
From Burning Houses to Burning Bodies: Anti-Muslim Harassment, Discrimination and Violence in Sri Lanka, traces the development of anti-Muslim sentiment in Sri Lanka since 2013 amid surging Sinhala-Buddhist nationalism. This discrimination has evolved from a rising series of mob attacks committed with impunity, into government policies explicitly discriminating against Muslims, including the forced cremation of Muslim Covid-19 victims and current proposals to ban both the niqab (face veil) and madrasas (religious schools).
“While anti-Muslim sentiment in Sri Lanka is nothing new, the situation has regressed sharply in recent years. Incidents of violence against Muslims, committed with the tacit approval of the authorities, have occurred with alarming frequency. This has been accompanied by the adoption by the current government of rhetoric and policies that have been openly hostile to Muslims,” said Kyle Ward, Amnesty International’s Deputy Secretary General.
Incidents of violence against Muslims, committed with the tacit approval of the authorities, have occurred with alarming frequency
Kyle Ward, Amnesty International’s Deputy Secretary General
“The Sri Lankan authorities must break this alarming trend and uphold their duty to protect Muslims from further attacks, hold perpetrators accountable and end the use of government policies to target, harass and discriminate against the Muslim community.”
Rising hostility towards Muslims
Incidents of violence towards Muslims have risen in frequency and intensity since 2013, with a series of flashpoints in which attackers and those responsible for hate speech have enjoyed impunity for their actions.
This escalating hostility began with the anti-halal campaign of that year, when Sinhala Buddhist nationalist groups successfully lobbied to end the halal certification of food, which demarks food permissible for consumption by Muslims, in accordance with Islamic scripture and customs. The campaign gave rise to a number of attacks on mosques and Muslim businesses, with the lack of accountability for those responsible acting as a signal to others that acts of violence against Muslims could be committed with impunity.
The following year, anti-Muslim riots in the southern coastal town of Aluthgama began after a Sinhala Buddhist nationalist group held a rally in the town. Here too, perpetrators of violence enjoyed impunity and authorities failed to deliver justice to victims.
Despite a new government in 2015, which promised justice and accountability for ethnic and religious minorities, attacks against Muslims continued to occur. Shortly after the election, anti-Muslim mob violence flared in the southern coastal town of Ginthota in 2017, while similar violence was seen in 2018 in Digana and Ampara, towns in the central and eastern provinces respectively. Not only did perpetrators escape accountability, victims and witnesses alleged the police and armed forces did not offer sufficient protection or act to prevent the violence.
Escalation since 2019 Easter Sunday attacks
Hostility towards Muslims increased markedly after more than 250 people were killed in coordinated suicide attacks committed by a local Islamist group and claimed by the Islamic State on Easter Sunday 2019.
Following these attacks, on 13 May 2019, Muslims in several towns in the North-Western Province of Sri Lanka came under attack during Ramadan, one of the holiest months in the Muslim calendar. Mosques across the country were also attacked and a spate of ‘hate speech’ posts and anti-Muslim vitriol was seen on social media. Emergency regulations rushed through by the authorities were also used to arbitrarily arrest hundreds of Muslims in the wake of the attacks.
Since taking office, the current government has continued to target and scapegoat the Muslim population to distract from political and economic issues.
This was evident in the mandatory cremation policy on the disposal of the bodies of Covid-19 victims, which was implemented despite cremation being expressly forbidden in Islam, and a lack of scientific evidence to substantiate the claims that burying victims would further the spread of the disease.
Government policies targeting Muslims
While the forced cremation policy has been reversed after the government succumbed to international pressure ahead of a vote on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council, the authorities are still seeking to implement discriminatory legislation, including a niqab ban and a ban on madrasas. If adopted, these restrictions would violate the freedom from discrimination based on religion guaranteed and safeguarded by Sri Lanka’s Constitution, and international human rights law which Sri Lanka is bound by.
