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Sri Lanka: Mishandling of economic crisis triggers alarm over rights violations  |



OHCHR said that the situation was getting worse and worse and shortages of food and fuel, along with power cuts, caused new protests by desperate Sri Lankans.

Following the state of emergency and other restrictions, Liz Throssell, OHCHR Spokesperson speak Her office is “concerned that such measures are intended to prevent or discourage people from legitimately expressing grievances through peaceful protests, and that they discourage the exchange of views on political issues.” issues of public interest”.

The situation is getting worse

Public frustration has grown in recent months with largely peaceful protests taking place across the country.

However, amid sudden shortages of fuel, cooking gas and essential food items; The situation is getting worse and worse with inflation, currency devaluation and power cuts in the past two weeks.

“This led to further protests by Sri Lankans, frustrated by the rising cost of living and the difficulty of obtaining basic items,” Ms. Throssell added. with journalists in Geneva.

Violence ‘unwarranted’

Following protests outside the presidential residence on March 31, the Government declared a state of emergency on April 1, imposed a 36-hour curfew from 6 p.m. on April 2, and closed social network door for 15 hours the next day.

There are also many reports of excessive and unwarranted police violence against protesters.

OHCHR reminded the Sri Lankan authorities that emergency-related measures “must comply with international human rights law”, should be limited to the degree of rigor required by the situation and commensurate with the it, and “should not be used to stifle dissent or hinder peaceful protest”.

A spokesman for the agency said: “The UN human rights office will continue to closely monitor developments.

The UN Human Rights Office will continue to closely monitor developments – OHCHR Spokesperson

Towards militarization

As the United Nations’ head of rights, Michelle Bachelet noted in her recent report for Dong Nhan Quyen Association In February, the trend of militarization and the weakening of institutional checks and balances in Sri Lanka affected the ability of the State to effectively deal with the economic crisis and ensure the implementation of the economic, social and cultural rights of all citizens.

Earlier, the High Commissioner had also expressed her concern about how the Government responded to criticism and dissent in ways that eroded the civic space.

“We reiterate these concerns today,” the UN official said.

“We call on the Government, political parties and civil society to engage in immediate, comprehensive and meaningful dialogue to find solutions to the pressing economic and political challenges that confront us. Sri Lanka must face and avoid further polarizing the situation.”

Call for restraint

Meanwhile, in New York, Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, told journalists at a regular press conference that the UN team in Sri Lanka is “closely monitoring the situation”.

He said the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the country, Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, had reminded the Government that the rights of peaceful assembly, association and expression are universal fundamental rights that help promote dialogue between citizens and the state.

On Friday, the top United Nations official in the country also called for restraint from all sides and de-escalating tensions, avoiding violent confrontation.

“Our group encourages all citizens to engage in dialogue to seek peaceful solutions.



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