Anti-Conversion Law Debated As Violence against Christians Continues

CSW (07/20/06) – A new report from Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) details continued violent attacks against Christians in Sri Lanka at the same time as the proposed anti-conversion bill remains on the agenda in the Sri Lankan Parliament.

The report follows from a recent CSW fact-finding visit to Sri Lanka and details testimonies of death threats against pastors, including the alleged existence of a hit list in one district.

During the visit, the delegation met with Sri Lankan church leaders and interviewed victims of persecution. The team also discussed the situation with former Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando, now a senior advisor to the Sri Lankan President, and met British and European Union (EU) diplomats.

According to information received by CSW during the visit, in the first five months of this year alone there have been a total of 30 reported incidents of violence against Christians and an increasing number of threats made. In a meeting of about 50 pastors, approximately half told CSW they had suffered physical persecution, including arson, assault and the destruction of homes and church buildings.

One pastor told CSW that posters had been displayed in his village, threatening him with death. One poster gave him three days to leave the village or be killed. “Get your coffins ready because we’re going to kill you,” another poster read.

The violence against Christians coincides with debates on the latest draft of an anti-conversion bill. Despite various drafts of this legislation being rejected over the past two years, the latest version has already passed its second reading in Parliament. It is currently being considered by a Standing Committee before returning for a final vote.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief, Asma Jahangir, who visited Sri Lanka last year, has already expressed her view that the “very principle” of such a bill “could engender widespread persecution of certain religious minorities.”

CSW’s Advocacy Director, Alexa Papadouris, says: “We are deeply concerned that the climate of religious conflict and tension continues in Sri Lanka . We urge the Sri Lankan authorities to react swiftly to bring an end to violence and intimidation against Christians, and we urge the Sri Lankan Parliament not to pass the proposed legislation. We would encourage all political and religious groups in Sri Lanka to work together to develop inter-faith harmony and dialogue.”

Notes:

In August 2004 the Supreme Court ruled that two clauses of an anti-conversion bill proposed by the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party of Buddhist monks were unconstitutional. The legislation currently being considered omits these two clauses.

Observers have questioned the impartiality of the Chairman of the Standing Committee examining the current legislation, Wijedasa Rajapakse, a lawyer who represented the JHU in the Supreme Court hearing.

While international observers claim that the President, Mahinda Rajapakse, has given assurances that he does not support this legislation, it is unclear how his party, the Sri Lankan Freedom Party will vote in Parliament. The bill is expected to receive the support of the JHU and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), while the Opposition United National Party (UNP) has declared a free vote for its members.

United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief, Asma Jahangir commented that such legislation would “lead to violations of the essential and fundamental part of the right to freedom of religion and belief” and has warned the Sri Lankan Government that it would be taking “a very serious risk with respect to its obligations under the relevant international conventions” if the bill is passed.