In a statement following reports of that people who spoke to the visiting UN human rights chief, Navi Pillay, were being harassed and intimidated by the Sri Lankan military, Human Rights Watch (HRW) slammed the government's actions.
Brad Adams, HRW's Asia director said:
Brad Adams, HRW's Asia director said:
“It’s outrageous for a government that is hosting the UN human rights chief to have their security forces harass the people who met with her,”See here for full statement.
“The Sri Lankan government should announce that ‘visits’ or other forms of harassment of those who spoke to the high commissioner will be punished. And the government should make sure they punish officials who’ve already done so.”
“Despite promises to Pillay of unfettered access, Sri Lankan authorities have gone about business as usual in harassing those courageous enough to come forward to talk about the country’s many human rights problems,”
“A government that doesn’t care enough to call off its security forces for a few days while the UN’s rights chief is visiting is a government that plainly doesn’t care about respecting basic human rights.”