13th July, 2015
Open Letter to all Political Parties – Key Pledges to be included in Manifestos
We the undersigned Sri Lankan civil society activists and organizations, wish to bring to your attention human rights issues of pivotal importance to reconciliation, unity, peace and prosperity in our country, which we strongly believe should be included in your party manifestos for the forthcoming General Election.
During the campaign period leading to the January 2015 Presidential Election, the focus was governance and anti- corruption as the immediate need of the day to salvage democracy and restore the rule of law in Sri Lanka. There appeared to be a consensus that once this was done and an enabling environment thereby created, the longer term issues of peace and reconciliation, the process of transitional justice, an end to the culture of impunity in respect of all human rights violations and a political settlement of the ethnic conflict, would be addressed in earnest.
We are of the firm belief that the Parliament to be elected on the 17 of August will have to address these issues as a matter of the utmost priority if we as Sri Lankans are to realize the full potential for peace and prosperity in a truly united country that is inherent in all our fellow citizens. We have languished for too long in a post- war situation, in which the roots of conflict are sustained and even allowed to be reproduced. We need to move to a post-conflict situation characterized by the absence of human rights violations and in order to do so, we strongly urge that the following, in particular, be included as firm pledges in your manifestos.
1. Commit to a political and constitutional settlement of the ethnic conflict based on meaningful power-sharing.
2. Ensure families have access to the truth, and hold accountable all those responsible for enforced and involuntary disappearances, and that the crime of disappearances be criminalized under Sri Lankan Law.
3. Repeal or reform the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), bringing it in line with Sri Lanka’s international obligations, and that all long-term detainees be charged or released with immediate effect.
4. Zero tolerance on the issues of enforced and involuntary disappearance, torture, religious and gender based violence and attacks, suppression of dissent and threats on Human Rights Defenders (HRDs).
5. Bring an end to the prevailing culture of impunity, and strengthen the judiciary to uphold the law and hold accountable all those responsible for human rights violations.
6. Put in place processes and mechanisms of transitional justice in conformity with international standards, and continued, constructive engagement with victims, affected communities, local civil society groups and the international community.
7. Ensure an enabling environment for civil society activism.
8. Implement pro-people, participatory and sustainable economic, development and environmental policies, approaches and practices. Let us NOT miss this historic opportunity for true reform and reconciliation!
Sincerely,
Individuals
1. Alphonse Mary – Batticaloa
2. Ameer M. Faaiz – Attorney-at-law
3. Anandi Sivasubramanium
4. Anberiya Hanifa
5. Anushaya Collure
6. Aruni Jayakody – Attorney-at-law
7. B. Gowthaman – Attorney-at-law
8. Balasingham Skanthakumar
9. Bhavani Fonseka – Attorney-at-law
10. Brito Fernando
11. C. Ranitha Gnanarajah – Attorney-at-law
12. Cayathri D
13. Chandraguptha Thenuwara – Artist/Senior Lecturer
14. Dr. J. T. Xavier F.R.C.S. (Retd.) – Batticaloa
15. Dr. Jehan Perera
16. Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu
17. Faizun Zackariya
18. Gajen Mahendra
19. Gehan Gunatilleke – Attorney-at-law
20. Godfrey Yogarajah
21. Herman Kumara
22. Hilmy Ahamed
23. Jacqueline
24. Jansila Majeed
25. Jayanta de S. Wijeratne
26. Jeanne Samuel
27. Joe William
28. K. Aingkaran
29. K.S. Ratnavale – Attorney-at-law
30. Kalani Subasinghe
31. Kusal Perera – Journalist
32. Mala Liyange
33. Manori Kalugampitiya
34. Mario Gomez
35. Marisa de Silva
36. Menaha Kandasamy
37. Minoli de Soysa
38. Mirak Raheem
39. Mohammed Mahuruf
40. Nalini Ratnarajah
41. Nilshan Fonseka
42. Nimalka Fernando – Attorney-at-law
43. Niran Anketell – Attorney-at-law
44. Prabodha Rathnayaka – Attorney-at-law
45. Prof. Jayantha Seneviratne – University of Kelaniya
46. Prof. M.S. Mookiah
47. R.M.B Senanayake – Retd. CCS
48. Rajaledsumi – Women’s Rights Activist
49. Rev. Fr. Anthony Fernando – Salesian of Don Bosco
50. Rev. Fr. Dixon Fernando SDB – Rector, Don Bosco – Dungalpitiya
51. Rev. Fr. Jeyabalan Croos
52. Rev. Fr. Jeyaraj Rasiah SJ
53. Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary SJ – Batticaloa
54. Rev. Fr. Nihal Liyanage
55. Rev. Fr. Rohan Dominic
56. Rev. Fr. V. Yogeswaran – Attorney-at-law
57. Rev. Sr. Deepa Fernando HF
58. Rev. Sr. Nichola Emmanuel SCJM
59. Rev. Sr. Victorine James – Holy Cross Provincialate, Kochchikade
60. Rohini Dep Weerasinghe
61. Rosanna Flamer-Caldera
62. Ruki Fernando
63. Sathiya Sarasakopal
64. Sheila Richards
65. Shreen Saroor
66. Shyamala Gomez
67. Solomon Anthony Nirmalan – Claretian Congregation
68. Sudarshana Gunawardana – Attorney-at-law
69. Sunanda Deshapriya
70. T. Mathuri – Attorney-at-law
71. Udaya Kalupathirana
72. Visaka Dharmadasa
Organizations
73. Alliance Development Trust
74. Association of War Affected Women
75. Centre for Human Rights and Development (CHRD)
76. Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA)
77. Center for Promotion & Protection of Human Rights (CPPHR)
78. Ceylon Workers Red Flag Union
79. Citizens’ Voice for Justice and Peace
80. Domestic Workers Union (DWU)
81. Equal Ground Sri Lanka
82. Federation of Media Employee’s Trade Unions
83. Inform Human Rights Documentation Centre
84. International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES)
85. Kantha Shakthi Forum 86. Muslim Council of Sri Lanka
87. National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO)
88. National Peace Council (NPC)
89. Red Flag Women’s Movement
90. Right to Life Human Rights Centre
91. Rights Now Collective for Democracy
92. Sisters of the Holy Cross
93. South Asian Centre for Legal Studies
94. Young Asia Television (YATV)
