We demand that the Sri Lankan government enact and implement laws and policies on international labour migration which ensure the adequate protection of all migrant workers

Demonstrators in Colombo protest against the execution of Rizana Nafeek. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

Civil society Statement on the execution of Rizana Nafeek
We, the undersigned, condemn in the strongest terms the beheading of Rizana Nafeek – the Sri Lankan domestic migrant worker convicted aged 17 in 2005, for the accidental death of an infant – in Saudi Arabia on the morning of 09 January 2013.
We are shocked at the decision of Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry, under Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, to expedite and carry out Nafeek’s execution despite repeated appeals by the Government of Sri Lanka, local civil society, the international human rights community, and members of her family.

Beheading of Rixana Nafeek: The Internatianl out cry

• UN Chief Slams Beheading Of Rizana
• HR High Commissiner expressed deep dismay on the execution of Rizana Nafeek
• EU dismayed at Rizana’s execution
• UK and France condemn killing of Rizana Nafeek in Saudi
• Norway ‘shocked’ by execution of Rizana Nafeek

Rizana Nafik, Shirani Bandaranayake and the Lankan Reality

“Why couldn’t you at least get my child’s body down?”
Rizana’s mother queries the government (BBC – 11.1.2013)
Rizana Nafik was beheaded at 11.40 am on 9th January 2013. Two hours later, at 1.40 pm, Minister Dilan Perera informed the Lankan parliament that “the government has done everything to save Rizana and she will be released soon” (Gossip Lanka).

SRI LANKA: Rizana Nafeek executed - President Mr. Rajapaksha bears full responsibility for this death

Rizanna's family in Sri Lanka

A Statement from the Asian Human Rights Commission

According to reports received, the Government of Saudi Arabia has executed Ms. Rizana Nafeek (1988 - 9 January 2013) today. The embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh has confirmed this report.

Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to categorically state, that the singular responsibility for this innocent young Sri Lankan woman's death is upon the President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksha. His office and the government led by him shamelessly neglected the life of this innocent Sri Lankan woman, who remained incarcerated aboard since May 2005. At the time when she was charged with the alleged crime, Rizana was only 17 years of age, and was soon sentenced to death by a Saudi court, in proceedings that the court held of which Rizana had no informed consent.