(IPI/IFEX) – IPI is deeply concerned about the latest setbacks to press freedom in Sri Lanka and is strongly condemning the reintroduction, on 4 July 2000, of censorship measures aimed at local and foreign media. According to IPI’s sources, the new regulations will make it possible for the government to censor war-related news and other […]
(IPI/IFEX) – IPI is deeply concerned about the latest setbacks to press freedom in Sri Lanka and is strongly condemning the reintroduction, on 4 July 2000, of censorship measures aimed at local and foreign media.
According to IPI’s sources, the new regulations will make it possible for the government to censor war-related news and other reports considered to be “against national security”. The government also confirmed the re-appointment of Ariya Rubasinghe as the competent authority, or chief censor. These measures have been introduced in spite of the fact that on 30 June, the Supreme Court issued a ruling declaring previous censorship regulations, imposed after fighting between government forces and Tamil rebels escalated, illegal. In addition, the court held that Rubasinghe had no authority to act as a censor under the emergency laws used to appoint him. The court also overturned the government’s decision to close down two newspapers, “The Sunday Leader” and “Irida Peramuna”.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– expressing the opinion that censorship regulations are an outright violation of everyone’s right to “seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”, as guaranteed by Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
– urging Her Excellency to ensure that laws and practices which restrict these rights are repealed
– urging Her Excellency to do everything in her power to ensure that all journalists are allowed to objectively report on developments in her country
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:H.E. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
President
Presidential Secretarial
Secretarial Building
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Fax: +94 1 333 707
E-mail: for_min@sri.lanka.net (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
