Sri Lankan office of Asian Human Rights Commission. Registered organization in Sri Lanka under the Company Registration Act of Sri Lanka (GA2302).
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Religious Freedom | UCAN Spirituality
Religious Freedom | UCAN Spirituality
As John Paul II stated during his historic visit to Albania in 1993, “Religious freedom … is not only a precious gift from the Lord for those who have faith: it is a gift for each person, because it is the basic guarantee of every other expression of freedom…. Only faith reminds us that, if we have one Creator, we are therefore all brothers and sisters. Religious freedom is a safeguard against all forms of totalitarianism and contributes decisively to human fraternity”….
He immediately then added, “True religious freedom shuns the temptation to intolerance and sectarianism, and promotes attitudes of respect and constructive dialogue”. We cannot deny that intolerance towards those with different religious convictions is a particularly insidious enemy, one which today is being witnessed in various areas around the world. All believers must be particularly vigilant so that, in living out with conviction our religious and ethical code, we may always express the mystery we intend to honour…. Authentic religion is a source of peace and not of violence! No one must use the name of God to commit violence! To kill in the name of God is a grave sacrilege. To discriminate in the name of God is inhuman.
Seen in this light, religious freedom is not a right which can be guaranteed solely by existing legislation, although laws are necessary. Rather religious freedom is a shared space – like this one – an atmosphere of respect and cooperation that must be built with everyone’s participation, even those who have no religious convictions. Allow me to outline two attitudes which can be especially helpful in the advancement of this fundamental freedom.
The first attitude is that of regarding every man and woman, even those of different religious traditions, not as rivals, less still enemies, but rather as brothers and sisters. When a person is secure of his or her own beliefs, there is no need to impose or put pressure on others: there is a conviction that truth has its own power of attraction. Deep down, we are all pilgrims on this earth, and on this pilgrim journey, as we yearn for truth and eternity, we do not live autonomous and self-sufficient individual lives; the same applies to religious, cultural and national communities. We need each other, and are entrusted to each other’s care. Each religious tradition, from within, must be able to take account of others.
The second attitude which fosters the promotion of religious freedom is the work done in service of the common good. Whenever adherence to a specific religious tradition gives birth to service that shows conviction, generosity and concern for the whole of society without making distinctions, then there too exists an authentic and mature living out of religious freedom. This presents itself not only as a space in which to legitimately defend one’s autonomy, but also as a potential that enriches the human family as it advances. The more men and women are at the service of others, the greater their freedom!
Let us look around us: there are so many poor and needy people, so many societies that try to find a more inclusive way of social justice and path of economic development! How great is the need for the human heart to be firmly fixed on the deepest meaning of experiences in life and rooted in a rediscovery of hope! Men and women, inspired in these areas by the values of their respective religious traditions, can offer an important, and even unique, contribution.
From “Meeting with the Leaders of Other Religions and Other Christian Denominations” (2014)
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Thursday, July 24, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: One more restriction on NGOs; No funds ...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: One more restriction on NGOs; No funds ...: Sri Lanka: NGos protest restrictions No foreign funds without approval: Ministry The Finance and Planning Ministry has informed all N...
Monday, July 21, 2014
Sunday, July 20, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Aluthgama anti Muslim violence: Vital questions th...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Aluthgama anti Muslim violence: Vital questions th...: ''There are a number of vital questions, not limited to who organized the mobs; who provided them the weaponry, powerful flashli...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka Govt appoints international experts to i...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka Govt appoints international experts to i...: ''I am of the opinion that it is expendient that the said Commission of Inquiry should have the benefit of the advice of distinguish...
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Monday, July 14, 2014
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Thursday, July 10, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: MOD warning to NGOs: MOD has oversteppe...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: MOD warning to NGOs: MOD has oversteppe...: FMM public meeting It’s no-go for NGOs! by Dharisha Bastians Sri Lanka’s powerful Defence Ministry has sought to outlaw press confere...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: BBS leader 'Gnanasara Thera Insulted Quran' - Musl...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: BBS leader 'Gnanasara Thera Insulted Quran' - Musl...: Submitting an observation report to the Colombo Fort Magistrate, the Director General of Muslim Religious Affairs affirmed that the state...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Warning to NGOs: MOD says no warning only reminder...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Warning to NGOs: MOD says no warning only reminder...: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) today played down the instructions issued to Non-Governmental Organisations on the need to stick to their m...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Aluthgama anti-Muslim riots:The conduct of Police,...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Aluthgama anti-Muslim riots:The conduct of Police,...: A gun shot in Aluthgama Fact -Finding Mission Report by a Womens Collective to Areas in South Sri Lanka That Were Affected by Anti-Musl...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka bans NGOs engaging in public communicati...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka bans NGOs engaging in public communicati...: SLB The Government of Sri Lanka has banned Non Governmental Organisations holding press conferences, couducting work shops, issuing pre...
