Govt. should take measures to protect Lankans in Afghanistan: SJB

• Specific attention must be paid to the rights of women and children

 By Yohan Perera

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) called upon the Government of Sri Lanka to immediately take all measures necessary to secure Sri Lanka’s national interests in Afghanistan.

SJB Leader and Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said Sri Lanka should go for measures such as protecting the lives and property of Sri Lankan nationals working in Afghanistan and ensuring the security of our Embassy and its staff.

“Since Afghanistan is a fellow member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), we additionally call upon the Secretary-General of SAARC to use his good offices to ensure the safety and security of SAARC nationals during this time.

The SJB wishes to remind the Sri Lankan government of its international obligations during a crisis of this nature. It specifically calls upon the government to respect the obligation of non-refoulment, which forbids a country from returning asylum seekers to a country in which they would be in likely danger of persecution. In this context, the government has a specific obligation to respect the rights of Afghan asylum seekers who are either currently residing in Sri Lanka or may enter Sri Lanka in the future. 

Specific attention must be paid to the rights of women and children, as they are particularly vulnerable during political crises of this nature,” Mr. Premadasa said in a statement.

The SJB Leader expressed its solidarity with the people of Afghanistan. He called upon the Taliban regime to respect human rights, and ensure early restoration of democratic governance based on the consent of the People.
BLURB

Since Afghanistan is a fellow member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), we additionally call upon the Secretary-General of SAARC to use his good offices to ensure the safety and security of SAARC nationals during this time