Defend civic space upon which peace is built
by Jehan Perera International Peace Day was observed on 21 September. It finds Sri Lanka with a genuine achievement to record and a demanding test to meet. The UN’s theme this year was “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.” It also honoured the “everyday architects of peace”—people driving local action and building a […]
International Peace Day was observed on 21 September, with Sri Lanka recognized for its genuine progress and facing a challenging task ahead. The United Nations' theme highlighted the importance of investing in peace for everyone, everywhere, every day. This year's Global Peace Index ranked Sri Lanka as 67th out of 163 countries, a 30-place improvement from its previous position. However, global peacefulness declined for the twelfth consecutive year, with South Asia experiencing the sharpest regional deterioration.
The progress in Sri Lanka is attributed to the actions taken against corruption, arrests, and investigations related to political killings, enforced disappearances, and the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights acknowledged these achievements, but also noted that sustainable peace depends on addressing the unresolved causes of conflict, strengthening accountability for past and present abuses, and protecting civic space.
The draft NGO law poses a significant threat to the civic space in Sri Lanka. It proposes extensive state oversight and control over civil society organizations, including licensing requirements, severe penalties for non-compliance, and potential deregistration. This law would exert excessive control over NGOs, many of which are dedicated to promoting peace and addressing the underlying issues that have fueled the conflict.
Despite these challenges, Sri Lanka has committed itself to equality, accountability, and the rule of law. However, the government alone cannot achieve sustainable peace. It requires active participation from communities, families seeking justice for their disappeared loved ones, journalists and lawyers exposing abuse, and community organizations fostering cooperation among different ethnic and religious groups.
The UN High Commissioner's report on the current Human Rights Council session reveals ongoing issues that need to be addressed. These include the continued application of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which leads to arbitrary arrests and prolonged detention without charge; the lack of release of military-occupied land and support for memorialization efforts; and the persistent tensions over land and religious sites.
An unresolved dispute in Batticaloa district between Tamil cattle farmers and Sinhala cultivators has remained unresolved for years, despite multiple presidential instructions. The same pattern of unresolved disputes persists, hardening into new grievances over time. Accountability for past abuses, such as torture, deaths in custody, and surveillance and intimidation of activists, journalists, and civil society organizations, remains inadequate, with serious cases still pending for years.
Transitional Justice, which encompasses truth, accountability, reparations, and non-recurrence, is essential for sustainable peace. In Sri Lanka's context, this means credible investigations into the disappearance of individuals, prosecution of those responsible for such acts, reparations for victims, and the return of military-held land. Additionally, repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act, releasing those held under it, and resolving local disputes before they escalate are crucial steps towards lasting peace.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
