Anglican Church in Ceylon calls for urgent action by UN Human Rights Council

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Photo credit: Dinuka Liyanawatte / Reuters

The Anglican Church of Ceylon, with the support of the Office of the Anglican Communion of the United Nations, calls for urgent action from the Human Rights Council.

The Anglican Church in Ceylon is increasingly concerned about the deterioration of human rights in Sri Lanka. They highlighted the polarization of institutions and society, the politicization of vaccination efforts, the militarization of politics and other institutions, and government crackdown on peaceful protesters.

Their case is presented at 48e session of the United Nations Human Rights Council by the Permanent Representative of the Anglican Communion to the United Nations, Jack Palmer-White. The Anglican Communion Office at the UN submitted a report to the Council with specific recommendations for the government of Sri Lanka based on the concerns of the Church of Ceylon.

The report examined ethno-nationalist sentiments that favor majority ethnicity and religion and calls for the politicization of Covid vaccination efforts. The report said: “The government has done little to respond to false accusations on social media that Muslims are deliberately spreading the virus and the corresponding calls to boycott Muslim businesses.”

He recommended that the government continue the process of constitutional reforms, “including the consideration of a new Bill of Rights which will guarantee, inter alia, the right to life and the right to non-discrimination on any ground. that is “.

He also highlighted concerns about military personnel who continue to be appointed to government posts and the ruling party’s lack of accountability, particularly in the investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. The report recommends the end of military involvement in civilian functions.

The report said: “The cornerstone of any democracy must be the ability to hold opposing views. The government’s current approach does not reflect the values ​​that contribute to a society based on universal equality and dignity. From the point of view of the Church, which is apolitical and wants to be a source of integration, this approach directly conflicts with its presence and its ministry in this diverse country.

The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations system made up of 47 States. The Council is responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. The 48e Human Rights Council session began on September 13 and continues until October 8.

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