Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards

A National Secretariat functioning under Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence and Urban Development has issued a curious letter on 1 July 2014. The following is the letter in full:

“MINISTRY OF DEFENCE AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT National Secretariat for Non Governmental Organizations

To All Non Governmental Organizations

Non Governmental Organizations acting beyond their mandate

It has been revealed that certain Non Governmental Organizations conduct press conferences, workshops, training for journalists, and dissemination of press releases which is beyond their mandate.

We reiterate that all Non Governmental Organizations should prevent from such unauthorized activities with immediate effect.

D.M.S. Dissanayake
Director/Registrar”

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), which made the letter public, adds the understandably sarcastic comment that the next letter may well read:  “It has been revealed that certain Non-Governmental Organisations have members who are breathing and still moving. We hereby call upon all of them to cease from such unauthorized activities with immediate effect.”

For the full context see this Statement online on AHRC’s revamped website: www.humanrights.asia.

This entry was posted on July 8, 2014 at 11:55 and is filed under AHRC, Human Rights Defenders.

Tags: censorship, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, harassment, Human Rights Defenders, human rights violations, intimidation, Ministry of defence, Sri Lanka