Saturday, July 5, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Whitewashing saffron fascism
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Whitewashing saffron fascism: BBS Rule over Police Dayan Jayatilleka What is the role of the regime and state in a multiethnic, multilingual, multi-religious, m...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Three letter from Sri Lanka Muslim Council to IGP,...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Three letter from Sri Lanka Muslim Council to IGP,...: ''The report presented by Ms. Manisha Gunasekera, Deputy Permanent Representative gives figures of casualties that are ridiculous t...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Three letter from Sri Lanka Muslim Council to IGP,...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Three letter from Sri Lanka Muslim Council to IGP,...: ''The report presented by Ms. Manisha Gunasekera, Deputy Permanent Representative gives figures of casualties that are ridiculous t...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: “Armed mobs attacked opposition M.P.'s vehicle wit...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: “Armed mobs attacked opposition M.P.'s vehicle wit...: ''Mobs armed with swords and sand bottles, and so forth were on road sides about a kilometre from the Aluthgama fair while polic...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Do not touch us; BBS throw down the gau...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Do not touch us; BBS throw down the gau...: Gnanasara "UNP, Foreign Diplomatic missions and Muslim extremists behind Aluthgama incident" The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) yes...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Govt. ‘blatantly misinformed’ UNHRC about Aluthgam...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Govt. ‘blatantly misinformed’ UNHRC about Aluthgam...: Manisha Gunasekera lied to UN ◾Council fires letter to External Affairs Minister ◾Alleges Govt. informed Council in Geneva that viole...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: New [ visa] regulations for foreign inv...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: New [ visa] regulations for foreign inv...: President Rajapaksa's Code is an eight-page memorandum [presented] by External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris. It calls for significan...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Laws to suppress social media planned B...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Laws to suppress social media planned B...: The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday accused the government of planning to bring in special legislation to suppress social m...
Friday, July 4, 2014
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Saturday, June 28, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lankan Muslims describe brutal communal violen...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lankan Muslims describe brutal communal violen...: World Socialist Web Site reporters this week visited the Sri Lanka coastal town of Aluthgama, 60 kilometres from Colombo, where Buddhist...
Thursday, June 26, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka:Law and order: gone to the dogs
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka:Law and order: gone to the dogs: Ceylon Today The Police Spokesman, SSP Ajith Rohana, was quoted by Ceylon Today on Monday as saying the police officers are afraid to man ...
Monday, June 23, 2014
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Communal Violence instigated by BBS in Aluthgama:...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Communal Violence instigated by BBS in Aluthgama:...: The blood of the victims COMMUNAL VIOLENCE CANNOT BE PERMITTED - NPC The mob attack on Muslim owned shops and homes in Aluthgama and B...
Saturday, June 14, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: The UNP calls on the government to cooperate with ...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: The UNP calls on the government to cooperate with ...: STATEMENT ISSUED BY UNITED NATIONAL PARTY The Rajapaksa regime is once again playing politics with the national question and toying wit...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: JVP calls for domestic independent inquiry into th...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: JVP calls for domestic independent inquiry into th...: (AFP photo) JVP proposes amendment . The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today submitted an amendment to the Government motion, whi...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: JVP calls for domestic independent inquiry into th...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: JVP calls for domestic independent inquiry into th...: (AFP photo) JVP proposes amendment . The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today submitted an amendment to the Government motion, whi...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Switzerland: Fast track asylum process given good ...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Switzerland: Fast track asylum process given good ...: Jo Fahy, swissinfo.ch and agencies A pilot project to slash the length of time taken to process asylum applications has received a posit...
Friday, June 13, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Clear lack of commitment to address gender equalit...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Clear lack of commitment to address gender equalit...: (photo: World Bank blog) Recent statements made by certain government ministers indicate a lack of importance in addressing issues of ...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: "Bloody journalists! Don't they have something bet...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: "Bloody journalists! Don't they have something bet...: Deputy Minister at the press conference Hemal Gunasekara Now Says He Can't Remember The "Forged" Number Plate Respond...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: "Bloody journalists! Don't they have something bet...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: "Bloody journalists! Don't they have something bet...: Deputy Minister at the press conference Hemal Gunasekara Now Says He Can't Remember The "Forged" Number Plate Respond...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: "Bloody journalists! Don't they have something bet...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: "Bloody journalists! Don't they have something bet...: Deputy Minister at the press conference Hemal Gunasekara Now Says He Can't Remember The "Forged" Number Plate Respond...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: SRI LANKA: Drunken police officers gun down 24-yea...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: SRI LANKA: Drunken police officers gun down 24-yea...: Subash Indika Jayasinghe A statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission On the night of June 11, officers attached to the Nittambuw...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: 'Amnesty cannot be granted for torture, disappeara...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: 'Amnesty cannot be granted for torture, disappeara...: Excerpts form an interview with Sandra Beidas, [Head, OHCHR investigation on Sri Lanka ] A Truth and Reconciliation process should pro...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka; UN says women in N-E feel unsafe
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka; UN says women in N-E feel unsafe: Women in North ( file photo) The United Nations (UN) says based on available research nearly 40% of women in former conflict zones in S...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka takes on UN SP Beyani’s report
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka takes on UN SP Beyani’s report: IDPs in Sri Lanka (UNHRC file photo( The Government has raised objections to some comments made by Dr. Chaloka Beyani, the Special Rapp...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Conclusions and recommendations of the Sri Lanka r...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Conclusions and recommendations of the Sri Lanka r...: IDPs in Sri Lanka ( file photo/UN) Summary The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Chaloka Beyani...
Thursday, June 12, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Can Prince Zeid be labelled a Tiger?
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Can Prince Zeid be labelled a Tiger?: Prince Zeid Al-Hussein Upul Joseph Fernanda President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Jordan on a special official tour early this year. He...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Can Prince Zeid be labelled a Tiger?
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Can Prince Zeid be labelled a Tiger?: Prince Zeid Al-Hussein Upul Joseph Fernanda President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Jordan on a special official tour early this year. He...
