Scribd
Upload
4 views1 page

USTPAC Condemns Violence Against Muslims

USTPAC condemned attacks on Muslims in Sri Lanka by Sinhala nationalist extremists that resulted in 4 deaths and injuries. They called on the international community to address impunity in Sri Lanka and ensure accountability and protection of ethnic and religious groups. The organization's president said the attacks are often complicit with the Sri Lankan government and perpetrators are never prosecuted. USTPAC urged meaningful action from the international community to ensure safety for Muslims and other groups in Sri Lanka.

Uploaded by

api-208594819
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
4 views1 page

USTPAC Condemns Violence Against Muslims

USTPAC condemned attacks on Muslims in Sri Lanka by Sinhala nationalist extremists that resulted in 4 deaths and injuries. They called on the international community to address impunity in Sri Lanka and ensure accountability and protection of ethnic and religious groups. The organization's president said the attacks are often complicit with the Sri Lankan government and perpetrators are never prosecuted. USTPAC urged meaningful action from the international community to ensure safety for Muslims and other groups in Sri Lanka.

Uploaded by

api-208594819
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

USTPAC condemns the violence against the Muslims in Sri Lanka

Stronger international oversight urged to ensure accountability and protection of


ethnic and religious groups
Washington, DC, June 18, 2014: The United States Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC) strongly
condemns the attack on the Muslims in the town of Aluthgama in Sri Lanka on Sunday and calls on
the international community to address the rampant impunity on the island.
News reports are emerging that Muslims were attacked by Sinhala nationalist extremists and their
properties were destroyed in Aluthgama and neighboring areas. Four people were killed and many
more injured. The attacks were allegedly prompted by a hate speech given by a prominent
Buddhist monk.
Muslims in Sri Lanka have come under increasing threat from hardcore Sinhala Buddhist groups.
The International current affairs magazine, The Diplomat aptly headlined last year, Sri Lankas
Muslims in the Cross Hairs: Turning their attention from Tamils, Sinhala-Buddhist nationalists are
now targeting the islands Muslim minority.
These attacks are often done with the complicity of the Sri Lankan government. The perpetrators
are never prosecuted, said USTPAC President Dr. Karunyan Arulanantham. Tamils have long been
the victims of this state violence and the pervading impunity, and we join hands with our Muslim
brethren to end the destructive prejudice that prevents all ethnicities and religions from living
peacefully and with mutual respect on the island, continued Dr. Arulanantham.
USTPAC issued a press release in 2012 condemning the attack on a mosque in Dambulla. Tamil
Americans are worried about the escalating scale of anti-Muslim violence that is now causing
deaths. Reports of mobs preventing humanitarian aid to the women and children made homeless in
this attack is equally reprehensible and cause for great concern.
Pointing to the pride of place given to the protection of Buddhism in the Sri Lankan constitution and
the State patronage that turns a blind eye to actions of Buddhist extremists, Dr. Arulanantham said,
Until this structural strangulation that fosters religious superiority and ethnic majoritarianism is
done away with and meaningful devolution and power-sharing is instituted, it is hard to break the
cycle of violence and convince Tamils and Muslims that they are safe.
USTPAC denounces the attack on Muslims in Sri Lanka in the strongest terms and calls on the
international community, including the United States of America, to take meaningful action to
ensure the safety of the Muslims and other ethnic and religious groups in Sri Lanka.
For more information: [Link]
Media contact: EliasJey 202-595-3123
Follow us @ustpacadvocacy

You might also like