Amnesty International concerned over notice to vacate GotaGoGama

Amnesty International has expressed concern over the Police notice to vacate the protest site ‘Gotagogama’.

In a Twitter threat, AI South Asia has urged authorities to "respect peoples' right to peaceful assembly in public spaces and refrain from intimidation or use of force to disperse peaceful protesters."

Expressing alarm over the 'grave and rapid escalation of the repression of anti-government voices through a series of arrests of protesters and protest organizers carried out by authorities,' AI further notes that 'Sri Lankan authorities must immediately release and drop charges against protesters detained solely for exercising their right to peaceful assembly, where restrictions on the right have not been necessary or proportionate.'

"If sufficient evidence of criminal wrongdoing persists, promptly charge with a recognizable offence that commensurate with the nature of the crime after assessment on a case by case basis, in accordance with international due process and fair trial standards," they say.

"Sri Lankan government must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and allow people to freely exercise their human rights. Any restrictions placed on these rights must be necessary, proportionate and provided by law," AI South Asia further notes.