From anti-terrorism laws and forced cremations to niqabs and madrasas, the Sri Lankan government has pursued a blatantly discriminatory policy agenda against Muslims
Kyle Ward
The authorities have used existing legislation to target Muslims, including the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), which permits suspects to be detained without charge for up to 90 days, and without being produced before a court. This is in addition to the misuse of the ICCPR Act, a law intended to prohibit the propagation of racial or religious hatred, amounting to incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.
The report documents several cases in which these laws have been abused to target individuals, including Hejaaz Hizbullah, a lawyer and activist who has been detained for more than 15 months, and Ahnaf Jazeem, a poet and teacher, who was arrested on 16 May 2020 following unsubstantiated claims about his Tamil language poetry.
“From anti-terrorism laws and forced cremations to niqabs and madrasas, the Sri Lankan government has pursued a blatantly discriminatory policy agenda against Muslims. We urge the authorities to reconsider the proposals currently under consideration, and for the international community to monitor and take measures to ensure the freedom and protection of minority communities in Sri Lanka,” said Kyle Ward.
order cialis 40mg sale – cost cialis 5mg purchase cialis for sale
plaquenil 200mg sale – brand hydroxychloroquine cost plaquenil 200mg
stromectol australia – ivermectin 6 mg without prescription ivermectin 6mg
purchase cephalexin – order cephalexin 125mg generic buy erythromycin online cheap
fildena 50mg ca – nolvadex 10mg oral purchase disulfiram sale
rhinocort over the counter – order cefuroxime 500mg online order ceftin 500mg online cheap
careprost us – order bimatoprost pill trazodone without prescription
order sildenafil 50mg pill – buy sildenafil 100mg pills ranitidine 300mg pill
tadalafil 5mg oral – buy cialis 20mg for sale ivermectin 1 cream
order cialis sale – ed solutions best pill for ed
casino online gambling – buy prednisone 40mg generic prednisone 20mg price
prednisone medication – accutane 40mg pill cheap isotretinoin
order generic amoxil – amoxicillin 250mg uk sildenafil 50mg sale
tadalafil 20mg without prescription – cialis 20mg canada tadalafil 10mg usa
ivermectin 0.1 – buy oral stromectol zithromax oral
zithromax 500mg without prescription – methylprednisolone 8mg over counter medrol pills canada
purchase baricitinib pill – baricitinib 2mg drug order priligy 90mg sale
glucophage 1000mg tablet – buy glucophage pills generic lipitor 20mg
order amlodipine 10mg online – buy generic lisinopril buy omeprazole 10mg pills
buy lopressor 50mg online – generic tenormin 100mg generic tadalafil 5mg
buy tadalafil for sale – sildenafil fast shipping generic viagra
purchase oral ivermectin – stromectol human where to buy ivermectin pills
I am so grateful for your article post.Thanks Again. Really Cool.
Thanks again for the article post.Thanks Again. Awesome.
This is one awesome article.Really looking forward to read more.
clomiphene 100mg ca – clomid 100mg canada cheap cetirizine 10mg
desloratadine buy online – cost aristocort 10mg buy aristocort sale
Thank you ever so for you post.Really thank you!
Enjoyed every bit of your blog post.Really thank you! Awesome.
generic misoprostol 200mcg – buy generic misoprostol cheap levothyroxine generic
Wow, great blog.Much thanks again. Awesome.
order sildenafil 50mg for sale – sildenafil mail order usa buy gabapentin 100mg pills
tadalafil 5mg us – buy cialis sale purchase cenforce sale
Thanks-a-mundo for the blog article.
diltiazem us – buy diltiazem order zovirax 400mg pills
purchase atarax – crestor 10mg ca crestor 10mg drug
ezetimibe 10mg cost – motilium medication celexa 40mg pill
buy sildenafil 50mg pill – buy flexeril 15mg pills cyclobenzaprine ca
Thanks again for the post.Really thank you! Want more.
