Today–
Human Rights Day http://www.un.org/en/events/humanrightsday/
It is opportune
that when Sri Lanka which is now free of a Terrorist Threat is faced with a
very insidious kind of violation of Human Rights. This time it is state
sponsored, or instigated violations that are getting out of control, and which
instills fear over anyone who wishes to speak against any act that the Govt.
carries out to which he or she disagrees.
“Therefore
the majority prefer to stay silent, as they do not wish to incur the wrath of
the state against them or their families, and the brave prefer to speak out.”
I
attended a few meetings yesterday at which the speakers were adamant, that they
are prepared to lay down their lives to fight the grave injustices to basic
rights as practiced by the Government rather than live under this brutal
oppression. This was from an educated and well established individual, openly
stating this to the people in attendance.
To
live in Sri Lanka today, two days after the PSC has found the CJ guilty of
three out of five counts investigated, at a time when the independence of the
Judiciary is in doubt, I can understand his statement.
Unfortunately,
many people in Sri Lanka cannot understand what basic human rights is until
they come face to face with a problem and realize that they have no recourse.
It is this mentality of people, who are only concerned about their own selves,
until they themselves come face to face with the lack of basic rights, will
they understand why there is opposition to the direction this country is going.
The
rights as defined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are the simple
ideas that we in Sri Lanka of 2013 and are fighting for. See Charter
We
have had three instances in the past week where those rights, very publicly
have been compromised, and the State is the harbinger in each of them. It is
time today to reflect on what is important to human beings, what is at stake
and how we as law abiding, and patriotic citizens of this country can fight for
these simple basic inalienable rights, when laws and decrees are made in
contravention of these basic rights. Let us hope that in 2013 we can make
inroads in regaining what we have lost. We must all work together.
2 comments:
Intellectuals for human rights has just published its report for 2012 to coincide with the International HR day.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/24159-lawlessness-in-lanka-hr-report.html
Given their proclivity to be leeching employees rather than business owners, I think Sri Lankans appreciate this one:
Article 24
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Post a Comment