Freedom of Assembly in Sri Lanka[1]
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Four years since the end of the war, restrictions on human rights and fundamental freedoms that were in place during the war in the name of ‘national security’ are largely unchanged.[2] The Government has systematically sought to suppress dissent and in particular, peaceful assembly, though this is a fundamental right guaranteed under constitution and an obligation under the international law.[3] Dissidents of the government participating in peaceful assembly have been attacked, arrested, threatened, obstructed and subjected to intimidating surveillance of the Government through the police, military and other supporters.
The situation is worst in the Northern Province. Incidents of suppression – including those of mass protests by political parties, student groups, trade unions and civil society – have also been recorded from the capital, Colombo, Southern and Central parts of the island. Police have dispersed protests – sometimes violently and even looked on when violent mobs have / threatened to attack protestors;[4] people have been stopped from attending gatherings;[5] court orders are sought, and often obtained, to prevent rallies and marches from taking place;[6] police permission is sometimes outright refused.[7] Many assemblies which are deemed anti-Government are subjected surveillance by the state’s intelligence services.[8] Organizersof protests and participants too, are attacked by those alleged to be Government groups and supporters before, during and after peaceful assemblies.[9] People of the North and East, are not permitted to peacefully commemorate, or even light a candle for the dead, or fallen LTTE cadres, particularly on May 18th(the day the war ended), or on November 27 (LTTE Heroes Day).[10] Police has tried to block funerals of such as political prisoners killed in custody and opposition party members killed that are considered as creating a negative image for the government and they have ended up as “guarded” funerals under heavy military / police guard and surveillance.[11]
Significant cases in the North and East