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Saturday, June 7, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Crime among Sri Lanka soldiers on rise; 18% report...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Crime among Sri Lanka soldiers on rise; 18% report...: [Photo: Dinouk Colombage/Al Jazeera] Experts say desertion and crime in armed forces has spiked five years after civil war end due to a...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Death threats to Ruhuna University lecturers
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Death threats to Ruhuna University lecturers: Thugs led by MP Jayasuriya University teachers question as to whether S.B. Dissanayake is the minister in charge of higher education, o...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka Panel Receives over 18,000 Complaints of...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka Panel Receives over 18,000 Complaints of...: A Sri Lankan panel probing the disappearance of people during the country's nearly three-decade long civil strife has received nearly...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Rajapaksa home town Tangalle has become the latest...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Rajapaksa home town Tangalle has become the latest...: Namal Rajapaksa : the killer company? UNP leadership council member Mangala Samaraweera says the ‘godfather, god son and god uncle’ a...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: My Office has now put in place a staff team for th...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: My Office has now put in place a staff team for th...: All set for the SL inquiry ''I note also that last month marked the fifth anniversary of the end of the war in SriLanka, whe...
Friday, June 6, 2014
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Repression of Dissent in Sri Lanka - INFORM repo...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Repression of Dissent in Sri Lanka - INFORM repo...: ''Government Ministers, MPs, politicians, supporters and groups backed by the government appeared to behind almost all the repo...
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Rajapaksa family run the state airline 'SriLankan'...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Rajapaksa family run the state airline 'SriLankan'...: The SriLankan Airlines incurs a loss of nearly Rs. 60 million a day, reports by the Central Bank point out. The airlines’ losses are incr...
Monday, June 2, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Govt. doesn't seriously apply itself to tackling N...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Govt. doesn't seriously apply itself to tackling N...: Five years after the end of the armed conflict in the North and East, legitimate political aspirations of the Tamil speaking people in Sr...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: UN drafts Sri Lanka probe team; will consists 13 m...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: UN drafts Sri Lanka probe team; will consists 13 m...: OHCHR office Palais Wilson Dharisha Bastians UN (OHCHR)The UN team probing major human rights abuses by both sides during the last se...
Sunday, June 1, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Shocker: Brazen attack on traffic policeman by pol...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Shocker: Brazen attack on traffic policeman by pol...: His vehicle on fire ( Lankadeepa) A traffic policeman assigned to the Southern Expressway was attacked by goons of a local politician b...
Saturday, May 31, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Dangerous justification of extra-judici...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Dangerous justification of extra-judici...: SSP Ajith : living in a fool's paradise Editorial - Ceylon Today Yesterday, our lead story, quoting Police Spokesman SSP Ajith R...
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Sunday, May 25, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: The recent policy initiatives are symptoms of a d...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: The recent policy initiatives are symptoms of a d...: ''The Minister of Women’s Affairs and Child Development, whose Ministry is expected to help to eliminate discrimination against ...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Brigadier who ordered shooting at Weliw...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Brigadier who ordered shooting at Weliw...: Weliweriya killings Brigadier Deshapriya Gunawardhana who commanded the Army battalion which murdered two school students and a youth ...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: A report to UNHRC 26: A significant number of peop...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: A report to UNHRC 26: A significant number of peop...: IDPs, Sri Lanka ''The Special Rapporteur reiterates the importance of establishing accountability mechanisms and strengtheni...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: R. Sampanthan to Narendra Modi: Rajapaksa is viola...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: R. Sampanthan to Narendra Modi: Rajapaksa is viola...: Excessively disproportionate, oppressive presence of the military (File photo) R. Sampanthan I write to you as the leader of the Tam...
Thursday, May 22, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka religious police : Lack of a clearly def...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka religious police : Lack of a clearly def...: Bishop Chikera ( left) A Reflection on religious freedom with justice by Bishop Duleep de Chickera Puzzling Decisions and worrying tr...
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: On Anniversary, a Victory Parade and a Crackdown i...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: On Anniversary, a Victory Parade and a Crackdown i...: Tamil gathering on 18th May, Jaffna NYT- Sri Lanka’s government on Sunday marked the fifth anniversary of its victory over Tamil insu...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: 5 years on: The White Flags Incident 2009 — 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: 5 years on: The White Flags Incident 2009 — 2014: Isaipriya in military custody( later killed) International Truth & Justice Project, Sri Lanka Yasmin Sooka New evidence on t...
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Tamils say barred from commemorating war dead, Sri...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Tamils say barred from commemorating war dead, Sri...: Rajapaksa at the parade (Reuters) (Reuters) - Minority ethnic Tamils said on Sunday they had been banned from commemorating the death...
Monday, May 19, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: President pressed to hold referendum t...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: President pressed to hold referendum t...: Several advisers to the President have requested the President hold a referendum immediately, government internal sources say. Sources ...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Colombo ‘failing to engage’ with Tamil minority; A...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Colombo ‘failing to engage’ with Tamil minority; A...: Rajiva: I can't help Five years after the end of Sri Lanka’s decades-long civil war, there are few signs of a government-led reconc...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka war anniversary reopens trauma
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka war anniversary reopens trauma: SL military in rememberence Mullivaikkal - Sri Lanka's government plans military parades this weekend to celebrate five years since...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka police break up Tamil war rememberance e...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka police break up Tamil war rememberance e...: "victory parade"! Sri Lanka's police have broken up a remembrance service for ethnic Tamils killed in the separatist war,...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka police break up Tamil war rememberance e...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka police break up Tamil war rememberance e...: "victory parade"! Sri Lanka's police have broken up a remembrance service for ethnic Tamils killed in the separatist war,...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka 5 years after war's end : Memorials, blo...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka 5 years after war's end : Memorials, blo...: No right to remember Security measures have been stepped up in the Northern and Eastern Provinces after some groups vowed to defy a ban...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: A fractured Sri Lankan identity five years on
SRI LANKA BRIEF: A fractured Sri Lankan identity five years on: Kishali Pinto Jayawardena This week, the five year anniversary on the 2009 victory of Sri Lankan troops over the Liberation Tigers of ...
