New Zealand urges Freedom of expression at UNHRC

by Teena Marian 13-09-2022 | 1:29 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); New Zealand has urged Sri Lanka to ensure full protection for freedom of expression and peaceful protest.

New Zealand's delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Council said that New Zealand notes that the report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights references the impact of the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka on human rights and that it continues to support Sri Lanka and its international partners to address all impacts of the crisis.

He said that New Zealand notes the largely peaceful response of authorities to large-scale protests during the first half of 2022, and is concerned by the recent hardening of the Sri Lankan Government’s approach to protestors.

New Zealand urges Sri Lanka to ensure full protection for freedom of expression and peaceful protest.

"We note that some progress has been made concerning amending the Prevention of Terrorism Act. We urge Sri Lanka to uphold its commitment to a de-facto moratorium on arrests under the legislation and to replace the Act with new legislation which aligns with Sri Lanka’s human rights obligations," he added.

New Zealand urged Sri Lanka to work with the High Commissioner and other partners to strengthen domestic accountability measures, including for historic human rights violations.