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US concerned over ‘blocking’ protestors
Mar 06, 201306:49 PM
The US today expressed concern over reports of Sri Lankan authorities blocking hundreds of Tamil protestors from attending a rally against allegeld extrajudicial killings and the disappearances of their loved ones.
It was reported that family members of the disappeared were blocked in Vavuniya by police while traveling to Colombo.
“These family members are calling for information about their missing loved ones,” the U.S. Embassy in Colombo said in a release.
The Embassy called upon Sri Lankan authorities to allow “free movement” of these citizens and also pointed out that the right to freely express opinions is universal and protected under Sri Lankan and international law.
The United States said it was constructively working with international partners to support these “basic freedoms,” through the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution in Geneva.
“We continue to urge the Government of Sri Lanka to follow through on its own commitments to its people by implementing recommendations made in their Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) Report,” it said.
The LLRC recommends thorough investigations into disappearances as well an establishment of a mechanism to address cases of the missing and detained.
“Since last year’s UNHRC resolution the United States has grown increasingly concerned by the lack of progress on these issues, as well as backsliding on other important areas of fundamental democratic rights.”
“All Sri Lankans should enjoy the same rights and live in dignity, sharing a democratic, secure, and prosperous future,” the release said.