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Minster Weerawansa takes Govt to task; says Secret...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Minster Weerawansa takes Govt to task; says Secret...: Dr. P.B. Jayasundera Dr. PB belongs in jail – Wimal Reiterating that Secretary to the Treasury, Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, is an economic ...
Monday, May 12, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Attorney General orders suspects who ra...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Attorney General orders suspects who ra...: Sarath Palitha Fernando the attorney general (AG) who has been appointed by the brutal lawless Mademulana beasts not to dispense justice ...
Thursday, May 8, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Minister for Women’s Affairs wants to marry rape v...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Minister for Women’s Affairs wants to marry rape v...: Jpehs.co.uk Joint Statement: Calling for the Resignation of Minister of Child Development and Women’s Affairs Tissa Karaliyadde It is...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: South African initiative, an opportunity for govt....
SRI LANKA BRIEF: South African initiative, an opportunity for govt....: Jehan Perera The government’s inability or unwillingness to provide the international community with the quantum of evidence required t...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: The survival of our civil life is in danger;the da...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: The survival of our civil life is in danger;the da...: Upul Jasuriya Key Note Address of the World Press Freedom Day Event organised by SLPI and FMM Upul Jasuriya, President Bar Associ...
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: New appointment against SC ruling: Ex-C...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: New appointment against SC ruling: Ex-C...: former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva Commenting on the controversy over the new appointment to the Supreme Court, former Chief Justice...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: The Organisation of Professional Associations of S...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: The Organisation of Professional Associations of S...: The Organisation of Professional Associations (OPA) fully endorses the views expressed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) over th...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Brutal killings on the rise in bloody m...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Brutal killings on the rise in bloody m...: Ex DIG says police to blame, University expert says culture of impunity main cause Twenty killings have been reported in April alone, m...
Friday, May 2, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: US Bureau of Counterterrorism report 2014: Sri Lan...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: US Bureau of Counterterrorism report 2014: Sri Lan...: Overview: The Sri Lankan government defeated the terrorist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009. Concerns remain that widel...
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Repression of Dissent in Sri Lanka - January - M...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Repression of Dissent in Sri Lanka - January - M...: A key focus of the human rights discourse in Sri Lanka during this period was the UN Human Rights Council sessions in March 2014, whe...
Sunday, April 27, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: New laws against NGOs should not be a w...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: New laws against NGOs should not be a w...: Editorial - Ceylon Today The government is mooting new laws to monitor funds received by local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). A...
Friday, April 25, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: How world media reported: UK tourist recounts 'hel...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: How world media reported: UK tourist recounts 'hel...: AFP A British tourist displays a tattoo of the Buddha on her upper arm, after she was arrested at Sri Lanka's main international air...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: BBS challenges govt. to arrest Mannar B...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: BBS challenges govt. to arrest Mannar B...: Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) yesterday challenged the government to take legal action against...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: The Years of Blood
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: The Years of Blood: The following article with images, was originally published by a blogger who blogs at thecarthaginiansolution.wordpress.com , in last...
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Vasu wants BBS banned; says, 'It consists of terro...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Vasu wants BBS banned; says, 'It consists of terro...: BBS: terrorists in disguise Minister of National Languages and Social Integration, Vasudeva Nanayakara, is of the opinion that the Bodu...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Vasu wants BBS banned; says, 'It consists of terro...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Vasu wants BBS banned; says, 'It consists of terro...: BBS: terrorists in disguise Minister of National Languages and Social Integration, Vasudeva Nanayakara, is of the opinion that the Bodu...
Monday, April 21, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Continuing Detention of Tamil Women and...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Continuing Detention of Tamil Women and...: Jayakumari Balendran and her daughter In 2009 the government announced that the LTTE has been wiped out from the country with the ...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Banning Tamil Diaspora will be disastrous;targeti...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Banning Tamil Diaspora will be disastrous;targeti...: We Fell Into The American Trap – Professor Rajiva Wijesinghe Reputed for his outspoken nature Professor Rajiva Wijesinghe feels that...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in Sri Lanka: Wh...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in Sri Lanka: Wh...: Chandrapala Kumarage, Attorney-at-Law The PTA law is being applied arbitrarily, and even offences that could be dealt with under the no...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: 60 Tamils detained for subversive acts ...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: 60 Tamils detained for subversive acts ...: Tamils protest over detentions Police said today that 60 people including 10 women had been arrested and detained by the Terrorist Inve...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: 60 Tamils detained for subversive acts ...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: 60 Tamils detained for subversive acts ...: Tamils protest over detentions Police said today that 60 people including 10 women had been arrested and detained by the Terrorist Inve...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Attack on Parliamentarians lends creden...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Attack on Parliamentarians lends creden...: H,tota Mayor chasing MPs This only lends credence to allegations at last month's UN Human Rights Council sessions that violation o...
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: ‘Is this a govt. of laws or a govt. of men?’
SRI LANKA BRIEF: ‘Is this a govt. of laws or a govt. of men?’: Jayantha Danapala speaking at the seminar Namini Wijedasa Lawyers, academics and activists hit out at the growing militarisation...
