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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DilWala" data-source="post: 16802827" data-attributes="member: 360501">“It is shocking to note that the Government, which was able to deploy  the armed forces against the unarmed villagers to safeguard the  interest of a corporate entity during the Rathupaswala incident, did not  take any emergency measure to protect the Muslims with the same sense  of urgency. The recently established special police unit aimed to deal  with religious clashes is only a cosmetic measure to appease the  international community.” one of the IMADR staff member said on behalf  of its president, Dr <a href="https://www.colombotelegraph.com/?s=Nimalka+Fernando&x=8&y=3" target="_blank">Nimalka Fernando</a> today. <a href="https://www.colombotelegraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Nimalka-Fernando.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.colombotelegraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Nimalka-Fernando.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a>Dr.Nimalka Fernando The International Movement Against All Forms Of Discrimination And Racism, said in its oral submission to the 26th session  of the Human Rights Council said; “BBS has carried out attacks against  mosques and business establishments of Muslims and intensified its  campaign against other religious communities including Christians.  Government high officials, especially the <a href="https://www.colombotelegraph.com/?s=Gotabaya+Rajapaksa&x=7&y=6" target="_blank">Defence Secretary</a>, have been directly involved in supporting the BBS through participating in their public events.” We publish below her submission in full; Thank you Mr. President, We strongly condemn <a href="https://www.colombotelegraph.com/?s=Aluthgama&x=6&y=9" target="_blank">the violence unleashed</a>  in South Western Sri Lanka which resulted in the death of 3 persons and  the serious injury of approximately 80 people. It is outrageous that  the Government of Sri Lanka ignored our appeals over the past year and  allowed the <a href="https://www.colombotelegraph.com/?s=Bodu+Bala+Sena&x=7&y=3" target="_blank">Bodu Bala Sena</a>  (BBS) to continue to operate committing hate crimes against Muslims and  Christians. In her report to the Council last March, The High  Commissioner referred to the emergence of religious extremism and urged  the Government to take measures against hate speech and such  intolerance. Unfortunately, some member States dismissed our calls by  categorising these incidents as sporadic violence. IMADR, together with other civil society organisations, have  consistently taken the position that the failure of the Government to  facilitate an environment towards reconciliation and lasting peace based  on the <a href="https://www.colombotelegraph.com/?s=LLRC&x=8&y=8" target="_blank">LLRC</a>  recommendations would lead to intensified tensions again. We have  called the Government to take actions against the BBS and promulgate  laws to deal with their hate speech and violent activities. BBS has  carried out attacks against mosques and business establishments of  Muslims and intensified its campaign against other religious communities  including Christians. Government high officials, especially the <a href="https://www.colombotelegraph.com/?s=Gotabaya+Rajapaksa&x=7&y=6" target="_blank">Defence Secretary</a>, have been directly involved in supporting the BBS through participating in their public events. It is shocking to note that the Government, which was able to deploy  the armed forces against the unarmed villagers to safeguard the interest  of a corporate entity during the Rathupaswala incident, did not take  any emergency measure to protect the Muslims with the same sense of  urgency. The recently established special police unit aimed to deal with  religious clashes is only a cosmetic measure to appease the  international community. We insist that the Government of Sri Lanka investigates the heinous  acts immediately and adopt measures to prevent the repetition of such  violence. We call upon the international community to support the human  rights defenders in Sri Lanka who are working against religious  extremism and assisting victims to achieve justice. We also believe that  this is an opportunity for all the Council member States to ensure the  effective implementation of the resolution on “Promoting reconciliation,  accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka” (A/HRC/25/L.1/Rev.1).</blockquote>

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