The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) calls on the Sri Lankan authorities to investigate the new threats against its Council member, Mr. Brito Fernando of Families of the Disappeared.

Based on the account of Mr. Fernando, past 10:30 evening of 4 January 2015, he, together with his wife and daughter arrived home to find a polythine bag hanging in his gate. He did not inspect it with his family around as his daughter was already crying out of fear. He opened it around 6:00 in the morning the next day and found the head of a dog cut from the neck with blood around it. He assumed the dog was just killed the night before it was placed on his gate.

Mr. Fernando is a vocal critic of the Rajapaksa government due to its worsening human rights record especially on the issue of enforced disappearance. In October, malicious posters against him and other human rights defenders came out on the day of the annual memorial celebration for the disappeared. The windows of his house were also stoned at.

The above series of events show that forces angered by Mr. Fernando’s human rights advocacy want to intimidate him into silence.

The Families of the Disappeared, an organization headed by Mr. Fernando is working for truth and justice for thousands of victims of enforced disappearance. Why should its leaders be threatened and dissuaded from their activities? The Sri Lankan government is State-Party to international human rights treaties that guarantee freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, among others. It is obligated to protect Mr. Fernando and other human rights defenders.

In particular, the Declaration on the Rights of Human Rights Defenders calls upon states to:

• Conduct prompt and impartial investigations of alleged violations of human rights;

• Take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of everyone against any violence, threats, retaliation, adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the Declaration

Finally, AFAD calls on the Sri Lankan people, especially those in positions of influence to speak out against ongoing attacks on human rights defenders. They are those brave souls who are standing against a repressive government to demand accountability for its avowed human rights obligations under the international community. They need your support.

Authenticated by:

KHURRAM PARVEZ
Chairperson

MARY AILEEN D. BACALSO
Secretary-General