By Sri Lanka finds itself in a precarious state, grappling with a crippling economic crisis while facing persistent human rights concerns. The 2023 Human Rights Watch report paints a grim picture, highlighting the ongoing struggles with accountability, eroded freedoms, and marginalized communities.
The economic crisis, the report notes, has disproportionately impacted low-income earners, undermining their basic rights to food, healthcare, and education. An International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, prioritizing austerity measures with minimal social protection, has further exacerbated these hardships.
Freedom Under Attack:
Justice remains elusive, with little progress on accountability for past human rights violations, including war crimes and enforced disappearances. A proposed truth commission raises concerns about retraumatization and inadequate consultation with victims.
Freedoms of expression and assembly are under attack, with arrests and proposed legislation like the Online Safety Bill and Anti-Terrorism Bill raising alarm bells about shrinking space for dissent.
Women and girls bear the brunt of the economic crisis, shouldering increased household responsibilities while facing discriminatory laws like the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act. The LGBTQ+ community also faces continued marginalization, with same-sex relations and transgender identities criminalized under existing laws.
Tamil and Muslim minority communities experience ongoing marginalization, land grabs, and intrusive surveillance.
International Pressure:
However, a glimmer of hope emerges from international pressure. The EU’s GSP+ program, which grants trade benefits conditional on human rights improvements, is pushing for reform. Canada has imposed sanctions on individuals implicated in human rights violations. The UN Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka is due for renewal in 2024, offering an opportunity for continued scrutiny.
Despite the government’s rhetoric on human rights, the report highlights a stark disconnect between words and actions. The rivalry between China and other powers in the region further complicates the situation, impacting the delivery of aid and support.
Concequance at UNHRC:
Predicting the consequences for Sri Lanka at the next UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session in light of the grim human rights picture outlined in the 2023 Human Rights Watch report is complex and involves a multitude of factors. However, The severity of the issues described in the report, especially the lack of progress on accountability and continued violations of fundamental rights, is likely to lead to heightened scrutiny and criticism from UN member states and human rights organizations.
