Dear Sir,
Human Rights Trampled in Sri Lanka
The Muslim Citizens Council, (MCC) views with concern the issue of non-respect of Human Rights in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan Government has a policy in which COVID-19 cases, confirmed or suspected, are to be cremated immediately. It this respect, it has been reported that around 100 Muslim bodies have been cremated, including a 20-day old baby.
The consequences of the Sri Lankan Government’s actions have had a devastating impact on Sri Lankan Muslim families. This is contrary to the advice given by the World Health Organisation around safe and dignified burials and it does not have any regard to the protection of freedom of religion. This discriminatory policy is disproportionately affecting Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities, for whom cremation is prohibited.
This is a Human Rights issue that is impacting the minority communities within Sri Lanka. In view of the seriousness of this matter, the MCC makes an appeal to raise this issue at Government level and to leverage its significant influence as a member of the Commonwealth and the United Nations, to pressure Sri Lanka to end these highly distressing forced cremations and to reverse its cremation policy.
The MCC hopes that you will accede to our request.
Kind regards
The Secretariat
MCC
1st January 2021
NOTE : Les points de vue exprimés dans cette rubrique ne reflètent pas nécessairement ceux de la rédaction.
