We Strongly Denounce the Corrupt Election and Violation of Human Rights in Sri Lanka!

Korean NGOs and migrants from Sri Lanka held a press conference to denounce the corrupt Sri Lankan presidential election on January 26, 2010, as well as the violence and continuous violations of human rights.

About 20 persons from the Korean branch of JVP (Janahaa Vimikthi Peramuna, People’s Liberation Front) and migrants from Sri Lanka attended the press conference. Korean participants were from the Migrants’ Trade Union, KHIS, PSPD (People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy), and the Institute for Democratic Labor in memory of Jun Tae-il. Also, Kasammako, the alliance of Filipino migrant workers, attended the press conference.

Sri Lankans strongly denunciated the corruption during the presidential election and the violence against the supporters of the rival party, journalists, and human rights activists and requested release of the rival candidate, Mr. Fonseka. Also, the PSPD and the KHIS, the Korean member organizations of the Forum-Asia, urged the rapid return of Mr. Razeek, the executive director of the Forum-Asia and human rights activist in Sri Lanka.

After the press conference, they demonstrated against the present situation in Sri Lanka for around 20 minutes near the embassy by using prepared boards and propaganda posters.

Below is the statement made on protest day.

[Press statement]

We Strongly Denunciate the Corrupted Election and Encroachment of Human Rights!

Sri Lanka is representative of human rights abuses because of the long civil war and following violence. The current president, Mr. Rajapaksa, became the focus of international blame for brutal attacks against civilians during the civil war against Tamil rebels. As a result, Sri Lanka was removed from board of directors for human rights in May 2008.

Mr. Rajapaksa won the presidential election on January 26, 2010 by wide margin in flawed election, which again betrayed international expectations for Sri Lanka to enhance democracy and human rights after the civil war. According to the press, the government conducted illegal election movements by using various methods, and hundreds of violence occurred during the campaign, including the deaths of four supporters of the rival candidate by brutal force. Even during the vote, the registration cards of the supporters of the rival candidate were confiscated and voters suffered by brutal attacks and threats. The process of counting the vote also raised serious suspicion. When the election result was questioned, he arrested the rival candidate, Mr. Fonseka, on the charge of plotting a coup on February 8, 2010.

And on February 11, 2010, Mr. Razeek was disappeared. His whereabout and safety remain unknown, and his disappearance provoked international concern and anxiety, reflecting recent circumstances.1)

Korean NGOs and migrant labors from Sri Lanka who long for democracy will not idly watch the government’s corrupt election and the suppression of human rights, and will strive together for democracy and peace in Sri Lanka.

We request that Sri Lankan government;
–      Invalidate the vote result immediately, and conduct a fair and free re-election
–      Release the rival candidate, and investigate the violence and illegal activities during the campaign immediately
–      Stop suppression of Tamil and human rights activitists immediately
–      Investigate Mr. Razeek’s disappearance immediately and guarantee his safety

 


People in South Gyeonggi Province Opening Peace and Unity/  Dasom Church/ Altogether/ Seoul-Gyeonggi-Incheon Migrants Trade Union/ KHIS (Korean House for International Solidarity) for Human Rights and Peace/ Supporters of Immigrant Labors/ APWSL (Asia Pacific )/ Osan Immigrant Labors Center/ Institute for Democratic Labor in memory of Jun Tae-il/ Korea Labor Network Association/ PSPD