Gag order, travel restriction & investigation against Sri Lankan HRD, Ruki Fernando
Change but No Change in Sri Lanka
Friday, 20 March 2015
21st March 2015 will mark one year since a court order restricting the freedom of expression on leading Sri Lankan human rights defender and writer, Ruki Fernando was obtained by the Terrorist Investigation Department (TID). Such restriction on freedom of expression of a prolific writer and commentator on human rights issues such as Ruki, is unprecedented in recent Sri Lankan history.
Ruki and another colleague were arrested on 16th March 2014 during a fact finding mission to the war ravaged Northern part of the country. Both were released on 19th March 2014 after massive national and international outrage. Immediately after his release, Ruki gave interviews to local and international media. As a result of this, he faced intimidation after his release and a fresh investigation was launched against him by the TID. The TID also obtained Court Orders restriction Ruki’s overseas travels and freedom of expression, and also confiscated communication equipment, all of which are effective till today.
Ruki’s arrest had resulted in him being branded a traitor and terrorist supporter by some media and Sinhalese nationalist groups, and the restriction on freedom of expression had made it difficult for him to respond to such accusations and defamation and defend himself. His human rights work locally and internationally as well as personal life has been constrained by the need to go to courts each time he needs to travel overseas. Even after obtaining court permission, he was compelled to miss a flight when he was travelling overseas for a human rights conference and he had faced delays, humiliation on other occasions he was travelling overseas for human rights work, due to being stopped and questioned by the Immigration and State Intelligence Service officers.
It is now more than 4 months since Ruki’s lawyers had made verbal and written submissions to the Attorney General’s Department about the closure of the case and lifting of the restrictions. There has been an indication of readiness to lift the travel restriction. But the Attorney General’s Department and the TID has refused to close the investigation, return the confiscated equipment and lift of the gag order.
This clearly indicates the continuing anti –human rights and media freedom mind-set of the security establishment and the insensitivity of the new political leadership towards same. It shows that HRDs released from detention can be subjected to continued harassments and restrictions, despite the new political leadership in Sri Lanka. The conditions imposed on Ms. Balendran Jeyakumari, a woman HRD released on bail on 10th March 2015 after 362 days in detention, reaffirms this. As per Ruki’s own words, we look forward to the day when all HRDs and dissenters can be freed from accusations of supporting terrorism and are able enjoy their rights to express themselves and travel freely.
