UN expresses concerns over growing acts of violence in Sri Lanka

Colombo (News 1st): Issuing a joint statement, the United Nations Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, and the United Nations Special Advisor on the Responsibility to Protect, Karen Smith have expressed their grave concerns about the growing acts of violence on the basis of religion, including attacks against homes, places of worship and businesses, in the North Western Province of Sri Lanka. The statement adds that the recent violence in Sri Lanka has highlighted a growing influence of nationalist and extremist views of identity in the Asia region, putting religious minorities at risk. In their statement, the special advisors acknowledged and welcomed the swift response of the government, including by deploying the security forces to protect affected communities and addressing the spread of false information and incitement to violence. They also encouraged the government to make sure that these and other past similar attacks are fully investigated and those responsible for instigating or committing these violent acts are brought to justice and made accountable. The special Advisors concluded by stating that “Sri Lanka has a pluralistic society. To be a Sri Lankan is to be a Buddhist, to be Hindu, to be a Muslim, to be a Christian. All these communities are entitled to their identity, to freely exercise their religion and to live in peace and security in Sri Lanka, as recognized by the country’s constitution. We call on all Sri Lankans to respect one another.” Meanwhile, issuing a statement this afternoon (May 14), on the prevailing situation in the country, the United Nations in Sri Lanka expressed its concerns about emerging incidents of communal violence and tension in the aftermath of the April 21st terrorist attacks. The United Nations calls on the government and the security forces to ensure that the situation does not escalate. It adds that the United Nations welcomes the unequivocal condemnation expressed on many occasions by political, religious and other community leaders towards the hate-mongering and violence carried out by a few. The United Nations in Sri Lanka also calls on the security establishment to ensure that interventions, under the State of Emergency, are applied in a proportionate and non-discriminatory manner that will respect the rights of all communities and individuals while ensuring their security. The United Nations calls on the authorities to hold the perpetrators and inciters of violence to account.