Lawyers for Democracy voice deep concern

(February 16, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Lawyers for Democracy, a body of lawyers representing over 300 lawyers around the country committed to democratic values, has expressed its deep concern and condemned the events of the past week where a person’s right to protest and expression guaranteed in the Constitution, was severely undermined by the law enforcement authorities and supporters of the government.

A release issued by the organization noted that thousands of citizens of Sri Lanka took to the streets to protest the unlawful arrest of the common opposition presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka but were deprived of their right to peaceful protest, when unwarranted power and violence was unleashed on them.

It noted that the lawyers had witnessed first hand the barbaric patterns in obstructing the peaceful protests in several places including Hulftsdorp, near the main courts complex.

In the release they have expressed shock at witnessing that protestors were first attacked by hooligans and thugs who were provided protection by the police and that subsequently the same peaceful protestors were beaten by the police.

The lawyers also noted that Sri Lanka had ratified the international convention on civil and political rights which guarantees the freedom of expression.