Protest in London over forced cremation in Sri Lanka

Glocal
By Editor_1
-Facebook
0

LONDON – Over 400 Sri Lankan Muslims living in the UK and their supporters came together on Saturday (12) to demonstrate against the enforced cremation of Muslim and Christian COVID-dead and show solidarity with the families and communities traumatized by the arbitrary decree.

The demonstration held in front of the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, saw around one hundred people joining the demonstration in stages owing to social distancing requirements in keeping with the COVID-related health guidelines.

The UK government had said earlier it was concerned about the Government of Sri Lanka’s decision to mandate cremations for all those affected by COVID-19, and recognizes the particular impact this is having on Sri Lankan Muslims and other faith communities.

The Minister of State for South Asia and Minister responsible for Human Rights, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, is reported to have raised concerns about this directly with the Sri Lankan High Commissioner.

The UK’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka has also raised concerns about mandatory cremations with the Sri Lankan government, most recently in November.

The UK said it has shared guidance with the Government of Sri Lanka on how burials can continue to operate in a safe format, within the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), to ensure all religious groups can practice their rites.

The UK had said it will continue to engage with the Government of Sri Lanka on this important issue.

The UK-based South Asia Solidarity Group voiced its opposition to the cruel and unnecessary mandating of cremations, and in a message of solidarity with the minority communities of Sri Lanka, which was read out at the demonstration by Baazir Rahman, one of the organizers of the protest, said mourning and grieving for their loved ones has become a fraught political issue, provoking great pain and anger amongst Muslims and Christians.

The statement in full:

We at South Asia Solidarity Group stand in solidarity with the Muslim, Christian and Catholic communities of Sri Lanka who are at present facing the thoroughly inhumane and arbitrary policy laid down by the Sri Lankan government, which outlaws burials and imposes mandatory cremations of people who are believed to have died of COVID 19 infections. The change in policy was sudden and deployed without any transparency or reliable scientific justification.

The death of a loved one, especially during these times of the pandemic, whether by COVID or otherwise, has now begun to strike fear into the hearts of persons belonging to minority communities. Mourning and grieving for their loved ones has become a fraught political issue, provoking great pain and anger amongst Muslims and Christians.

The deployment of this policy has resulted in a range of arbitrary practices, such as taking the body of the dead person, summarily, from the person’s home to the police morgue, or not even allowing the family any form of funerary rites, at times cremating it before the COVID 19 test results are even available and even cremating those who were not COVID positive. The invasion by the State, into the private grief of minority community members, in particular, the Muslim community, appears vengeful and it is clear such a policy is being carried out to appease extremist Sinhala Buddhist opinion which was already targeting the Muslim community as the spreaders of the COVID 19 virus in Sri Lanka.

We are told that the experts committee set up by the government for this purpose has recommended this change in policy. But this committee has been publicly criticized by the country’s leading epidemiologists and virologists, who were not invited to sit on the experts committee. The World Health Organization (WHO) has clearly stated that burials are safe. Several other UN bodies and international human rights organizations and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka have invoked international covenants on religious freedoms and rights of religious practice and have asked the government to desist from forcible cremations against the wishes of religious minorities, especially since such a policy has no scientific basis. Many civil society and religious groups within the country have also appealed to the government but all to no avail.

This will inevitably polarize the different communities even further but we see total indifference to the concerns of the minority communities on the part of the Sri Lankan majoritarian government. After the end of the long civil war of thirty years in which vast numbers of Tamil civilians perished, the majoritarian state turned its attention on the Muslim community. Many of its policies have had the effect of harassing and persecuting the Muslim minority community especially, in order to appease the Sinhala Buddhist nationalist vote bank it has nurtured.

The election of the President and the current Parliament has triggered the dramatic politicization of the administrative organs of the State and the judiciary at such a rapid rate, in the service of the executive. The 20th amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution which became law recently consolidates virtually all state power in the hands of the President, rendering even parliament a subordinate institution. This leaves very little space for democratic forces in the country to challenge this form of untrammelled power.

