The UN has urged Sri Lanka to lift restrictions imposed on non-governmental organisations, including women’s organisations.
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) issued its findings on Belarus, Belize, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo*, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Nepal, and Sri Lanka after reviewing these eight States parties during its latest session.
On Sri Lanka, the Committee was concerned about the high prevalence of sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence, with at least one in five women experiencing physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner, and the disproportionately low prosecution and conviction rates.
It also noted with concern that marital rape and intimate partner violence are not specifically criminalized. The Committee called on Sri Lanka to intensify public awareness campaigns on the criminal nature of all forms of gender-based violence against women, including sexual violence. It also asked the State party to amend the Penal Code to explicitly criminalize marital rape in all circumstances. It further recommended strengthening the capacity of law enforcement and judicial authorities to effectively investigate and prosecute cases of gender-based violence against women.
The Committee was deeply concerned about the increasing restrictions on non-governmental organisations, including women’s organisations, and women human rights defenders. It also expressed concern about funding restrictions and bureaucratic obstacles that disproportionately hinder the work of women’s rights organisations, particularly those operating in conflict-affected areas.
It urged Sri Lanka to eliminate funding restrictions and bureaucratic obstacles that disproportionately affect women’s rights organisations, particularly in conflict-affected areas, by ensuring unimpeded access to financial resources and streamlining administrative procedures.
The UN further asked Sri Lanka to remove the requirement of Ministry of Defence clearance and the respective directive mandating compulsory registration of non-governmental organisations, to ensure that registration procedures are transparent, non-discriminatory, and free from governmental interference.