Friday, November 2, 2012

Freedom Of Expression: My Submission With ARTICLE19 To UPR Of Sri Lanka

By Uvindu Kurukulasuriya -November 2, 2012

Uvindu Kurukulasuriya

This is the shadow report I submitted with ARTICLE 19 in April 2012 to the United Nations Office for the High Commissioner of Human Rights for the Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council. The shadow report made specific and detailed recommendations to the Sri Lankan government to be echoed by UN member states, and we are waiting to hear from the government whether they intend to accept or reject the recommendations.

I below reproduce our report to UN, alternatively you can read it here

ARTICLE 19 and Mr. Uvindu Kurukulasuriya
Submission to UN Universal Periodic Review of Sri Lanka

14^th Session, October-November 2012

ARTICLE 19 is an international non-governmental human rights organisation defending the right to freedom of expression and information worldwide. ARTICLE 19 was established in 1986 and has observer status with ECOSOC.

Executive summary

The Sri Lankan Government received and accepted a number of recommendations related to the right of freedom of expression during the first UPR cycle:
1. To take measures to safeguard freedom of expression and protect human rights defenders, and effectively investigate allegations of attacks on journalists, media personnel and human rights defenders and prosecute those responsible
2. To take measures to improve safeguards for freedom of the press
3. To adopt effective measures to ensure the full realisation of the right to freedom of expression for all persons.
None of these accepted recommendations have been realised. This submission provides information on developments since, specifically:
1. On-going violence against journalists and human rights defenders (HRDs)
2. Continued media censorship and other interferences to media freedom
3. An insufficient and inadequate legal framework for freedom of expression and information.