Dear
Friends,
Greetings from ACPP, Hongkong!
As some of you may already be aware, the Bishop
of Mannar in Northern Sri Lanka, together with 30
priests, has written to the UN Human Rights
Council urging them to call on the Government of
Sri Lanka to implement the positive
recommendations of the LLRC (Lessons Learnt and
Reconciliation Committee, the body of inquiry it
set up to look back at the Sri Lankan Civil War
and provide recommendations for moving forward to
an era of healing and peace building), among
other things. (See
Annex 1) The
Bishops and the priests have since been attacked
through intimidation and discredit by media and
government-friendly groups.
Concerned civil society groups in Sri Lanka and
abroad are rallying around Bishop Rayappu Joseph
and the priests for their “principled and
courageous position” in the light of
UN’s belated interest in the human rights
situation in Sri Lanka. As the UN is discussing a
US-led resolution on Sri Lanka this week, letters
of support for the bishop’s letter have been
solicited and directed sent to the UN HRC. (See
Annex 2) However,
the on-goings at the Human Rights Council in
Geneva is anyone’s guess, and already there
are those who are questioning the US resolution,
which even if passed, are predicted to be much
watered down. This means it would not have any
meaningful effect on the human rights situation
and national reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka.
Given this scenario, the pressure is thrown back
to those opposing the government of President
Mahinda Rajapaksa, and civil society actors like
Bp. Joseph and his priests. It is imperative
thus, that they be affirmed and supported in
their action, now more than ever.
To this end, ACPP and the Hotline Team appeal to
you to send your notes and messages of solidarity
to Bishop Rayappur Joseph and the 30 priests to
affirm their courageous act of writing to the UN,
to encourage them to be steadfast in their public
stand and prophetic witness, and to give them
support in the continuing and expected increased
backlash on their action.
You may address your messages of solidarity to:
E-mail: bpjoseph@sltnet.lk / jrayappu@yahoo.com
Fax No.: 0094-23-2232709
Please also see Annex 3, ACPP’s solidarity
message which you may also adapt in preparing
your own letters.
Thank you very much and hope that you will send
your letters as soon as possible to support these
men of God who have taken upon themselves to be
the voice of the voiceless in Sri Lanka.
May God bless all our efforts for Justice and
Peace,
Terence Osorio
Coordinator
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