A global group for legal professionals, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), joined the growing condemnation of the Sri Lankan Government’s intimidation and harassment of human rights advocates.
Citing the leaked intelligence surveillance list, first brought to the world’s attention by Amnesty International, IBAHRI reiterated the significant concerns surrounding the safety of Mr Weliamuna, Director of Transparency International Sri Lanka and human rights lawyer, and Dr Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA). Both men, no stranger to state intimidation, have previously experienced death threats and physical attacks.
‘We consider this current campaign against those who are perceived as being critical of the Government or its policies to be extremely serious’ said Alex Wilks, IBAHRI Programme Lawyer. ‘Not only does it compromise the physical safety of those named on the list, it exacerbates the climate of fear within which civil society is currently operating.
This is not the first time, the IBAHRI’s has been critical of the Government of Sri Lanka’s attitude to freedom of expression and rule of law.
The May 2009 ‘Justice in Retreat’ report, drew attention to the regular intimidation of lawyers, academics and NGO workers was criticised along side the impunity with which such attacks are carried out.