Friday, April 4, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Groups warn of backlash as U.N. calls for probe in...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Groups warn of backlash as U.N. calls for probe in...: Sri Lanka media activist interviewed (CNN) -- Rights groups are warning of a backlash against activists in Sri Lanka following a landma...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka govt Should support UN war crimes probe ...
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SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Displaced in north long for home
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka: Displaced in north long for home: Konapalam camp in Sri Lanka houses 240 displaced families in cramped conditions Charles Haviland BBC News, Jaffna d...
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
AmendedbResolution.
Draft resolution HRC 25 14 March 2014
(underlined reflects changes from this year’s previous draft )
25/1. Promoting reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in Sri Lanka
The Human Rights Council,
1. Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
2. Guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant instruments,
3. Bearing in mind General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006,
4. Recalling Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1, on institution-building of the Council, and 5/2, on the code of conduct for special procedures mandate holders, of 18 June 2007,
5. Recalling also Human Rights Council resolutions 19/2 of 22 March 2012 and 22/1 of 21 March 2013 on promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka,
6. Reaffirming that it is the responsibility of each State to ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of its entire population,
7. Reaffirming also that States must ensure that any measure taken to combat terrorism complies with their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, as applicable,
8. Recognizing the Human Rights Council’s support of Reaffirming that all Sri Lankans to are entitled to the full enjoyment of their human rights regardless of creed, faith religion, belief, or ethnicity, in a peaceful and unified land,
9. Welcoming and acknowledging the progress made by the Government of Sri Lanka in rebuilding infrastructure, demining, and resettling the majority of internally displaced persons, but noting nonetheless that considerable work lies ahead in the areas of justice, reconciliation, land use and ownership demilitarization, and the resumption of livelihoods, and stressing the importance of the full participation of local populations, including representatives of civil society and minorities, in these efforts,
Welcoming the announcement made by the Government of Sri Lanka that elections to the Provincial Council in the Northern Province will be held in September 2013,
10. Welcoming the successful Provincial Council elections held on September 21, 2013 and in particular the high turn-out and participation in all three provinces, but noting with concern reports of election-related violence, as well as voter and candidate intimidation,
11. Expressing appreciation for the efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka in facilitating the visit of a technical mission from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and providing her with open access, and encouraging the Government to increase its dialogue and cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner, and welcoming the visit of the High Commissioner to Sri Lanka in August 2013,
12. Expressing deep concern over reported intimidation and retaliation against civil society members who engage with UN human rights mechanisms including those who met with the High Commissioner during her visit,
13. Expressing serious concern at the continuing reports of violations of human rights in Sri Lanka, including sexual and gender-based violence, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture and violations of the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, threats to judicial independence and the rule of law, as well as intimidation of and reprisals against human rights defenders, members of civil society, lawyers and journalists,
14. Alarmed at the significant surge in attacks rapid rise in violence and discrimination on the basis of religion or belief, particularly against members of religious minority groups in Sri Lanka, including Hindus, Muslims and Christians,
15. Calling upon the Government of Sri Lanka to fulfil its public commitments, including on the devolution of political authority which is integral to reconciliation and the full enjoyment of human rights by all members of its population,
16. Taking note of the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission of Sri Lanka, its findings and recommendations, and acknowledging its possible contribution to the process of meaningful national reconciliation in Sri Lanka,
17. Recalling the constructive recommendations contained in the Commission’s report, including the need to credibly investigate widespread allegations of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, demilitarize the north of Sri Lanka, implement impartial land dispute resolution mechanisms, re-evaluate detention policies, strengthen formerly independent civil institutions, reach a political settlement on the devolution of power to the provinces, promote and protect the right of freedom of expression for all persons and enact rule of law reforms,
18. Taking note also of the national plan of action to implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission of the Government of Sri Lanka and its commitments as set forth in response to the findings and recommendations of the Commission,
19. Noting Reiterating Noting that the national plan of action does not adequately address all of the findings and constructive recommendations of the Commission, and encouraging the Government of Sri Lanka to broaden the scope of the plan to adequately address all elements of the Commission report,
20. Noting Also reiterating Noting with concern that the national plan of action and the Commission’s report do not adequately address serious allegations of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law,
21. Emphasizing Emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to transitional justice incorporating the full range of judicial and non-judicial measures, including, among others, individual prosecutions, reparations, truth-seeking, institutional reform, vetting of public employees and officials, or an appropriately conceived combination thereof, in order to, inter alia, ensure accountability, serve justice, provide remedies to victims, promote healing and reconciliation, establish independent oversight of the security system and restore confidence in the institutions of the State and promote the rule of law in accordance with international human rights law, with a view to preventing recurrence of violations and abuses
22. Underlining underlines that truth-seeking processes, such as truth and reconciliation commissions, that investigate patterns of past human rights violations and their causes and consequences are important tools that can complement judicial processes and that, when established, such mechanisms have to be designed within a specific societal context and to be founded on broad national consultations with the inclusion of victims and civil society, including non-governmental organizations,
23. Recalling Reaffirms the responsibility of States to comply with their relevant obligations to prosecute those responsible for gross violations of human rights and serious violations of international humanitarian law constituting crimes under international law, with a view to end impunity;
