCentre for Policy Alternatives (CPA)
\n7.\tCivil and Political Rights Amayam, Batticaloa
\n8.\tCommittee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners
\n9.\tDabindu Collective Sri Lanka
\n10.\tFamilies of the Disappeared (FoD)
\n11.\tForum for a Plural Democracy
\n12.\tForum for Affected Families, Mannar
\n13.\tHuman Elevation Organisation (HEO)
\n14.\tHuman Rights Office (HRO), Kandy
\n15.\tInstitute of Social Development (ISD)
\n16.\tInternational Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES)
\n17.\tLaw and Society Trust (LST)
\n18.\tLawyer’s Forum for the People
\n19.\tMannar Social and Economical Development Organisation (MSEDO)
\n20.\tMannar Women’s Development Federation (MWDF)
\n21.\tMovement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR)
\n22.\tMovement for Plantation Peoples’ Land Rights (MPPLR)
\n23.\tMuslim Women\u2019s Development Trust (MWDT)
\n24.\tNational Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO)
\n25.\tNGO National Action Front (NNAF)
\n26.\tPeople for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL)
\n27.\tPeople’s Action For Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL)
\n28.\tPeople\u2019s Alliance for Right to Land (PARL)
\n29.\tPeople\u2019s Collective for Climate Justice, Batticaloa
\n30.\tPlantation Rural Education and Development Organisation (PREDO)
\n31.\tPraja Abhilasha Network
\n32.\tRevolutionary Existence for human Development (RED)
\n33.\tRight to Life Human Rights Centre (R2L)
\n34.\tRural Development Foundation
\n35.\tSamadana\/m
\n36.\tSavistri National Women’s Movement
\n37.\tSocial Institute for Development of Plantation Sector (SIDPS)
\n38.\tSri Lanka Young Journalists’ Association
\n39.\tSuriya Women’s Development Centre
\n40.\tTamil Civil Society Forum (TCSF)
\n41.\tUpcountry Civil Society Collective (UCSC)
\n42.\tViluthu
\n43.\tVoices Movement
\n44.\tWomen and Media Collective (WMC)
\n45.\tWomen for Justice and Peace in Sri Lanka
\n46.\tWomen’s Action Network (WAN)
\n47.\tWomen\u2019s Organisation Working on Disability<\/p>\n

05th February, 2022<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

******************************************<\/strong><\/p>\n

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(Text of Statement of Condemnation by 161 civil society individuals and 47 organisations In Solidarity with human rights lawyer and advocate Ambika Satkunanathan) 05th February, 2022 We, the undersigned civil society individuals and organisations, are deeply concerned by the response of the Foreign Ministry, dated 4th February, 2022, to the statement made by human rights …<\/p>\n

Continue reading ‘161 civil society individuals and 47 organisations express deep concern over the response of the Foreign Ministry to the statement made by human rights lawyer and advocate Ambika Satkunanathan at the hearing of the European Parliament\u2019s sub-committee on human rights.’ »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75967"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=75967"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75967\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75969,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75967\/revisions\/75969"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=75967"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=75967"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=75967"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}