The Office of UN Human Rights Council,
Civil Society Section,
Geneva.
Switzerland
Letter to the UNHRC in Support of North and East Christian Clergy Sri Lanka
Dear Sir / Madam,
We the undersigned individuals and groups vehemently support and endorse the views and demands, contained in the letter sent on 18th Feb. 2013 by 133 Christian Clergy in North and East Sri Lanka, to the President and members of the UN Human Rights Council.
It is our view that lives of thousands of innocent people in the last stages of the war were lost not due to any lack of information but due to a lack of political will to act to save the lives of people.
The priority of the international community at all times should be to assist in protecting the lives of people rather than the state. Often the priorities seem to get mixed up.
We appreciate their commitment and courage to speak on behalf of the people in the North and East they serve and live with, and their broader concern and solidarity towards human rights issues related to Sri Lankans of all ethnic and religious groups.
We also call on the Sri Lankan government, military and police, public servants, state owned and state controlled media, not to intimidate, threaten and discredit those exercising their legitimate right to be peacefully engaged with UN mechanisms.
Successive Sri Lankan governments, including the present government have agreed to be part of and even campaigned, to gain the membership of these UN mechanisms.
It is also the bounden duty of the government to protect the human rights defenders from any harm that may be caused by others. The government should be held responsible to ensure the protection of all Sri Lankan citizens, including those who criticize and disagree with the government.
May we the undersigned also request the UNHRC to take decisive and strong action to safeguard the rights of the Sri Lankan citizens and also to assist the government to create a mechanism in the country by which the government can be accountable to the citizens.
1. Fr. Terrence Fernando
2. Fr. Ashok Stephen omi
3. Bishop Kumara Ilangasinghe
4. Fr. Sherard Jayawardne.
5. Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda.
6. Fr. Dilan Perera omi
7. Fr. Reid Fernando.
8. Fr. Oswald Firth omi
9. Sr. Deepa Fernando.
10. Sr. Helen Fernando.
11. Sr. Rasika Peiris.
12. Miss Melani Manel Perera.
13. Miss. Kumudini Kalubovila.
14. Mrs. Krishanthi Fernando.
15. Fr. Sathivel
16. Mr. Ralston Veiman,
17. Sr. Angela Fernando.
18. Sr. Noel Christine Fernando.
19. Sr. Cyrilline, RGS
20. Sr. Sahayamary, RGS
21. Sr. Emaline, RGS
22. Sr. Marie Angela Cooray, RGS
23. Sr. Nicoline, RGS
24. Miss. Berryl Perera.
25. Miss. Scholastica Silva.
26. Mrs Marie Princy Fernando.
27. Mr. Vincent Bulathsinhala
28. Mr. Roy Rodrigo.
29. Mr. Nimal Perera.
30. Mr. Mahinda Namal
31. Mr. Jude Preman Fernando.
32. Mr. Hadley perera.
33. Sr. Anne Perera
34. Fr. Bernard Rehart
35. Fr. Anton Jayanando
36. Sr. Shanthi Latha.
37. Sr. Victorine Rodrigo
38. Sr. Maryanne Mendis.
39. Sr. Sahaya Mary
40. Mr. Ruki Fernando
41. Rev. Kusum Siri
42. Rev. Nishantha Guneratne
43. Mr. Kingley Karunaratna.
44. Rev Bro. Al Villanueva, ofm
45. Mr. Ainsley Joseph.
46. Fr.Lasantha Abrew sj
47. Mr.Hermen Kumara
48. Sr.Deepthika Silva SCJM
49. Sr.Dammika Fernando HF
50. Sr.Jesmin fernando HF
51. Sr. Josita Corera, RGS
52. Sr. Anita John , RGS
53. Sr. John Storey, RGS
54. Sr. Leela Fernando, RGS
55. Sr. Jacintha Maria Silva, RGS
56. Sr. Hilarina Fernando, RGS
57. Sr. Madonna, RGS
58. Sr. Shamindanie, RGS
59. Sr. Francine Muthugala, RGS
60. Sr.. Winifreda Perera, RGS
61. Sr. Milburga Fernando
62. Ms. Bridget Caldera
63. Mr. Neil Priyantha Fernando
64. Sr. Niluka Fernando
65. Sr. Maria Kirudha
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