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic article.Really thank you! Cool.
cheap sildenafil 50mg – buy cialis 10mg online cheap tadalafil 10mg price
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic article.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
Hey, thanks for the article.Really thank you! Want more.
Thanks-a-mundo for the blog post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Wow, great blog post. Fantastic.
buy ketorolac generic – baclofen 25mg for sale baclofen 10mg ca
I really like and appreciate your blog post.Much thanks again. Awesome.
buy colchicine sale – buy propranolol generic oral strattera 25mg
Really appreciate you sharing this article post.Really thank you!
Wow, great blog article. Cool.
viagra brand – order methotrexate 10mg order clopidogrel 75mg pills
FRESHCC.RU – CARDER STORE FOR QUALITY CCV-DUMPS-BANKS-PAYPAL-ACCOUNTS
I really like and appreciate your article.Thanks Again. Great.
Say, you got a nice post. Fantastic.
I really liked your blog. Cool.
Say, you got a nice post.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
Awesome article.Thanks Again. Cool.
I loved your blog post.Thanks Again. Will read on…
sildenafil professional – viagra pills 25mg sildenafil 100mg without prescription
I am so grateful for your blog article.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Very neat post. Will read on…
Great article post.Really thank you! Want more.
Wow, great blog article.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
order nexium pill – promethazine without prescription buy phenergan pill
A big thank you for your blog.Really thank you! Want more.
I need to say your site is really helpful I also love the theme, its amazing!
buy tadalafil tablets – canadian cialis buy tadalafil 20mg for sale
Thanks so much for the blog.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
Thanks-a-mundo for the article. Awesome.
I value the article post.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
provigil canada – brand modafinil 100mg best natural ed pills
order isotretinoin 10mg generic – buy isotretinoin 10mg for sale buy zithromax 500mg online
Great article.Really thank you!
Hey, thanks for the blog post.Much thanks again.
Muchos Gracias for your post.Much thanks again. Fantastic.
Hey, thanks for the blog article.Much thanks again.
I really liked your article.Thanks Again. Want more.
buy lasix 40mg for sale – viagra 100mg oral buy viagra 150mg without prescription
Very informative article post.Much thanks again. Much obliged.
I really enjoy the blog.Thanks Again. Fantastic.
Major thanks for the blog.Thanks Again. Fantastic.
A big thank you for your article.Really thank you! Really Cool.
wow, awesome article post. Much obliged.
order cialis 5mg pill – oral tadalafil 5mg cheap viagra sale
Muchos Gracias for your blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
Fantastic article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
Very neat blog post. Much obliged.
Thanks so much for the blog. Keep writing.
buy tadalafil pill – order coumadin online cheap order warfarin 5mg online
A round of applause for your blog.Thanks Again. Really Great.
This is one awesome article.Much thanks again. Cool.
I really liked your article.Much thanks again. Much obliged.
I value the blog post.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
buy topiramate 200mg pill – buy sumatriptan 25mg pill sumatriptan 50mg usa
A round of applause for your post.Really thank you! Awesome.
Thanks a lot for the article.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
wow, awesome post.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
Thanks a lot for the blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
I think this is a real great post.Really thank you! Fantastic.
avodart drug – tadalafil 40mg sale tadalafil 20mg for sale
I think this is a real great blog post.Much thanks again. Will read on…
I am so grateful for your blog article.Thanks Again. Really Cool.
cheap generic viagra – viagra 100mg pills tadalafil 5mg pills
Hey, thanks for the post.Really thank you! Awesome.
I really like and appreciate your blog article.Much thanks again.
Awesome blog post. Cool.
Really enjoyed this blog article.Thanks Again. Really Great.
I value the blog.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
buy ed medication – buy prednisone 40mg pills brand prednisone 20mg
I really enjoy the post.Really thank you! Want more.
Im thankful for the blog post. Keep writing.
