Mar 5, 2010 | News
The ICJ expressed concern at the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka and welcomed the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ emphasis on countering discrimination, including on the grounds of sexual orientation.
The ICJ also called on the Council to consider establishing a dedicated mandate – such as the Early-warning Commission – to identify the emergence of human rights violations in crisis situations and make recommendations to the UN to prevent human rights violations and ensure accountability of their perpetrators.
SriLanka-humanrightsviolations-web story-2010 (full text, PDF)
Feb 2, 2010 | News
The ICJ is alarmed by a campaign of intimidation against journalists and media outlets and at the continuing use of emergency laws to restrict freedom of expression following the re-election of President Rajapakse.
The ICJ calls for immediate Government action to reform these laws and to protect journalists from further harassment and attacks.
SriLanka-freedomexpession-news-2010 (full text, PDF)
Jan 18, 2010 | News
A new ICJ report released today addresses the systematic absence of remedies for gross human rights violations in Sri Lanka between 1977 and 2001 – a period of widespread disappearances and unlawful killings.
Sep 11, 2009 | News
The ICJ released today its Trial Observation Report on proceedings before the Colombo High Court in the prosecution of J.S. Tissainayagam, a Tamil journalist.
On 31 August 2009, Mr Tissainayagam was convicted under anti-terrorism laws and sentenced by Judge Deepali Wijesundara to 20 years “rigorous imprisonment.”
SriLanka-journalist-news-2009 (full text, PDF)
May 28, 2009 | News
The ICJ urged the UN Human Rights Council’s special session to call on the Government of Sri Lanka to take several human rights measures.
In particular, the Government of Sri Lanka must ensure unhindered humanitarian access and assistance to the internally displaced persons (IDPs), protection of IDPs, safeguards against attacks on journalists and human rights defenders and effective accountability, including through an independent international investigation into human rights and humanitarian law violations.
The ICJ deplored that the draft resolution L.1/Rev.2, which was later adopted by vote, failed to address the most pressing concerns.
SriLanka-UNcouncil-news-2009 (full text, PDF)
