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MARCH 2012, KATHMANDU, NEPAL
The South Asia Alliance for Poverty
Eradication (SAAPE), a regional civil society network encompassing all eight
countries of South Asia, absolutely denounces the threats, intimidation and
harassment directed to Sri Lankan human rights defenders and journalists by the
Government of Sri Lanka, against the background of the recent resolution on Sri
Lanka adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council on 23 March 2012 in
Geneva.
SAAPE members Nimalka Fernando, Sunila
Abeysekera and Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu have been particularly attacked by
the hate campaigns sponsored by the government and its crony media on the basis
of their active involvement with regard to the aforementioned 19th
session of the Human Rights Council. All three human rights defenders and
journalists have a long-standing credible history in the field of promoting and
protecting human rights, exposing as well as opposing the culture of impunity
and the lack of accountability and justice by the state to her innocent citizens.
On this note, SAAPE also extends its solidarity and support to the statement
jointly issued by these three members on 23 March defending their cause in
continuing to uphold their commitment to their democratic ideals and goals.
SAAPE is strongly concerned for the full
safety and dignity of its members who are firmly standing up against all types
of injustices and gross human rights violations. SAAPE firmly believes that
human rights violations of any kind is non-negotiable and hence, urgently calls
on the Government of Sri Lanka to abide by the Constitution of the country
including the international human rights conventions to which it is signatory. SAAPE
demands that the Government of Sri Lanka is obliged to allow its citizens to
fully and freely exercise their democratic rights for the promotion and
protection of democracy, human rights and peace. SAAPE also appeals to the
international community to support Sri Lankan peoples in their fight against the
undemocratic culture propagated by the Government of Sri Lanka.
Dr. Arjun Karki
Co-ordinator
