The Asian Human Rights Commission expresses concern relating to the safety of the common candidate of the opposition Maithripala Sirisena, who has faced numerous attacks during the past several days.
“He has himself alerted the public to the threat to his life in a statement he produced yesterday (4th January 2015).We urge the Government and the Commissioner of Elections to give all the protection that he deserves as a presidential candidate if there is to be a totally free and fair election. We also urge all election monitors, nearby and foreign, to give priority to monitor the protection of the frequent opposition candidate.” the AHRC mentioned.
Issuing a statement right now the AHRC stated “A cost-free and fair election is a right of the folks of Sri Lanka and this appropriate has been entrenched in the history of the country starting from 1931 when the adult franchise was introduced in Sri Lanka. For a extended period of time, there had been a tradition of free of charge and fair elections and peaceful handing more than of energy from one government to another. The disruption of this tradition sadly started with the introduction of the 1978 Constitution and in numerous degrees election violence has been skilled. The worst types of electoral violence had been skilled during the presidential election of 2010. Following the announcement of the elections to be held on 8th January 2015, there have been repeated attacks on opposition political rallies.
“The Asian Human Rights Commission has been alerted by several persons who are anxious about the security of the common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena due to the intensification of attacks on his political campaigns. Consequently, we are producing this contact for guaranteeing a free of charge and fair election by desisting from any kind of violence perpetrated ahead of, during and soon after the elections.
“Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), it is a proper of the individuals to pick a government of their choice. A choice of the folks could be made only when an atmosphere is designed, that is conducive to the workout of this proper of the people. Any violence meted out against any of the presidential candidates in the election is an attack on this freedom of decision of the folks itself. Such attacks consequently, are attacks against the nation itself.
“We hope that in the course of this solemn moment when the folks will workout their choice, that the Government of Sri Lanka and the Election Commissioner will do all within their energy to respect the men and women and produce the enabling atmosphere for the individuals to discharge their solemn duties by exercising their right to vote.”