Dear All
This press release has been issued by the Lawyers Collective today and Sinhala and Tamil releases will be issued in due course. For your information, circulation and publication.
Lawyers Collective
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26 February 2013
Lawyer’s Collective Wants Harassment of Lawyers Immediately Stopped!
Lawyers’ Collective has been following the incidents of harassment and threats on lawyers, who actively challenged the unconstitutional impeachment of the 43rd Chief Justice of Sri Lanka. As previously disclosed several lawyers, senior and junior, have come under threats. Series of incidents of surveillance on the lawyers were also reported in Colombo as well as outside.
Mr. Lakshan Dias a well known human rights lawyer and activist who was a leading figure in the anti- impeachment activities has come under strict surveillance making his life vulnerable for physical attacks. He had also been followed by a white van, which incident has been reported to the Moratuwa Police on 25th February 2013, under reference CIB-1- 232/442.
We remind the Government of its constitutional duty to protect and respect the citizen’s right to dissent and to engage in critical governance activities. The lawyer’s struggle was a discharge of their constitutional duty to protect independence of judiciary, which they will continue to do, despite threats.
The Lawyers’ Collective therefore urges the Government to investigate into these incidents and ensure that the Lawyers, who have stood up against the illegal impeachment of the highest judicial officer of the Country, will not be subjected to any further intimidation.
Lawyers Collective
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