Date
Type
12/09/2012
JUA
Case No
Country
Mandate(s)
Summary of the allegation transmitted
Reply
LKA 4/2012
Sri Lanka
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful
assembly and of
association;
Human rights
defenders;
19/06/2013
Allegations of violations against human rights defenders, including attempted
abduction, surveillance and intimidation. According to the information received,
Dr. Nirmal Dewasiri, President of the Federation of University Teachers Unions
and Secretary of the Arts Faculty Teachers’ Association of the University of
Colombo, has been subjected to repeated acts of surveillance and intimidation.
Most recently, on 22 June 2012, Dr. Dewasiri received a phone call from a person
who identified himself as one of two men from the Ministry of Defence who
were witnessed on 19 June enquiring about him to neighbours. During the call,
the man reportedly threatened to harm Dr. Dewasiri’s family if he did not cease
his trade union activities. On 5 July 2012, prominent Sri Lanka X News journalist
and human rights defender Mr. Shantha P. Wijesooriya was in the Colombo
suburb of Nugegoda, when he noticed that he was being followed by a white van.
He changed his route in order to avoid the van, and while doing so, two
unidentified persons attempted to grab him and drag him towards the van, the
journalist managed to escape. Sources indicate that Mr. Wijesooriya and other Sri
Lanka X News journalists have been repeatedly subjected to threats and
intimidation since 2008. On 25 April 2011, Mr. Wijesooriya was arrested and
detained for seventeen days on charges of contempt for an article published by
Sri Lanka X News. Since September 2011, Mr. Wijesooriya and members of his
family have reportedly received visits from military intelligence and CID
officials, while unidentified individuals have asked about the journalist near his
home.
A/HRC/24/21
69
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