The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) says that the “peaceful protest movement that began in the first half of 2022 along with the economic crisis created in Sri Lanka has been ruthlessly suppressed.”
The agency says that, based on the data of a report released related to the suppression of the struggle.
The report titled “Anatomy of a crackdown – The Repression of Sri Lanka’s Aragalaya Protest Movement” consists of 60 pages.
“A detailed account of the gross and systematic human rights abuses committed by the police, military and pro-government forces against the vast majority of the population.” report provides.
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) says that the “peaceful protest movement that began in the first half of 2022 along with the economic crisis created in Sri Lanka has been ruthlessly suppressed.”
The agency says that, based on the data of a report released related to the suppression of the struggle.
The report titled “Anatomy of a crackdown – The repression of Sri Lanka’s aragalaya protest movement” consists of 60 pages.
“A detailed account of the gross and systematic human rights abuses committed by the police, military and pro-government forces against the vast majority of the population.” It has been shown that it provides.
The causes of the struggle
The relevant report has also revealed the facts that affected the struggle that started in Colombo.
The relevant report has identified that “the long-term economic mismanagement of the Sri Lankan government, the growing public dissatisfaction with corruption and nepotism led to the protests known as the struggle.”
Adil Rahman Khan, Secretary General of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), says, “The Sri Lankan authorities systematically violated international human rights law and absolute impunity standards in suppressing the struggle.”
In addition, the General Secretary has also pointed out that President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent pledge to use military force and emergency powers to prevent another struggle should be considered as a red light.
He emphasized that the international community is vigilant about this and it is imperative to exert pressure on the government to protect and respect the rights of the protesters.
Use of unnecessary force to disperse peaceful assemblies
It is stated in the relevant report that a pattern of frequent use of unnecessary or disproportionate force such as live ammunition, tear gas, water cannons etc. by the authorities to disperse such meetings in violation of the people’s right to freedom of peaceful assembly is stated in the relevant report.
In addition, the police arbitrarily arrested activists and organizers of the struggle and subjected many of them to “systematic repression through harassment, including judicial harassment, intimidation and searches,” it said.
Misuse of the Prevention of Terrorism Act
This report also revealed that the authorities misused laws including the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to impose restrictions on those who participated in the struggle.
It shows the lack of accountability of the law enforcement agencies for the abuses done to the protestors in the struggle while violating the rights of the people.
The International Federation for Human Rights has prepared this report jointly with the Center for Human Rights and Development (CHRD), a non-governmental organization operating in Sri Lanka.
The preparation of this report is based on interviews conducted with 42 people who were involved in the protest movement between August and October 2022.
What is FIDH?
Founded in 1922 in Paris, the International Federation of Human Rights is united with 188 member organizations operating in 116 countries around the world.
In this way, the activities of the organizations operating in those countries are coordinated and supported, and their voice is given space at the international level.