Major thankies for the post.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
isotretinoin generic – isotretinoin 40mg us amoxil 500mg cheap
This is one awesome blog article.Much thanks again. Want more.
Very informative blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
buy generic lasix 100mg – cost zithromax 250mg azithromycin ca
Thanks again for the blog post.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
Major thanks for the blog post.
Appreciate you sharing, great article.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.
order doxycycline pill – chloroquine 250mg uk order generic chloroquine
Thanks for the article post. Awesome.
I value the blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
Major thanks for the article post.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
Major thanks for the article.Thanks Again. Great.
wow, awesome blog.Much thanks again. Really Great.
Say, you got a nice blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
Im thankful for the post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
I appreciate you sharing this blog article.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
Major thankies for the blog article.Much thanks again.
wow, awesome blog article.Much thanks again.
cialis 40mg us – Cialis pharmacy order viagra 100mg pills
I truly appreciate this blog.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.
I loved your blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
Thanks again for the blog.Really thank you! Want more.
provigil 200mg uk – order viagra 150mg pill viagra 25mg
I really liked your blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
where to buy ed pills online – prednisone 5mg pill deltasone 40mg ca
Appreciate you sharing, great blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
Major thanks for the article.Thanks Again. Will read on…
Appreciate you sharing, great article.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
order accutane 40mg online – celecoxib 200mg oral celecoxib drug
Very informative article.Much thanks again.
Thank you ever so for you blog.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
I appreciate you sharing this blog.Really thank you! Want more.
Major thankies for the blog post.Thanks Again. Fantastic.
buy flomax pills – zofran 8mg oral oral aldactone 25mg
Very good blog. Will read on…
zocor 20mg tablet – cost zocor help me write a research paper
I really liked your blog article.Really thank you! Will read on…
Im thankful for the article. Will read on…
casinos – paper writing websites essays writing
Looking forward to reading more. Great blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a friend who has been conducting a little research on this. And he actually ordered me dinner because I discovered it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to discuss this matter here on your web site.
casino slot games – propecia 1mg without prescription ampicillin ca
You’re so awesome! I do not believe I’ve truly read through anything like that before. So good to discover somebody with some original thoughts on this issue. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is something that is required on the internet, someone with a little originality.
An intriguing discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you need to publish more on this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but typically folks don’t talk about these topics. To the next! Kind regards!
order ciprofloxacin 1000mg generic – order cialis 5mg pills cialis pills 40mg
buy viagra generic – vardenafil 20 mg generic vardenafil cost
ed cures
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday. It’s always useful to read content from other authors and use a little something from other websites.
It is really a great and useful piece of information. I’m glad that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing
Good site you have got here.. It’s hard to find high quality writing like yours these days. I honestly appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
buy prescription drugs male enhancement pills buy ed drugs
Really enjoyed this post. Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
Major thanks for the blog.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.
I need to to thank you for this wonderful read!! I absolutely enjoyed every little bit of it. I’ve got you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
ed pills that really work cheap erectile dysfunction pills male ed pills
I really enjoy the article.Really thank you! Much obliged.
ivermectin 3 mg para que sirve ivermectin resistance stromectol cream
prednisolone tablet – buy prednisolone 20mg generic generic cialis 20mg
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic article. Awesome.
I really liked your post. Thanks Again. Fantastic.
Great, thanks for sharing this article post. Really Cool.
the best ed drug ed pills comparison ed medicine online
You’ve made some good points there. I checked on the internet for more information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site.
I truly appreciate this blog post.Much thanks again. Really Great.
I really liked your blog.Much thanks again. Will read on…
This web site certainly has all of the info I wanted about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
ivermectin 4000 guinea pig ivermectin buy ivermectin cream for humans
Really appreciate you sharing this blog.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.
Hi there! This blog post couldn’t be written much better! Going through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I am going to forward this information to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a very good read. Thank you for sharing!
ivermectin for dogs dosage ivermectin alternatives for humans how to make ivermectin
Awesome blog article. Keep writing.
