Sri Lanka says dialogue continues to ensure interfaith harmony and understanding

SLstatement religiousbelief 12march2014


Sri Lanka intervening during the 25th Session of the Human Rights Council under Agenda Item 3: Clustered ID with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Special Rapporteur on Counter - Terrorism on 12th March 2014, said the recent sporadic attacks on religious targets are isolated incidents and there is an attempt to portray such sporadic incidents targeting places of worship as a sign of religious hatred and intolerance.
 
In a statement at this interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, the Sri Lankan delegation said that the Government does not condone such attacks on places of religious worship.


In all instances where police complaints have been lodged, the legal process has been set in motion, including producing suspects before magistrates, the statement said.

 

While noting that Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country, the statement said Sri Lanka Government is committed to protecting and ensuring the rights of all people in Sri Lanka to enjoy freedom of religion including the freedom to have or adopt a religion or belief of their choice.

 

The statement said that in keeping with Sri Lanka's social, cultural and historical norms, regular dialogue continues to take place at various levels to ensure interfaith harmony and understanding among its diverse populace.

 

Read the full statement


Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka

Geneva

12.03.2014

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