ASIA/SRI LANKA - The Oblate missionaries: importance to guarantee the respect of human rights in Sri Lanka

Rome (Agenzia Fides) – Satisfaction for the release of the missionary Fr. Praveen Mahesan, OMI, and Ruki Fernando, a priest and an activist who had been stopped by the police on March 16; concern for the perpetuation of abuse and sudden disappearances of activists: is what was expressed in a statement by the "Justice and Peace" Office of the General Curia of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) sent to Fides Agency. In supporting the legality and condemning all forms of impunity, the statement calls on the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity and security of all human rights defenders in Sri Lanka. It also calls for the immediate release of Ms. Balendran Jeyakumari, a Tamil woman who was carrying out a campaign against disappearances, and to comply with the provisions of the UN Declaration on Human Rights in promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms of the individual in Sri Lanka. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 20/03/2014)