(Kathmandu/Bangkok, 10 April 2019) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) condemns and is deeply concerned over the announcement from the President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena that dates have been set for the execution for drug offenders in the country. This would put an end to the country’s 43-year moratorium on [ Read more ]

Sri Lanka: Government must ensure the independence of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (Bangkok, 28 March 2019) – The Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI) expresses deep concern over the accusations made by the President and Members of the Parliament against the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL). ANNI [ Read more ]

40th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 2: Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka Oral Statement Delivered by Rosanna Ocampo On behalf of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Wednesday, 20 March 2019 Mr. President, FORUM-ASIA welcomes the report [ Read more ]

February 25, 2019 Your Excellency, Sri Lanka: Need for time-bound plan for implementation of commitments to the Human Rights Council We write to seek your support in ensuring that the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC or Council) adopts a resolution at this 40th session to maintain scrutiny of Sri Lanka’s progress towards implementation of [ Read more ]

This event will address progress in implementing the Human Rights Council resolution 30/1 and required steps, in the format of presentations from human rights defenders from Sri Lanka and testimonies. Date: Thursday, 28 February 2019 Time: 13.30 – 14.30 Venue: Room XXVII, Palais des Nations Chair: Mr. Budi Tjahjono, Franciscans International Speakers: Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Centre for [ Read more ]

Ruki Fernando of our member INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre met with female activists who had been attacked or intimidated by the Sri Lankan authorities due to their work on disappearances, and visited the families of the disappeared who have been protested for more than 500 days in Vavuniya. Ruki recounted the struggles and challenges faced by [ Read more ]

The Law & Society Trust, Sri Lanka is pleased to publish “A Snapshot of the Criminal Justice System: Building a Picture Through Sexual Violence Cases in the Court of Appeal” by Shenali De Silva. In the current environment of transitional justice in Sri Lanka, there is an inevitable focus on considering the criminal justice system [ Read more ]

Ruki Fernando of our member INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre recently followed a community from the Iranaitheevu twin islands in Sri Lanka which was trying to reclaim their island home from the Navy. He recounts his journey: On the morning of April 23, 2018, about 300 people from the Iranaitheevu twin islands decided to sail there [ Read more ]

37th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 2: Report of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka Oral Statement Delivered by R. Iniyan Ilango on behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Thursday, 22 March 2018 [ Read more ]

37th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 6: Universal Periodic Review of Sri Lanka Oral Statement Delivered by R. Iniyan Ilango on behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)  Monday, 19 March 2018 Mr. President, FORUM-ASIA notes that the government of Sri Lanka has accepted 177 out of 232 [ Read more ]