Work
10.March 2006 - 00:00
The case of Mr. Pararajasingham
What action has the Commission taken regarding the assassination of a prominent Tamil, Joseph Pararajasingham, Member of Parliament for the Tamil National Alliance Party, who was shot dead while attending a night Christmas Eve Service at St. Ann’s Catholic Cathedral in Batticaloa?
Will the Commission encourage and aid the Sri Lankan authorities to investigate the killing of Mr Pararajasingham and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice?
E-0308/06EN
E-0309/06EN
Answer given by Mrs Ferrero-Waldner
on behalf of the Commission
(10.3.2006)
In reply to the Honourable Member's questions, the Commission shares the concerns about religious freedom in Sri Lanka that have been expressed by several Honourable Members.
Concerning the assassination of Mr. Pararajasingham, despite the Government’s announcement that it had initiated investigations, no arrests have yet been made. The EC and others have condemned the killing.
Concerning the incident in Kurunegala district on 25 December 2005, where members of the King’s Revival Church were attacked, the EC Delegation closely observed this matter and evaluated the risk of it spreading, but it remained an isolated incident.
As to the general framework for religious freedom in Sri Lanka, the Commission’s latest understanding is that there has been no progress on earlier legislative proposals. The “Prohibition of Forcible Conversions of Religions Bill” tabled by the JHU (Jathika Hela Urumaya) was declared unconstitutional by the Sri Lankan Supreme Court on 23 August 2004. The Government-drafted “Act of safeguarding religious freedom” is still officially under preparation, with no deadline for its finalisation and possible submission to Parliament.
President Rajapakse made a reference to religious freedom in his swearing-in speech that read as follows: “During my reign of office adherents of all religions could freely hold their religious beliefs and conduct their religious affairs freely in temples, churches, mosques and kovils. There will be no state interference in religion. The state has enough work.”
The Commission will continue to follow closely this particular issue of religious freedom and protection of religious minorities with the Sri Lankan authorities, in order to ensure respect of obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the various other human rights instruments to which Sri Lanka is a party.
What action has the Commission taken regarding the assassination of a prominent Tamil, Joseph Pararajasingham, Member of Parliament for the Tamil National Alliance Party, who was shot dead while attending a night Christmas Eve Service at St. Ann’s Catholic Cathedral in Batticaloa?
Will the Commission encourage and aid the Sri Lankan authorities to investigate the killing of Mr Pararajasingham and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice?
E-0308/06EN
E-0309/06EN
Answer given by Mrs Ferrero-Waldner
on behalf of the Commission
(10.3.2006)
In reply to the Honourable Member's questions, the Commission shares the concerns about religious freedom in Sri Lanka that have been expressed by several Honourable Members.
Concerning the assassination of Mr. Pararajasingham, despite the Government’s announcement that it had initiated investigations, no arrests have yet been made. The EC and others have condemned the killing.
Concerning the incident in Kurunegala district on 25 December 2005, where members of the King’s Revival Church were attacked, the EC Delegation closely observed this matter and evaluated the risk of it spreading, but it remained an isolated incident.
As to the general framework for religious freedom in Sri Lanka, the Commission’s latest understanding is that there has been no progress on earlier legislative proposals. The “Prohibition of Forcible Conversions of Religions Bill” tabled by the JHU (Jathika Hela Urumaya) was declared unconstitutional by the Sri Lankan Supreme Court on 23 August 2004. The Government-drafted “Act of safeguarding religious freedom” is still officially under preparation, with no deadline for its finalisation and possible submission to Parliament.
President Rajapakse made a reference to religious freedom in his swearing-in speech that read as follows: “During my reign of office adherents of all religions could freely hold their religious beliefs and conduct their religious affairs freely in temples, churches, mosques and kovils. There will be no state interference in religion. The state has enough work.”
The Commission will continue to follow closely this particular issue of religious freedom and protection of religious minorities with the Sri Lankan authorities, in order to ensure respect of obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the various other human rights instruments to which Sri Lanka is a party.