Return to War - Human Rights Watch

abducted a Sri Lankan worker at an IDP camp, apparently because the person was
Muslim. He was subsequently released. 213
In December 2006 the Karuna group started a drive against the “No Weapons”
stickers used by most NGOs outside their offices and on vehicles. Two international
aid groups told Human Rights Watch that the Karuna group had complained to them
about the “pacifist” stickers, which they considered an “insult to their movement.” 214
In Colombo, Sri Lankan human rights activists have also been receiving death
threats on the telephone from unknown callers. Three activists told Human Rights
Watch that they had received such calls over the past year, and they knew of others
who had received them too, but none of them reported the call to the police or
wished their names to be published in this report due to security concerns. One
activist who received a death threat told Human Rights Watch,
There is no point in trying to get these death threats investigated. We
know whoever is making these calls enjoys a degree of protection from
law-enforcing authorities in the country. 215
Parliamentary Committee on NGOs
In March 2005 parliament established a Select Committee of Parliament for the
Investigation of the Operations of Non-governmental Organizations and their Impact.
The committee was initially created to investigate tsunami funding and the role of
foreign NGOs. The justification for the committee, as set out in the terms of reference,
was the allegation that some NGOs were engaged in activities that are “inimical to
the sovereignty and integrity of Sri Lanka” and “detrimental to the national and
social well being of the country,” as well as adversely affecting “national security.” 216
213 Human Rights Watch interview with international aid worker, Batticaloa, February 28, 2007.
214 Human Rights Watch interviews with international aid worker, Batticaloa, February, 2007.
215 Human Rights Watch interview with human rights activist, Colombo, March 2007.
216 International Commission of Jurists, “Sri Lanka - Open letter on the Select Committee of Parliament for the Investigation of
the Operations of Non-governmental Organizations and their Impact,” September 5, 2006.
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Human Rights Watch August 2007