Action Alert ArchiveChurches Become Sri Lanka's Next TargetMarch 20, 2007 As churches grow more and more vocal about the incessant attacks on local civilians, the government is taking a more forceful approach to silence them. While the churches have always been considered a refuge for those unfortunately caught up in the fighting, it seems now that even these places are not off limits in the war. Places of worship provide people with a sanctuary from the physical violence as well as their spirit. The Sri Lankan Government has shown that, even in these desperate times of war, it cannot and will not maintain its promises of safety and protection to the people anywhere. Last June, some 200 Tamils had been taking shelter in a church when a hand grenade was lobbed in through the window. One person was killed and over 40 were injured. Eyewitnesses claimed the navy and army had stormed in and opened fire. However, the government denied these calls and said that the building was simply caught in the firefight. Even the local church ministers and officials are being targeted. The body of Reverend Nallathamby Gnanaseelan was discovered on the street this past January. Gnanaseelan was found shot in the stomach and head and his personal items stolen including his Bible and I.D. Last August, Reverend Jim Brown and his associate Wenceslaus Vinces Vimalathas went missing when they went to check on their church. Witnesses sighted the two being followed by a group of six armed men on motorcycles. These attacks are nothing new, either. Back in December of 1999, an artillery attack on a Catholic church in the Mannar district left 42 Tamils dead and another 61 injured. In December 2005, the Christmas mass ceremonies in the Batticaloa church were desecrated when assassins stormed the church and fatally shot Member of Parliament and human rights activist Joseph Pararajasingham. With each and every death the accountability of the government diminishes. Intolerance for any religion is just as dangerous as chauvinism for one religion over others, and portends wider-reaching intolerance. We call upon the United States to step into this matter and condemn the Sri Lankan Government for their atrocities. It must be brought to bear to the government that the targeting of churches and civilians during a time of war is a crime that will not be tolerated without preventative sanctions. |
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Jun 20, 2008 - Aftenposten
Peace brokers from around the world will once again gather for the annual Oslo Forum next week, to swap experience in conflict mediation. Participants include Mohammad Khatami, former president of Iran; Jonathan Powell, former chief of staff for ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Gareth Evans, president of the International Crisis Group. Read this article
As Sri Lanka's civil war escalates, so do attacks on its journalists
Jun 19, 2008 - AP
With civil war raging in Sri Lanka, the journalists trying to cover the conflict find themselves increasingly under siege. They have been hounded by the government, attacked by unknown assailants and accused of aiding the rebels. Many reporters have been arrested or fled the country, while others have resorted to self-censorship, journalists said.Read this article
Review of Sri Lanka under the Universal Periodic Review
Jun 14, 2008 - Amnesty International
Themes raised by member states participating in the review of Sri Lanka under the UPR dialogue included concerns related to the lack of protection of civilians caught in the internal conflict; enforced disappearances, unlawful/extrajudicial killings; torture and other forms of ill treatment, threats to freedom of expression, the need to strengthen national human rights institutions, attacks on dissent and ongoing impunity for human rights violations.
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Press freedom in Sri Lanka continues to deteriorate
Jun 13, 2008 - CPJ
The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by government’s policies toward journalists who write critically about the conflict between Sri Lanka’s military forces and Tamil secessionists. We have seen an increase in harassment, intimidation, and detention of reporters, many of whom are columnists in senior positions with well-established careers.
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S.Lanka says peace brokers can't visit rebel area
Jun 12, 2008 - Reuters
Sri Lanka has refused requests by Norwegian peace mediators to visit rebel territory, and said fresh peace talks hinged on Tamil Tiger guarantees to lay down arms and stick to a negotiation timetable. Nordic ceasefire monitors quit the country this year after the six-year Norway brokered truce disintegrated.
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