Sep 4, 2023 | News
We, nine international human rights organizations, have grave reservations about the Sri Lankan government’s proposed National Unity and Reconciliation Commission. Our concerns echo many of those already raised by victims of conflict-related abuses and their families. Sri Lanka has a long history of convening similar bodies, none of which has provided justice, truth or reparation to the many people who have engaged with them. The latest initiative risks repeating the mistakes of the past, exposing victims to renewed security threats and re-traumatization without any realistic chance of a different outcome. There have not been any genuine confidence-building measures, or steps to ensure a safe and conducive environment for such a commission to function effectively.
Aug 30, 2023 | News
The ICJ expressed concern about attacks on the independence of the judiciary in Sri Lanka under cover of parliamentary privilege.
On 22 August 2023, Sarath Weeresekera, a former Minister and a Member of Parliament belonging to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, the country’s ruling political party, made an inflammatory speech with racist undertones in Parliament, referring to T. Saravanaraja, the Mullaitivu Court’s Magistrate repeatedly as “a mentally ill person”, and criticizing a court order Judge Saravanaraja had made, while making personal remarks about him, including a mention of his wife. Judge Saravanaraja has been the target of this invective following an order he made upholding the right of religious worship of Hindu devotees at a Hindu shrine on Kurundur Hill, a contested religious site in the North of the country.
Aug 16, 2023 | Advocacy, News
Hold Thai companies accountable for wrongdoing outside the country’s borders,” urged participants at a dialogue co-hosted by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) on 8 June 2023 at Chiang Mai University
Aug 16, 2023
An opinion piece by Mathuri Thamilmaran, National Legal Advisor – Sri Lanka at the International Commission of Jurists
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals in Sri Lanka have too often been subjected to discrimination, abuse, violence and harassment in violation of their human rights. Throughout the years research reports have continuously identified the Sri Lanka Police as the foremost perpetrators of human rights violations against LGBTI individuals. Developments in the last few months saw both the Sri Lanka Police and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) acknowledging this fact and seemingly taking steps to remedy the situation.
Aug 11, 2023 | News
Geneva – The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) is concerned that legislation introduced by the Government on 16 July could serve to further impunity for serious crimes by giving the Government authority to withdraw criminal cases. The ICJ calls on the government to withdraw or modify the proposed bill to bring it into conformity with its international legal obligations.
The Bill to Amendment Some Nepal Acts, 2023 (2080 BS), particularly its