Thank you for your article.Thanks Again. Awesome.
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post! It is the little changes which will make the most important changes. Many thanks for sharing!
mens erection pills ed meds online cvs prescription prices without insurance
order augmentin pills – tadalafil otc buy cialis 10mg without prescription
I value the post. Cool.
prednisone 30 mg generic prednisone 25 mg prednisone
I value the blog article.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
Im obliged for the blog post.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
Muchos Gracias for your blog.Really thank you! Really Great.
You need to be a part of a contest for one of the greatest sites on the internet. I most certainly will highly recommend this web site!
Thank you ever so for you blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.
I love it when individuals come together and share thoughts. Great site, keep it up.
buy ed pills online ed drugs compared ed drugs list
This is a topic which is near to my heart… Thank you! Exactly where are your contact details though?
Very informative article post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Thanks a lot for the blog article.Thanks Again. Will read on…
bactrim canada – sildenafil overnight shipping usa viagra fast shipping
worming rabbits with ivermectin ivermectin dosage cats ivermectin for pinworms
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you so much, However I am going through problems with your RSS. I don’t understand why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting identical RSS issues? Anybody who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx.
I cannot thank you enough for the blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Many thanks, However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anyone else having similar RSS problems? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!
You ought to be a part of a contest for one of the finest sites online. I am going to highly recommend this site!
Hello, I believe your site could be having web browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Apart from that, excellent website.
I think this is a real great post.Really thank you! Really Great.
Thanks again for the article.Really thank you!
non prescription erection pills pills for erection new ed pills
I really like and appreciate your blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this blog. I really hope to view the same high-grade content by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own website now 😉
After looking into a few of the blog articles on your site, I really appreciate your way of writing a blog. I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back in the near future. Please check out my web site too and tell me your opinion.
Very good article post.Thanks Again. Really Great.
tadalafil without a doctor’s prescription buy prescription drugs online without ed meds online without prescription or membership
I’m pretty pleased to discover this web site. I wanted to thank you for ones time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely appreciated every bit of it and I have you saved to fav to see new stuff on your site.
Really appreciate you sharing this post. Will read on…
cephalexin 500mg over the counter – cephalexin 500mg sale buy erythromycin 250mg for sale
Appreciate you sharing, great article.Really thank you! Great.
ed treatment drugs ed pill best ed drugs
male ed drugs how to cure ed medicine for erectile
Hello! I simply wish to offer you a big thumbs up for the excellent info you’ve got right here on this post. I am returning to your website for more soon.
ivermectin cost ivermectin dose for covid durvet ivermectin pour on
After I originally commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. There has to be an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Appreciate it.
Great weblog here! Additionally your web site a lot up very fast!
What host are you the use of? Can I am getting your associate hyperlink on your host?
I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
You’ve made some decent points there. I checked on the web to find out more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site.
cheap generic drugs from india india pharmacy buy prescription online from india
order sildenafil 50mg – order nolvadex 20mg without prescription ivermectin pills human
generic drugs india order online india pharmacies shipping to usa best online international pharmacies india
Hello there, I believe your blog may be having web browser compatibility problems. When I take a look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Other than that, excellent site!
What’s up to all, it’s truly a nice for me to pay a quick visit this site,
it consists of important Information.
india pharmacies online india pharmacy without dr prescriptions legitimate online pharmacies india
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into
starting my own blog and was wondering what all is needed to get set
up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100% certain. Any recommendations
or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
buy modafinil for sale
I enjoy, lead to I found just what I used to be looking for.
You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day.
Bye
order provigil online cheap modafinil 200mg uk
modafinil usa order modafinil 200mg online
budesonide uk – cost cialis 5mg buy disulfiram 250mg sale
canada rx drugs online buying from canadian online pharmacies canadian pharmaceuticals online safe
provigil 200mg drug provigil 200mg cost
This website was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something which helped me. Cheers!