The statement has been issued to mark one year since the issuing of the gag order, travel restrictions and TID investigation against Sri Lankan human rights defender Ruki Fernando.
It says,
The 21st March 2015 will mark one year since a court order restricting the freedom of expression on leading Sri Lankan human rights defender and writer, Ruki Fernando was obtained by the Terrorist Investigation Department (TID). Such restriction on freedom of expression of a prolific writer and commentator on human rights issues such as Ruki, is unprecedented in recent Sri Lankan history.
Ruki and another colleague were arrested on 16th March 2014 during a fact finding mission to the war ravaged Northern part of the country. Both were released on 19th March 2014 after massive national and international outrage. Immediately after his release, Ruki gave interviews to local and international media. As a result of this, he faced intimidation after his release and a fresh investigation was launched against him by the TID. The TID also obtained Court Orders restriction Ruki’s overseas travels and freedom of expression, and also confiscated communication equipment[1], all of which are effective till today.
Ruki’s arrest had resulted in him being branded a traitor and terrorist supporter by some media and Sinhalese nationalist groups, and the restriction on freedom of expression had made it difficult for him to respond to such accusations and defamation and defend himself. His human rights work locally and internationally as well as personal life has been constrained by the need to go to courts each time he needs to travel overseas. Even after obtaining court permission, he was compelled to miss a flight when he was travelling overseas for a human rights conference and he had faced delays, humiliation on other occasions he was travelling overseas for human rights work, due to being stopped and questioned by the Immigration and State Intelligence Service officers.
It is now more than 4 months since Ruki’s lawyers had made verbal and written submissions to the Attorney General’s Department about the closure of the case and lifting of the restrictions[2]. There has been an indication of readiness to lift the travel restriction. But the Attorney General’s Department and the TID has refused to close the investigation, return the confiscated equipment and lift of the gag order.
This clearly indicates the continuing anti –human rights and media freedom mind-set of the security establishment and the insensitivity of the new political leadership towards same. It shows that HRDs released from detention can be subjected to continued harassments and restrictions, despite the new political leadership in Sri Lanka. The conditions imposed on Ms. Balendran Jeyakumari, a woman HRD released on bail on 10th March 2015 after 362 days in detention, reaffirms this.
We the undersigned fully endorse and look forward to “...the day when all human rights defenders and dissenters can be free from accusations of supporting terrorism and are able enjoy their rights to express themselves and travel freely” (as said by Ruki ).
Signatures:
Individuals
Ainslie Joseph - Convener/Chief Animator, Christian Alliance for Social Action (CASA)
Amal de Chickera
Anberiya Hanifa
Anthony Jesudasan
B. Gowthaman
Balasingham Skanthakumar
Brito Fernando
Budi Tjahjono
Chamila Thushari
Damaris Wickremesekera
Deanne Uyangoda
Dr. Cheran Rudhramoorthy
Dr. Leonie Solomons - Executive Director, Language Matters
Dr. Muhammad Muzzammil Cader – Convener, People's Movement for Non-Violence
Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu - Executive Director, Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA)
Dr. Richard Perera
Dulan de Silva
E.M. Bandara Menike
Emil van der Poorten - Community Activist seeking to uphold basic human rights
Faizun Zackariya - Citizens' Voice for Justice and Peace
Freddy Gamage – Editor, Meepura Newspaper
Gajen Mahendra
Gamini Viyangoda
Godfrey Yogarajah - Executive Director, World Evangelical Alliance – Religious Liberty Commission (WEA RLC)
Herman Kumara - Convener, NAFSO
Ian Ferdinands
Indika Udugampola
Jake Oorloff
Jayampathi Bulathsinhala
Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala
Joanne Senn
Joe William
Jovita Arulanantham
K. Guruparan - Attorney-at-Law
Kalani Subasinghe
Kelly Senanayaka
Krishan Rajapakshe
Krishna Subramaniam
Kusal Perera - Journalist
Laaurence KWARK
Lesley Sirimane
M. Nilashani
M.M. Rahman – Journalist, Mannar
Manjula Wediwardana
Marianne Johnpillai
Marisa de Silva
Melani Manel Perera – Journalist
Melisha Yapa
Menaha Kandasamy - Red Flag Women's Movement
Michaela Told
Monica Alfred
Nadarajah Gurupararan
Nalini Ratnarajah - Women Human Rights Defender
Nicola Perera
Nilantha Ilangamuwa - Journalist & Editor of Sri Lanka Guardian
Nilshan Fonseka
Nimal Perera – CSM
Nimalka Fernando
Nirmala Rajasingam
P. Selvaratnam
P. Vijayashanthan - Theatre Activist
P.N. Singham
Paba Deshapriya
Padmi Liyanage
Philip Setunga
Poddala Jayantha
Prof. Ajit Abeysekera
Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda - University of Colombo
Prof. Jayantha Seneviratne - University of Kelaniya
R.M.B Senanayake - Retired C.C.S
Rajany Chandrasegaram
Ranjith Henayakaarachchi
Rasika Manobuddhi
Ravindra Chandralal
Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph - Bishop of Mannar
Rev. Fr. Jeyabalan Croos
Rev. Fr. Sherard Jayawardane
Rev. Fr. T. L. R. Dominic
Rev. Jason J. Selvaraja - Assembly of God, Chavakachcheri
Rev. Sr. Anne Perera- HF – CSM
Rev. Sr. Deepa Fernando – HF
Rev. Sr. Nichola
Rev. Sr. Noel Christine Fernando - SCJM, Sri Lanka
Rohini Hensman - Writer and Independent Scholar
Ruwandi Silva
S. R. Perera
S.C.C. Elankovan
Sampath Samarakoon
Senaka Wattegedara
Shantha D. Pathirana – Human Rights Defender
Shreen Saroor
Sivasamy Sivarajan
Sunanda Deshapriya
Sunil Jayasekara
Suren D. Perera
T. Mathuri – Attorney-at-Law
Tanuja Thurairajah - Researcher
Tejshree Thapa
Udaya Kalupathirana
Udaya R. Tennakoon
V. Sanjeev
Visaka Dharmadasa
Organizations
Association of War Affected Women (AWAW)
INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre
National Peace Council (NPC)
Rights Now Collective for Democracy
