THE human rights of minority religious groups in Sri Lanka are being ignored, and there has been a surge in hate speech against Muslims as a result of government policies to combat Covid-19, the Church of Ceylon reports.
The Church is “increasingly concerned by the deterioration of human rights in Sri Lanka” and has called for urgent action from the UN Human Rights Council.
A report setting out the Church’s concerns has been submitted to the 48th session of the Council, whose meeting concludes today, by the Anglican Consultative Council.
Government policies consistently reflect the interests of the Sinhala Buddhist majority at the expense of minority religious communities, the report says. Forced cremations, introduced as a result of the pandemic, upset Christians and Muslims, until pressure from the UN forced the withdrawal of the policy earlier this year.
The report notes a surge in hate speech against Muslims in particular, with false accusations that Muslims are spreading the virus and a boycott of Muslim shops, which the government had done little to counter.
It recommends that the government continue the process of constitutional reforms, “including consideration of a new Bill of Rights that will, amongst others, guarantee the right to life and the right to non-discrimination on any ground”.
It also highlights concerns over the appointment of military personnel to government posts, and the lack of accountability from the ruling party, particularly in the investigation of the Easter Day 2019 attack (News, 26 April 2019), when suicide bombers killed 269 people at three churches and three hotels.
“We are particularly concerned that while the government claims to be engaging in an investigation of the Easter Sunday bombings of 2019, and arrests are made, there is a failure to properly investigate and prosecute these crimes.”
The Church’s report said that there had also been a crackdown on peaceful protests, under the guise of following health guidelines.
“The cornerstone of any democracy must be the ability to entertain opposing views. The current approach of the government does not reflect values that contribute to a society built on universal equality and dignity. From the perspective of the Church, which is apolitical and aims to be a source of integration, this approach directly conflicts with its presence and ministry in this diverse country.
“The Anglican Consultative Council stands in solidarity with the local Church and wishes to amplify its calls for the government of Sri Lanka to fulfil its duties to its people and act decisively and urgently on these issues of grave concern,” the report concludes.
Sri Lanka declared an economic emergency last month, as a currency fall caused a spike in food prices. Its economy has been hit hard by the lack of overseas tourists.
It has had more than half a million recorded Covid cases, and 13,000 deaths from the disease.