24. Recalling the High Commissioner’s conclusion that national mechanisms have consistently failed to establish the truth and achieve justice, and her recommendation that the Human Rights Council establish an international inquiry mechanism to further investigate the Noting the call made by the High Commissioner for an independent and credible international investigation into alleged violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law and monitor any domestic accountability processes,
25. Encouraging the Government to increase its dialogue and cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner, including with regard to technical assistance,
1. Welcomes the oral update of 25 September 2013 and the report of 24 February 2014 of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on advise and technical assistance for the Government of Sri Lanka on promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka and the recommendations and conclusions contained therein, in particular including on the establishment of a truth-seeking mechanism and national reparations policy as an integral part of a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to transitional justice;
2. Calls upon Encourages the Government of Sri Lanka: to implement the recommendations made in the reports of the Office of the High Commissioner, and also calls upon the Government to conduct an independent and credible investigation into allegations of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, as applicable; to hold accountable those responsible for such violations; to end continuing incidents of human rights violations and abuses in Sri Lanka; and to implement the recommendations made in the reports of the Office of the High Commissioner;
3. Reiterates its call upon the Government of Sri Lanka to implement effectively the constructive recommendations made in the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, and to take all necessary additional steps to fulfil its relevant legal obligations and commitment to initiate credible and independent actions to ensure justice, equity, accountability and reconciliation for all Sri Lankans;
4. Urges the Government of Sri Lanka to investigate all alleged attacks, by individuals and groups, on temples, mosques, and churches and to take steps to prevent future attacks; and calls on the Government of Sri Lanka to investigate and hold accountable perpetrators of attacks on places of worship, journalists, human rights defenders, members of religious minority groups, and other members of civil society, as well as on temples, mosques and churches, and further urges the Government of Sri Lanka to hold perpetrators to account and take steps to prevent such attacks in the future;
5. Calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to release publically the results of its investigations into alleged violations by security forces, including the attack on unarmed protesters in Weliweriya on August 1, 2013, and the Army Court of Inquiry report of 2013;
6. Encourages Calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to provide ensure that the Northern Provincial Council and its Chief Minister with the resources and authority necessary to govern, as required by is able to operate effectively, in line with the 13th Amendment of Sri Lanka’s constitution;
7. Welcomes the decision of the Government of Sri Lanka to facilitate the visit by the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons in December 2013, and to issue an invitation to the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants; and calls upon the Government to facilitate the effective implementation of durable solutions for IDPs, including the long-term displaced
7 bis. Further welcomes the invitation to the Special Rapporteurs on the Human Rights of Migrants and the Right to Education;
7 ter. Encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to cooperate with other special procedures mandate holders and to respond formally to their outstanding requests, including long standing requests;
8. Welcomes Takes note of the High Commissioner’s recommendations and conclusions regarding ongoing human rights violations and on the need for an independent and credible international inquiry mechanism in the absence of a credible national process with tangible results, and requests the Office of the High Commissioner:
a) to continue to monitor the human rights situation in Sri Lanka and assess progress toward accountability and reconciliation, on relevant national processes;
b)to lead a comprehensive investigation into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka and establish the facts and circumstances of such violations and of the crimes committed with a view to avoiding impunity and ensuring accountability, with input assistance from relevant experts special procedures mandate holders as appropriate,;
c) to present an oral update to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-seventh fourth session, and a comprehensive report followed by a discussion on the implementation of the present resolution at its twenty-eighth fifth session.
9. Encourages the Office of the High Commissioner and relevant special procedures mandate holders to provide, in consultation with and with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka, in consultation with and with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka, advice and technical assistance on implementing the above-mentioned steps;
10. Calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to cooperate with the Office of the High Commissioner concerning the implementation of this resolution.
Posted by Sri Lanka Brief at Saturday, March 15, 2014
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Friday, March 28, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
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SRI LANKA BRIEF: Arrest of HRDs in Sri Lanka:Repeal the Prevention ...
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Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Fr. Praveen and Ruki released without charges
20 Mar 2014 Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) Fr. Praveen and Ruki released without charges ZoomBookmarkSharePrintListenThey also suspected us of submitting reports to international agencies that had harmful impacts on Sri Lanka
Colleague of Fernando, lawyer and Rights Now Executive Director, Sudarshana Gunawardana who appeared for the two activists, speaking to Daily Mirror yesterday said, "Ruki and Fr. Praveen were presented before the JMO and thereafter before the Magistrate last night at about 11.30 pm. The TID officials stated that investigations had been concluded and Ruki and Fr. Praveen were being released without any charges."
Meanwhile, Fr. Praveen speaking to Daily Mirror yesterday on his arrest said he would continue to work towards building peace and reconciliation despite safety concerns.
"The TID officials repeatedly questioned Ruki and myself separately concerning our purpose of visit to the North and of our activities. They were particularly concerned of us visiting Jeyakumari who was arrested last week and it seemed that we had been followed for several days because they had a lot of photographic evidence. They suspected us of having connections with the LTTE and of attempts to help the LTTE reorganize. They also suspected us of submitting reports to international agencies that had harmful impacts on Sri Lanka. However, following interrogations they realised we were not guilty," Fr. Praveen said.
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SRI LANKA BRIEF: Hours before two SL HRDs released in Colombo, SL ...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Hours before two SL HRDs released in Colombo, SL ...: SL AMB Ravinatha Ariyasinha ''The detention on 16th March of Mr. Ruki Fernando and Father Praveen under the PTA were in connec...
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lankan Human Rights Defenders Freed Without Ch...
