Gota Has Direct Involvement With The BBS – Nimalka Tells UNHRC

June 20, 2014

“It is shocking to note that the Government, which was able to deploy the armed forces against the unarmed villagers to safeguard the interest of a corporate entity during the Rathupaswala incident, did not take any emergency measure to protect the Muslims with the same sense of urgency. The recently established special police unit aimed to deal with religious clashes is only a cosmetic measure to appease the international community.” one of the IMADR staff member said on behalf of its president, Dr Nimalka Fernando today.

Dr.Nimalka Fernando

The International Movement Against All Forms Of Discrimination And Racism, said in its oral submission to the 26th session of the Human Rights Council said; “BBS has carried out attacks against mosques and business establishments of Muslims and intensified its campaign against other religious communities including Christians. Government high officials, especially the Defence Secretary, have been directly involved in supporting the BBS through participating in their public events.”

We publish below her submission in full;

Thank you Mr. President,

We strongly condemn the violence unleashed in South Western Sri Lanka which resulted in the death of 3 persons and the serious injury of approximately 80 people. It is outrageous that the Government of Sri Lanka ignored our appeals over the past year and allowed the Bodu Bala Sena(BBS) to continue to operate committing hate crimes against Muslims and Christians. In her report to the Council last March, The High Commissioner referred to the emergence of religious extremism and urged the Government to take measures against hate speech and such intolerance. Unfortunately, some member States dismissed our calls by categorising these incidents as sporadic violence.

IMADR, together with other civil society organisations, have consistently taken the position that the failure of the Government to facilitate an environment towards reconciliation and lasting peace based on the LLRCrecommendations would lead to intensified tensions again. We have called the Government to take actions against the BBS and promulgate laws to deal with their hate speech and violent activities. BBS has carried out attacks against mosques and business establishments of Muslims and intensified its campaign against other religious communities including Christians. Government high officials, especially the Defence Secretary, have been directly involved in supporting the BBS through participating in their public events.

It is shocking to note that the Government, which was able to deploy the armed forces against the unarmed villagers to safeguard the interest of a corporate entity during the Rathupaswala incident, did not take any emergency measure to protect the Muslims with the same sense of urgency. The recently established special police unit aimed to deal with religious clashes is only a cosmetic measure to appease the international community.

We insist that the Government of Sri Lanka investigates the heinous acts immediately and adopt measures to prevent the repetition of such violence. We call upon the international community to support the human rights defenders in Sri Lanka who are working against religious extremism and assisting victims to achieve justice. We also believe that this is an opportunity for all the Council member States to ensure the effective implementation of the resolution on “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka” (A/HRC/25/L.1/Rev.1).

Thank you Mr. President.