MADRID, 16 (EUROPA PRESS)
The NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the UN Human Rights Office to monitor "deep-rooted and systematic" rights violations—such as arbitrary detentions and torture—in Sri Lanka under the government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, following a report by the international organization certifying the lack of freedoms in the country.
"The UN Human Rights Council should take note of senior human rights official Volker Turk's observations regarding the persistence of abuses by security agencies and take action," said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
The NGO asserted that the use of "draconian" laws such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Online Security Act threaten "freedom of expression" and allow "torture and prolonged arbitrary detention." These laws the country's president promised to repeal or amend during the 2024 election campaign, but failed to honor his promise once in power.
Specifically, the increase in cases under anti-terrorism legislation is "worrying," rising from 38 cases in all of 2024 to 49 instances during the first five months of 2025.
"The government continues to repress the activities of non-governmental organizations and human rights activists. Many groups face funding limitations, while agents from the Terrorism Investigation Division frequently summon activists for questioning or visit their homes or offices," the HRW statement reads.
In light of this situation, the NGO has highlighted the importance of the UN Human Rights Council's work to present "continuous reports" that attest to the abuses committed by the Sri Lankan government and to pressure it to put an "end" to "the surveillance and harassment of victims' families and human rights activists" with a moratorium on the anti-terrorism law.
"After one year in office, President Dissanayake has not significantly improved Sri Lanka's appalling human rights record. Continued engagement with the Human Rights Council and renewal of the accountability project are crucial as the government fails to fulfill its obligation to respect and protect the rights of all Sri Lankans," Ganguly stressed.
