Politics

IMF urged to pressure Sri Lanka to revoke controversial NGO bill

Colombo, Mar 13 (EFE).- Human Rights Watch warned on Wednesday that Sri Lanka’s proposed new civil society law could subject NGOs to intrusive government scrutiny and interference and curtail freedoms.

The global rights group urged the International Monetary Fund to exert pressure on the island nation to withdraw the bill.

It said following the severe economic crisis in 2022, Sri Lankans are now faced with stringent laws and policies jeopardizing their basic freedoms.

“As the economy collapsed in 2022, Sri Lankans demanded good governance and an end to corruption, but instead now face draconian laws and policies that threaten human rights and undermine reforms,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, in a statement.

The rights group regretted that the proposed law could intimidate members of civil society with the threat of imprisonment if they fail to comply with “cumbersome” administrative procedures.

In a letter to the IMF, which approved a $3 billion loan in March 2023 to assist Sri Lanka in emerging from its economic crisis, HRW urged the lender to pressure the Sri Lankan government to abandon the bill.

“The draft law to regulate nongovernmental organizations could make independent civil society activity all but impossible in Sri Lanka,” warned HRW.

It cited an IMF report that recognized the significance of civil society in holding the government accountable and combating corruption.

HRW noted that the proposed law is part of a series of regulations criticized for their adverse impact on human rights in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan parliament is currently evaluating anti-terrorist legislation that, according to HRW, grants broad powers to security forces to detain critics. “Several recent and planned measures would curtail fundamental freedoms.” EFE

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