UN experts urge the Sri Lankan government to engage in constructive, open dialogue with the people.

Amid the country's severe economic crisis, UN human rights experts have urged the Sri Lankan government to guarantee the fundamental rights of peaceful assembly and expression during peaceful protests.

"We are deeply concerned by the recent declaration of a state of emergency, as well as the order prohibiting access to social media platforms," the experts said.

"These measures appear to be aimed at discouraging or preventing peaceful protests in the aftermath of the worsening economic crisis and lack of access to fuel, electricity, medicines, and basic food items."

"We condemn the excessive use of tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters, as well as the recent shutdown of social media platforms."

As a result of a lack of foreign exchange, Sri Lanka's population has been hit by rising inflation, fuel and essential goods shortages, and prolonged power outages. The economic crisis has exacerbated an already dire situation in terms of access to food and health care, making it difficult for millions of people living in poverty and those with serious medical conditions to gain access to medicines or hospitals.

In an initially spontaneous and peaceful demonstration on March 31, 2022, hundreds of people gathered in front of the president's residence, demanding his resignation for his handling of the crisis. To disperse the crowd, security forces used tear gas and water cannons, resulting in clashes. Nearly 50 people were injured, including several journalists, and more than 50 people were arrested.

Foreign debt, corruption, and the COVID-19 crisis have all had an impact on the country's economy. Experts urged the government to ensure the respect and protection of all human rights.

Since then, thousands of people have joined daily protests calling for political and economic reforms. From April 2 to 4, the government imposed nationwide curfews, arresting over 600 people who were found in violation of the curfew. The president declared a nationwide public state of emergency on April 2, 2022, which has since been revoked, empowering him to override most laws except the constitution, while the government blocked access to several social media platforms. Later, access to these platforms was restored.

"Peaceful protests and legitimate voices of dissent should not be met with unnecessary and excessive force by authorities," the experts said. "Resorting to using of force against protesters will only jeopardize peaceful avenues of expression, risking an escalation of tensions."

"We urge the Sri Lankan government to engage in an open and genuine dialogue with peaceful demonstrators about political reforms and ways to mitigate the impact of the economic crisis."

-OHCHR