Human Rights Salutation - 2017

Celebrating the International Human Rights Day 2017, the Human Rights Office in Kandy organized the Human Rights Salutation held at the Good Shepherd Convent Kandy on the 10th December 2017 with the theme “Let’s stand up for Equality, Justice and Human Dignity” with the participation of more than 500 people including religious leaders, victims, human rights defenders, award winners and well-wishers.

03 prominent Human Rights Activists and the winners of school and Religious Schools Art and Essay competitions were awarded during the programme.  Rt. Rev. Dr. Winston Fernando SSS the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Sri Lanka and Bishop of Badulla was the chief guest while Ven. Dr. Atipola Mangala Thero delivered the key note address. In the absence of Hon. Eran Wickramaratne, the state minister of Finance, his secretary Asiri Thushara Uralagamage was present to deliver the message of the minister.

Fr. Nandana Manatunga the director of the Human Rights Office introducing the event and said that this year’s, Human Rights Day will commence a year-long campaign to mark the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Further he said it's important to recognize and appreciate the courage of survivors as well as Human Rights defenders and activists to create a culture of human rights and hence the HRO encourage school children, victims and activists to defend protect and promote the rights of all the citizens.

Ms. Ermiza Tegal, was awarded for her dedicated and untiring work as a Human Rights Lawyer seeking Justice and Redress for the victims of Torture, victims of the defective Justice System and for her commitment in campaigning for the Rights of the minorities and protecting the Rights of the children.
 
Rev. Sr. Nichola Emmanuel was awarded for upholding Christian values, for her commitment and dedicated services for the families of the disappeared and the families of the prisoners defending, protecting the Rights of the poor and the marginalized in the society.

The Torture survivor Chamila Bandara was awarded for their courage in voicing against Torture and other cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment and punishment, and seeking justice to punish the perpetrator police officers and the TID, during the most repressive regime, risking their lives and their families, breaking the silence of the suffering survivors of Torture.

The winners of Art & Essay competitions who will be the future in creating a culture of Human Rights in our country were award.  2183 Applications were sent to Schools & Religious Schools in Sinhala & Tamil Medium covering the entire Central Province.  1390 students from 187 schools in Central Province participated in Art & Essay competitions, while 976 children from 177 multi Religious Schools (Sunday Schools) participated in the 2017 Art & Essay competitions.  The Art & Essay competitions initiated a discussion on the most crucial human rights issues among the students, teachers, and parents, religious and within a larger section of the civil society. 

The winners of Art & Essay competitions who will be the future in creating a culture of Human Rights in our country were award.  2183 Applications were sent to Schools & Religious Schools in Sinhala & Tamil Medium covering the entire Central Province.  1390 students from 187 schools in Central Province participated in Art & Essay competitions, while 976 children from 177 multi Religious Schools (Sunday Schools) participated in the 2017 Art & Essay competitions.  The Art & Essay competitions initiated a discussion on the most crucial human rights issues among the students, teachers, and parents, religious and within a larger section of the civil society. 

The chief guest, Bishop Winston addressing gathering said that it is unfortunate to learn that Sri Lanka is listed fourth most corrupted countries in the world, and this is an absolute disheartening news. He further said that Human Rights have found its way in to each country's governing system and the UDHR has as a place in their respective constitutions and that has to be admired.  “As we are preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ, let me remind you that Christ was born for everyone and he stood for equality & Justice”.

The State Minister Eran Wickramaratne in his message, conveyed how honored he was by the invitation extended for the Human Rights Salutation. He sent his deepest regrets for being unable to attend as he was unexpectedly requested by the His Excellency the President to head the Sri Lankan delegation to the “One Planet Summit” in Paris.

“On the 05th of December 2017, Sri Lanka acceded to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and it will enter into force in Sri Lanka on the 04th January 2018. Signing of the Optional Protocol under the Convention demonstrates our determination to combat Torture and our commitment to co-operate with international mechanisms. The Protocol will allow for the regular inspection of the places of detention and to take necessary action to improve the welfare of the people detained on Judicial Orders. There is much more work to be done and we cannot afford to falter, but I am hopeful about the future” the message of Minister Eran Wickramaratne stated.

The parents of the disappeared, families of the prisoners, Torture and rape survivors, who participated in various workshops during the year 2017 were also presented with souvenir’s to encourage and appreciate their commitment and consistency in their efforts to reactivate the dysfunctional Justice system that constantly failed them in the past.

The programme also included a report of the activities of HRO of 2017 and cultural items while a special attention was drawn to the slain Human Rights activists and the deceased victims and activist and they were remembered with gratitude.