As CHOGM Opens, IFJ Seeks Accountability for Free Speech Violations - IFJ

Media Release: Sri Lanka  /   15 November 2013                                                                          

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) calls on the heads of government and delegations of the Commonwealth countries, who today begin their bi-annual summit meeting in the Sri Lankan national capital of Colombo, to lay appropriate stress on the need for the restoration of democratic liberties and media freedom in the host country, after a quarter century or more when these have been under severe stress.

Sri Lanka CHOGM 2013: Ensure the safety of foreign journalists and withdraw the restrictions

The Free Media Movement (FMM) expresses its concern that on 11^th November a protest was organised at the at the entrance of the Katunayaka Air Port against the Channel 4 journalist Callum Macrae who was visiting Sri Lanka to cover the CHOGM 2013.  

FMM Report: Violations of the Freedom of Expression Rights in Sri Lanka (Aug – Nov 2013)

Free Media Movement, Sri Lanka / 11.11.2013/ Press release

FMM Report: Violations of the Freedom of Expression Rights in Sri Lanka (Aug – Nov 2013)

The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) will be hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM) this week. Freedom of Express ( FoE) is one of the major values treasured by the Commonwealth.  Freedom of expression rights are the cornerstone of the democratic governance and essential tool in promoting and defending all human rights.

Sri Lanka media activists fear crackdown after arrests

Mr Sunil Jayasekera, spokesman for the Sri Lankan Free Media Movement (FMM), talks to journalists in Colombo on Monday, Nov 4, 2013. A media rights group on Monday expressed fears for the safety of journalists in Sri Lanka after Colombo grilled two Australian activists and seized computer data before kicking them out. -- PHOTO: AFP

A media rights group Monday expressed fears for the safety of journalists in Sri Lanka after Colombo grilled two Australian activists and seized computer data before kicking them out.
The Free Media Movement (FMM) said it expected a crackdown by the authorities following last week's questioning of the two International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) staffers in Colombo.

Sri Lanka detains, then releases two visiting journalists

Jacquiline Park

 Bob Dietz/CPJ Asia Program Coordinator

With two weeks to go until the start of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka, the government's anti-media policies remain a pressing topic. There are two links below to statements by media support groups today relating to the government's wrongful and heavy handed response to a media workshop held in Colombo this week.

IFJ Condemns the Detention of Asia-Pacific Directors

The International Federation of Journalists condemns the detention of Asia-Pacific Director Jacqui Park and Asia-Pacific Deputy Director Jane Worthington in Sri Lanka. The two have recently been allowed to leave after being detained without charge since Wednesday October 30.

Aussie reporter's data 'erased' in Colombo

J.Park at her laptop ( Kathmandu Juky 2013)

Sri Lankan authorities wiped all the data from the computer of an Australian media rights activist as she and a colleague were kicked out of the country, a local rights group says.

Jacqui Park and fellow Australian Jean Worthington were packed onto a plane that flew out of Colombo airport a day after authorities ordered their expulsion for "anti-government" activities.

Sri Lanka: RSF calls on UNHRC to ensure the safety of FMM and IFJ personal

To the attention of : Ajith Sunghay
Human Rights Officer , Asia-Pacific
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Dear Mr Sunghay,
A raid on a workshop co-organized by the Free Media Movement (FMM) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) was conducted on Wednesday and have lead to the arrest of FMM and IFJ members, among them Jacqueline Park, by officers from the Emigration and Immigration Department.  Members of the  Sinhalese Buddhist nationalist organisation Bodu Bala Sena, also present, have threatened the owners of the venue, the Hotel Renuka, where the workshop is conducted, not to allow FMM and IFJ to conduct the workshop on Thursday. They have threatened the owners to be present at the venue in the morning to force the cancellation of the workshop.