“Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Concerned Over Use of Force Against Protesters”

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka expressed concerns over law enforcement officers who resorted to the use of tear gas, water cannons and wooden rods as a crowd control mechanism to disperse protesters over the past few days.Issuing a statement, the HRCSL noted that every citizen is entitled to the freedom of Assembly and expression and that this right has been exercised by different individuals and groups in the country.

The statement further read that the Commission has initiated inquiries and investigation procedures to ascertain whether the crowd control procedures adopted by law enforcement officers are in line with constitutional provisions, international human rights obligations of Sri Lanka and basic principles of respecting human dignity.

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles is expected to appear before the Commission tomorrow for an inquiry over the violent crackdown by the Police on March 7 and 8 when dispersing protests held near the Universities of Colombo and Kelaniya.The Commission is optimistic that the discussion with the Minister would help adopt a mechanism to prevent the violations of fundamental human rights in future and recommend guidelines in compliance with human rights for the control of crowds during protests.The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka expressed concerns over law enforcement officers who resorted to the use of tear gas, water cannons and wooden rods as a crowd control mechanism to disperse protesters over the past few days.Issuing a statement, the HRCSL noted that every citizen is entitled to the freedom of Assembly and expression and that this right has been exercised by different individuals and groups in the country.