Sri Lanka: UN experts condemn crackdown on protests

Geneva [Switzerland], April 9 : UN human rights experts have urged the Sri Lankan Government to guarantee the fundamental rights of peaceful assembly and of expression during peaceful protests, amid the country's severe economic crisis.
"We are gravely concerned by the recent proclamation of a state of emergency as well as the order that blocked access to social media platforms," the experts said in a statement issued by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
"These measures seem aimed at discouraging or preventing peaceful protests in the wake of the worsening economic crisis and the lack of access to fuel, electricity, medicines and essential food items.
"We condemn the excessive use of teargas and water cannon to disperse protesters, as well as the recent block of social media platforms. We urge the Sri Lankan Government to allow students, human rights defenders and others to protest in a peaceful manner, and to freely share their political views and express their discontent, both online and offline."
The rights experts pointed out that Sri Lanka's population has been hit by rising inflation, shortages of fuel and essential goods and prolonged power cuts as a result of a scarcity of foreign exchange. The economic crisis has aggravated an already dire situation on access to food and health, causing difficulties for millions of persons living in poverty and for persons with serious medical conditions to access medicines or hospitals.
On 31 March 2022, hundreds of people gathered in front of the president's residence, demanding his resignation over his handling of the crisis, in an initially spontaneous and peaceful demonstration. Security forces fired teargas and water cannon to disperse the crowd, prompting clashes. Nearly 50 people were injured, including several journalists, and there were more than 50 arrests.
The compounded impact of foreign debt, corruption and the COVID-19 crisis has affected the country's economy. Experts called on the government to ensure that all human rights be respected and protected.
Thousands of people have since joined the daily protests, calling for political and economic reforms. The government imposed nationwide curfews from April 2 to 4, arresting over 600 people found in violation of the curfew.
On April 2, the president declared a nationwide public state of emergency, that has since been revoked, empowering him to override most laws with the exception of the constitution, while the government blocked access to several social media platforms. Access to these platforms was later restored.
The experts called on the authorities to engage in constructive and open dialogue with the Sri Lankan people.