Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa accuses the government of weaponizing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to suppress political opponents, urging authorities to uphold democracy instead.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has strongly urged the government against using the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as a tool to suppress political opponents. He made these statements during a meeting with a delegation from the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya at his office this morning.
Premadasa emphasized that the ICCPR was specifically designed to safeguard citizen rights and ensure democratic governance within countries. He clarified that these protections are implemented through six fundamental activities outlined in the Rabat Plan of Action under the ICCPR framework. The opposition leader’s comments come amid growing concerns about the potential misuse of international human rights instruments for political purposes.
The meeting focused on maintaining democratic principles and ensuring that international conventions serve their intended purpose of protecting civil liberties rather than being manipulated for political suppression. Premadasa’s statement represents a significant intervention in the ongoing discourse about human rights protection and political freedom in the country.