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Tuesday, March 18, 2014
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Monday, March 17, 2014
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Thursday, March 13, 2014
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Tuesday, March 11, 2014
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Monday, March 10, 2014
Sunday, March 9, 2014
SRI LANKA BRIEF: Sri Lanka Mannar mass grave: 81 skeltons found
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Saturday, March 8, 2014
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Thursday, March 6, 2014
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
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Tuesday, March 4, 2014
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Monday, March 3, 2014
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Wednesday, February 19, 2014
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Sunday, February 16, 2014
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Tuesday, February 11, 2014
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Facebook celebrates its tenth birthday
Feb 04, 2014 Kavinthan Shanmugarajah Local, News Ticker, Science 0
Facebook celebrates its tenth birthday
The most popular networking social networking site Facebook, which has more than 1.2 billion monthly active users worldwide, is celebrating its tenth birthday.The company was launched by Mark Zuckerberg on February 4, 2004, from Harvard University dorm room.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said on this occasion: “It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it. It’s been amazing to see how people have used Facebook to build a real community and help each other in so many ways. In the next decade, we have the opportunity and responsibility to connect everyone and to keep serving the community as best we can.”
On February 4, Facebook will be launching “A Look Back” product, an experience that enables people on Facebook to see a personalised movie or collection of photos with their biggest moments since they joined Facebook. This is a small gesture to thank the over one billion people who are on Facebook by providing a unique way to look back at some of their biggest moments.
Despite Facebook’s popularity throughout the world, it is getting challenge to retain its original base of young users after arrival of new innovative social networks such as Pinterest, Twitter and SnapChat coming to the fore. Its another challenge is from the soaring popularity of smartphone apps that let people share images, videos, thoughts or observations at any moment.
But whatever the analysts and critics may say about the Facebook, people around the world have become addicted to it and it has become part and parcel of their life. As they say, the old habits die hard, Facebook will remain on the forefront for long.
Facebook, Facebook 10 years old, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook turns 10, Harvard University, Harvard University dorm room, Social network
5th February 2014 Last updated at 16:36 Share this pageEmail Print Share this page
ShareFacebookTwitter.Vatican 'must immediately remove' child abusers - UNAdvertisement
Kirsten Sandberg from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) said a "code of silence" had been imposed on children
Continue reading the main story
Related Stories
Q&A: Vatican child abuse scandal
UN confronts Vatican on child abuse
Pope Benedict doubled defrockings
The UN has said that the Vatican should "immediately remove" all clergy who are known or suspected child abusers.
The UN watchdog for children's rights denounced the Holy See for adopting policies which allowed priests to sexually abuse thousands of children.
In a report, it also criticised Vatican attitudes towards homosexuality, contraception and abortion.
The Vatican responded by saying it would examine the report - but also accused its authors of interference.
A group representing the victims of abuse by priests in the US welcomed the report.
In its findings, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) said the Holy See should open its files on members of the clergy who had "concealed their crimes" so that they could be held accountable by the authorities.
Continue reading the main story
Analysis
image of David Willey
David Willey
BBC News, Rome
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Vatican quickly moved into damage control mode after publication of the UN report.
While promising "thorough study" of the criticisms, the Holy See robustly rejects some of the points made by the UN.
The Vatican has always given precedence to Church law, called Canon Law, over local criminal law in dealing with ecclesiastical crime. It does not easily tolerate interference by civil authorities in ecclesiastical matters.
The recent case of a senior Vatican diplomat, a Polish archbishop, who was suddenly recalled to Rome from his post in Santo Domingo after serious police accusations of sexual abuse of minors there is a case in point.
The Vatican has refused an extradition request by justice authorities in Poland and says an internal police investigation is under way inside Vatican City.
It said it was gravely concerned that the Holy See had not acknowledged the extent of the crimes committed, and expressed its "deepest concern about child sexual abuse committed by members of the Catholic churches who operate under the authority of the Holy See, with clerics having been involved in the sexual abuse of tens of thousands of children worldwide".
It also lambasted the "practice of offenders' mobility", referring to the transfer of child abusers from parish to parish within countries, and sometimes abroad.
The committee said this practice placed "children in many countries at high risk of sexual abuse, as dozens of child sexual offenders are reported to be still in contact with children".
The UN report called on a Vatican commission created by Pope Francis in December to investigate all cases of child sexual abuse "as well as the conduct of the Catholic hierarchy in dealing with them".
Ireland's Magdalene laundries scandal was singled out by the report as an example of how the Vatican had failed to provide justice despite "slavery-like" conditions, including degrading treatment, violence and sexual abuse.
The laundries were Catholic-run workhouses where some 10,000 women and girls were required to do unpaid manual labour between 1922 and 1996.
The report's findings come after Vatican officials were questioned in public last month in Geneva about why they would not release data and what they were doing to prevent future abuse.
The Vatican has denied any official cover-up. However, in December it refused a UN request for data on abuse on the grounds that it only released such information if requested to do so by another country as part of legal proceedings.
Demonstrator outside UN human rights agency in Geneva - 16 January Many campaigners feel the Vatican should open its files on priests known to be child abusers
In January, the Vatican confirmed that almost 400 priests had been defrocked in a two-year period by the former Pope Benedict XVI over claims of child abuse.
The UN committee's recommendations are non-binding and there is no enforcement mechanism.
'Non-negotiable'
The BBC's David Willey in Rome says the Vatican has set up new guidelines to protect children from predatory priests.
