United States (US) Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung has asserted that the US will continue to monitor legislative developments in Sri Lanka that could challenge its progress on human rights, reconciliation, and civic space.
Taking to the social media platform ‘X’, she highlighted that the joint statement issued by the Core Group earlier this month (March) at the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), along with other statements made by local and international organisations, underscore shared concerns, notably that Sri Lanka’s much disputed Online Safety Act (OSA) could be used to criminalise a wide range of expression, suppress dissent, and undermine Sri Lanka’s digital economy.
Chung urged for comprehensive consultations to be made between the Government of Sri Lanka and other stakeholders, including the civil society, prior to the enactment of any legislation with potentially serious implications for fundamental freedoms and the civic space in the future, and that the due legislative process be followed in this regard.
On 4 March, the Core Group on Sri Lanka, at the 55th session of the UNHRC, raised concerns with regard to several legislative developments regarding human rights, reconciliation and civic space. In a joint statement, the Core Group, comprised of Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the United Kingdom and the US, noted that certain legislative developments imposed recently have given cause for concern. As such, they noted that the OSA has “the potential to severely restrict online communication, and could potentially criminalise nearly all forms of expression, creating an environment that has a chilling effect on the freedom of expression”. Thus, the Core Group urged the Sri Lankan Government to enact amendments to align the Act with Sri Lanka’s human rights obligations and commitments.
Speaking further, the Group reiterated their concerns surrounding the controversial Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA), continuing to call for it to be replaced with legislation that is consistent with Sri Lanka’s international obligations.
“We encourage the release of unjustly held long-term PTA detainees and for Sri Lanka to maintain a moratorium on its use. We stress the importance of an inclusive participatory process to build trust in advance of any legislation. Any future Commission on Truth, Unity and Reconciliation must be independent, inclusive, meaningful, and transparent, meet the expectations of the affected communities, build upon previous transitional justice processes, and provide pathways for accountability. We note with concern reports of increased tensions around land seizures in the North and, particularly, the East”.
Source: themorning
