Authorities must protect Muslims against violence – Amnesty International

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – Responding to the attacks against Muslim-owned businesses, Mosques and houses in several parts of Sri Lanka, Amnesty International’s South Asia Researcher, Thyagi Ruwanpathirana stated that “The Sri Lankan Authorities must protect the country’s Muslim minority as it is being targeted by mobs in horrific attacks on their homes, Mosques and businesses in the wake of the Easter Sunday massacre. The Authorities must take steps to promote unity in diversity against the forces of hatred, those promoting fear and violence, and pitting communities against each other.”

“The Authorities must put the protection of human rights at the heart of its response and prevent further violence, including holding the suspected perpetrators of earlier attacks accountable. In particular, prosecutions must also meet international fair trial standards,” Ruwanpathirana stressed.

“It is alarming to see reports that those suspected to be involved in the March 2018 anti-Muslim violence may have been involved in these recent attacks as well,” she said, adding that “These attacks did not emerge out of a vacuum. There were clear signs that a backlash against Muslims was underway and the authorities could have acted on reports of threats earlier, potentially preventing much of the violence over recent days.”