Continue reading the main story
Catholic Church abuse scandals
Germany - A priest, named only as Andreas L, admitted in 2012 to 280 counts of sexual abuse involving three boys over a decade
United States - Revelations about abuses in the 1990s by two Boston priests, Paul Shanley and John Geoghan, caused public outrage
Belgium - The bishop of Bruges, Roger Vangheluwe, resigned in April 2010 after admitting that he had sexually abused a boy for years
Italy - The Catholic Church in Italy admitted in 2010 that about 100 cases of paedophile priests had been reported over 10 years
Ireland - A report in 2009 found that sexual and psychological abuse was "endemic" in Catholic-run industrial schools and orphanages for most of the 20th century
Q&A: Child abuse scandal
But, he adds, bishops in many parts of the world have tended to concentrate on protecting and defending the reputation of priests rather than listening to the complaints of victims of paedophile priests.
Meanwhile several Catholic dioceses in the US have been forced into bankruptcy after paying out huge sums in compensation to victims of abuse by clergy.
The Vatican said in a statement following the report's publication: "The Holy See takes note of the concluding observations...which will be submitted to a thorough study and examination... according to international law and practice."
But it added that it "regrets to see in some points of the concluding observations an attempt to interfere with Catholic Church teaching on the dignity of human person and in the exercise of religious freedom" and "reiterates its commitment to defending and protecting the rights of the child... according to the moral and religious values offered by Catholic doctrine".
Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, head of the Holy See's delegation to the United Nations in Geneva, told Vatican Radio the report had failed to take into account the fact that the Vatican had made "a series of changes for the protection of children", and its efforts at reform were "fact, evidence, which cannot be distorted".
He added that the UN could not ask the Church to change its "non-negotiable" moral teachings.
Victims groups welcomed the report as a wake-up call to secular law enforcement officials to investigate and prosecute Church officials who were still protecting "predator priests".
Barbara Blaine, president of a group representing US victims of abuse by priests - Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (Snap) - told the BBC that the UN report "reaffirms everything we've been saying. It shows that the Vatican has put the reputation of Church officials above protection of children".
"Church officials knew about it and they refused to stop it. Nothing has changed. Despite all the rhetoric from Pope Francis and Vatican officials, they refuse to take action that will make this stop."
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Monday, February 3, 2014
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Old article forwarded by Reuters .(first published in 2009)
Sri Lanka hospital shelled, at least 9 dead: ICRC
By Ranga Sirilal
COLOMBO Mon Feb 2, 2009 9:33am EST
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Sri Lankan Army soldiers stand guard during a rehearsal for the Independence Day celebration in Colombo February 2, 2009. Sri Lanka will celebrate its 61st Independence Day on February 4. REUTERS/Buddhika Weerasinghe
Sri Lankan Army soldiers stand guard during a rehearsal for the Independence Day celebration in Colombo February 2, 2009. Sri Lanka will celebrate its 61st Independence Day on February 4.
Credit: Reuters/Buddhika Weerasinghe
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(Reuters) - Artillery shells struck a hospital in Sri Lanka's northern war zone, killing at least nine people and wounding another 20, the Red Cross said on Monday.
The Sri Lankan military denied it had shelled the hospital in a Tamil Tiger-held part of Mullaittivu district and blamed the rebels. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam made no comment, but a pro-rebel website accused the military of the firing.
"At least nine people were killed and at least 20 injured from the continued shelling," said Sarasi Wijerathne, a spokeswoman of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Colombo.
She said the ICRC had urged both sides to allow safe passage for scores of sick and wounded people trapped in the conflict zone.
Sri Lanka's army has surrounded the LTTE in a 300 sq km (115 sq mile) slice of jungle in the Indian Ocean island's northeast, aiming to end a war that began in 1983 and is one of Asia's longest-running conflicts.
The military, which has vowed to hunt down LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, said it had found a luxury house in the Vishvamadhu area which may have been used by the reclusive leader and his family.
Concern has grown for the safety of 250,000 people aid agencies say are trapped inside the battle zone, although the government describes those numbers as overblown.
On Monday, the government urged civilians to enter a "safety zone" it had demarcated.
"The government cannot be responsible for the safety and security of civilians still living among the LTTE terrorists," Lakshman Hulugalle, director general of the government's media center, said in a statement.
The military has said it would move in to free those trapped by the fighting after a government-declared, 48-hour truce lapsed. The military said 224 people had fled government controlled area on Sunday.
"We're shocked that the hospital was hit, and this for the second time in recent weeks," Paul Castella, head of the Colombo ICRC delegation, said in a statement.
A United Nations official said there would have been many casualties because the hospital was crowded when the shelling occurred.
"There were shells (striking) before midnight, It seems to have struck the paediatric ward (of Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital), We don't know how many killed or wounded but we know there were many casualties," U.N. spokesman Gordon Weiss said.
The military says the Tigers are firing artillery from populated areas inside an army-declared no-fire zone with the hope of creating a crisis to build pressure for a truce.
The Tigers in turn accuse the military of firing into the no-fire zone. The military says it has a policy of zero civilian casualties.
CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS
It is nearly impossible to verify accounts from the war zone, off-limits for journalists except on carefully guided tours by the military.
"We don't fire shells on that area. There is no requirement for us to fire into there ... it must be LTTE shells as they are desperately firing," said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara about the attack on the hospital
But a pro-rebel www.tamilnet.com website said the shells had been fired by the Sri Lankan military.
"Sri Lanka Army shelled Puthukkudiyiruppu (PTK) hospital Sunday night killing six civilians, including patients and their family members in the ward. More than 15 civilians were injured," the website said.
On Monday, Sri Lankan fighter jets carried out more raids, bombing rebel positions in support of the advancing ground troops in the north.
(Additional reporting by Shihar Aneez; Editing by Paul Tait)
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