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2013-04-30

Sri Lanka 'increasing attacks on dissents' - Amnesty

Amnesty International has accused Sri Lanka of intensifying a crackdown on dissent and urged the Commonwealth not to hold its summit there unless the human rights situation improves.

It says the government is responsible for harassing and imprisoning critics.

Sri Lanka has rejected the allegations, saying that a rehabilitation process is under way after years of conflict.

Last week Commonwealth foreign ministers agreed to hold the summit in Colombo despite objections by Canada.

The next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is set to take place in Colombo in November and Sri Lanka would then represent the Commonwealth as its chair for the next two years.

According to Amnesty International's report, released on Tuesday, echoed some of the criticisms.

It says that journalists, lawyers, human rights activists and opposition politicians are among those who have been targeted in what the report calls "government-sanctioned abuse".

"Violent repression of dissent and the consolidation of political power go hand in hand in Sri Lanka," Polly Truscott, Amnesty International's deputy Asia Pacific director, said in the report.

"Over the past few years we have seen space for criticism decrease. There is a real climate of fear in Sri Lanka, with those brave enough to speak out against the government often having to suffer badly for it."

It said that human rights violations must end before Colombo is allowed to go ahead with hosting the meeting.

The Sri Lankan High Commission in London rejected the group's allegations, saying that a rehabilitation process is under way after years of conflict.
Source: BBC

Relates stories:
1. No reason to deny Commonwealth in Colombo - Commonwealth Secretary General
2. Canada fury at Sri Lanka choice for Commonwealth talks


4/30/2013

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