|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 15 May 2005 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
High degree of transparency in SL society - UN Special Rapporteur by Thava Sajitharan "There is a high degree of transparency in Sri Lankan society" said the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief of the UN Commission on Human Rights who arrived in the island on May 02. The Special Rapporteur Ms.Asma Jahangir is here on invitation by the Government of Sri Lanka to analyse the situation on Freedom of Religion or Belief in the country. Having visited several locations in the country including Homagama, Kandy, Ampara, Jaffna and Killinochchi and met with Ministers, representatives of political parties, representatives of all religions, representatives of the LTTE, representatives of civil society and members of non-governmental organizations during her stay, she briefed media personnel at a press conference on her preliminary observations, held at the UN conference room in Colombo last Thursday. However during her presentation she pointed out that she had received a number of reports of violent acts of religious intolerance such as the destruction or burning places of worship. "I have noted that in most cases the perpetrators have not been brought to justice" she further observed. With regard to the claims against the exploitation of the organizations that have brought humanitarian assistance to the Tsunami victims in the country, she said "there have been allegations against some faith based organizations adopting certain methods to exploit the vulnerability of the population". Describing them as "regrettable practices" she further admitted that such activities did not constitute a criminal offence or a clear violation of the right to freedom of religion. However referring to the UN General Assembly Resolution 46/182 that urges NGOs, religious and missionary organizations to provide aid without espousing their religious opinion, she called on those who are involved in humanitarian and development efforts to respect the guiding principles on humanitarian law. The Special Rapporteur also expressed her concerns over the introduction of two draft bills that would criminalize acts of "unethical" conversion. Holding the opinion that the provisions of both draft Bills could result in the persecution of religious minorities rather than the protection and promotion of religious tolerance, she said the enactment of these bills could undermine the culture of religious tolerance enjoyed for decades in this country. When asked about UN's stance if the government of Sri Lanka goes ahead to enact the bill Asma Jahangir expressed her hope that the government would not do so as it would create a negative impression about Sri Lanka in the international communities. The report to the Commission on Human Rights on her visit that would include conclusions and recommendations is still to be finalised. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
