BRIEF: New Report on Silenced Dissent in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka- A new report released by Amnesty International (AI) has found that threats to media freedom are very serious in Sri Lanka, and have been since the civil war resumed in 2006.  AI is concerned that the Sri Lanka government is not meeting its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Many reporters have been illegally detained under recently enacted Emergency Regulations.  Not only are reporters’ rights threatened, but so are their lives.  In just the past two years, at least 10 journalists, mostly Tamil, have been killed and others have been abducted and tortured.  According to AI, the people responsible have not been punished by the government.

For more information, please see:

Amnesty International – Sri Lanka: Silencing Dissent – 7 February 2008

Impunity Watch – Sri Lanka: Poor Human Rights Record Noted on Day of Independence – 3 February 2008

Author: Impunity Watch Archive