New Zealand has urged Sri Lanka to provide complete protections for free speech and nonviolent demonstration.
The New Zealand delegation at the UN Human Rights Council’s 51st session in Geneva noted that the government’s handling of large-scale protests in the first half of 2022 was largely peaceful.
“However, the recent hardening of the Sri Lankan Government’s stance toward protestors worries us. According to Lucy Duncan, New Zealand’s Permanent Representative, “New Zealand urges Sri Lanka to ensure full protections for freedom of expression and peaceful protest.
New Zealand also noted that the Prevention of Terrorism Act amendment has made some progress.
In a statement, New Zealand urged Sri Lanka to “uphold its commitment to a de facto moratorium on arrests under the legislation” and to “replace the Act with new legislation that is aligned with Sri Lanka’s human rights obligations.”
According to New Zealand, accountability measures are essential for long-lasting peace and prosperity.
In order to strengthen domestic accountability measures, including for historical human rights violations, the delegation urged Sri Lanka to collaborate with the High Commissioner and other partners.
