The Jaffna Press Club (JPC) urged the international community to take immediate action to prevent 'violations of democracy and human rights from continuing', as the Sri Lankan government continued to curb the freedom of movement of journalists.
Noting that international media visiting the island for CHOGM have been restricted in their movement, the JPC stated they were "deeply concerned by such challenges to democracy".
The JPC also commented on the events that occured when British Prime Minister David Cameron's visited Jaffna on Friday, adding,
Noting that international media visiting the island for CHOGM have been restricted in their movement, the JPC stated they were "deeply concerned by such challenges to democracy".
The JPC also commented on the events that occured when British Prime Minister David Cameron's visited Jaffna on Friday, adding,
"Tamil journalists, who had gone to reporting the intentional disruption by authorities of peaceful demonstrations held by family members of missing persons and Tamil people demanding justice, were threatened by individuals believed to have been members of the security forces dressed in civil clothing, further illustrating that intimidation of Tamil journalists continues to take place on the island."See the full statement below:
"Those particularly journalists were also photographed by those same individuals – a cause for fear for their safety. In recent times such circumstances have been the backdrop of disappearances and assassinations of journalists."
"In light of these events, we again urge the international community to take appropriate action without delay."
Jaffna Press Club
Take Immediate Action to Prevent Violations of Democracy and Human Rights from Continuing
The Sri Lankan government’s announcement that all CHOGM visitors would be able to access all regions unfettered was a welcome one. However we have observed that the freedom of movement of all international media persons visiting the island has been restricted. We are deeply concerned by such challenges to democracy.
We also condemn the restraining methods used on relatives of missing persons who attempted to hand over petitions to UK Prime Minister David Cameron during his visit to Jaffna today (15/11/2013) as well as the intimidation of Tamil journalists attempting to report on the incidents.
Tamil journalists, who had gone to reporting the intentional disruption by authorities of peaceful demonstrations held by family members of missing persons and Tamil people demanding justice, were threatened by individuals believed to have been members of the security forces dressed in civil clothing, further illustrating that intimidation of Tamil journalists continues to take place on the island. Those particularly journalists were also photographed by those same individuals – a cause for fear for their safety. In recent times such circumstances have been the backdrop of disappearances and assassinations of journalists.
In light of these events, we again urge the international community to take appropriate action without delay.
Similarly, Tamils travelling to the south to raise awareness about their missing family members were blocked by authorities from completing their journey, disproving the Sri Lankan government’s assurances of freedom of movement.
The Jaffna Press Club urges that the Sri Lankan government and the international community take immediate action to prevent such violations of democracy and human rights from continuing. We especially urge visiting Commonwealth Heads of State to take up these issues.