User:Rehman41

A new year's wish list published in a daily newspaper

Immediate appointment of the members of the Constitutional Council, enabling the National Police Commission, the Election Commission and other Constitutional Commissions to function; create an effective witness protection programme and a fund for the victims; stop torture and extrajudicial killings; take effective action to end delays in the administration of justice; thoroughly improve the prosecution system; ensure disciplinary control in the policing system; initiate prompt, independent and effective investigations into all crimes, including those allegedly committed by state officers and guarantee freedom of expression and association and protection to all journalists and human rights activists. As we reach the end of the year it is sad to note that none of these wishes have been fulfilled. In fact the human rights situation in the country has taken a turn for the worse. The trend of human rights in Sri Lanka as discussed below have developed over many years and the state has not shown any determination to take steps to improve the situation. The absence of will on the part of the state to deal with the extremely grave situation of human rights violations is the major obstacle to the protection and promotion of human rights. The attempts by the international community acting through UN agencies and others have not produced any positive changes. If some decisive steps are not taken by the Sri Lankan government, 2007 may bring in even more dismal news about gross human rights violations in the country.

The wish for 2007 has to be that of an awakening on the part of the state to the catastrophic human rights situation in the country and cooperation by the state with the UN and other agencies to take some bold decisions to put their house in order. A failure to take steps in that direction may mean the country's rapid degeneration towards an even greater catastrophe.