The applications by eleven families seeking legal remedy to the issue of forcible cremations to the Supreme Court have been turned down by a majority of judges on the bench to proceed further for a substantive hearing. Having been frustrated in their efforts to take forward a legal challenge to this draconian policy, the community is gradually turning to forms of civic disobedience, where people are refusing to pay for the cremations as demanded by the government and are also beginning to refuse the ashes following cremation. Such is the trauma and pain felt within the communities.

This mandatory cremation policy is yet another step in the majoritarian agenda of the current government, rendering life for minority communities in Sri Lanka quite intolerable. We voice our opposition to this cruel and unnecessary mandating of cremations and stand in solidarity with the minority communities of Sri Lanka. We also stand in solidarity with those voices in Sri Lanka which are challenging majoritarianism and the growing authoritarianism, through the concentration of power in one executive institution.

–South Asia Solidarity Group

Editor_1
You might also like More from author

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

otc high blood pressure treatment blood pressure guidelines medications blood pressure pills that is safe for the liver high blood pressure medication levothyroxine blood pressure medication that reduces blood pressure is there any difference in blood pressure pills high blood pressure child medication blood pressure medication recommendation nose blue blood pressure medication blood pressure is 150 68 should i take my medication blood pressure medication while nursing taking a bunch of high blood pressure pills aerobic exercise and blood pressure medication good blood pressure medication acupuncture treatment for low blood pressure best over the counter pills for high blood pressure blood pressure pill amlodipine besylate high blood pressure signs and treatment moderna vaccine blood pressure medication which blood pressure drugs do not cause tinnitus blood pressure medication fights cancer blood pressure medication skin rash side effects of high blood pressure medication impotence medication to avoid on blood pressure medications high blood pressure rx medication peripheral neuropathy caused by blood pressure medication high blood pressure in pregnancy treatment nice runny nose do to blood pressure medication how to get off of blood pressure pills hiv medication and high blood pressure niacin treatment for high blood pressure two drugs for blood pressure that caused cancer high blood pressure causing medications high blood pressure medication names canada blood pressure medication side effects alcohol i take 3 blood pressure medication blood pressure pills that help with anxiety what iv drug raises blood pressure list of doctors who formulated blood pressure medications how to remember blood pressure medications sleeping pills blood pressure how fast does blood pressure medication take effect sweet n low high blood pressure medication home treatment for blood pressure high blood pressure medication matrocet high blood pressure medication doses blood pressure drug bystolic iberstaron blood pressure medication blood pressure medications st alphabetical celexa and high blood pressure medication does blood pressure pills irritation skin can i take combivent with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications beta blockers list what to do if blood pressure medication does not work drugs to lower your blood pressure red beet pills for blood pressure taurine and blood pressure medications how ling for garlic pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication list and side effects can i take aspirin with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication teaching about hot tubs water pills high blood pressure over counter what is an arb medication for blood pressure resveratrol high blood pressure medication high blood pressure medication and weight loss gum disease and blood pressure medication benzenesulfonic acid in blood pressure medication taking two blood pressure pills by mistake allergy pills for high blood pressure blood pressure prescription drugs safety blood pressure medication in pregnancy trazodone and blood pressure medication which blood pressure medication is linked to skin cancer list of blood pressure medications with the least side effects could blood pressure medication make blood thicker disadvantages of high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications ludipril typical drugs for high blood pressure otc water pills for high blood pressure blood pressure medications that do not doncause bowel blockage high blood pressure after corrosion treatment how soon does high blood pressure medication work blood pressure medication teaching amertyrine high blood pressure medication increased blood pressure and heart rate after drug overdose over the counter drugs high blood pressure blood pressure medication 25 is blood pressure medication a nitrate most effective blood pressure pills blood pressure medical does red yeast rice interfere with high blood pressure medication can apple cider vinegar pills lower blood pressure does blood pressure medication give you headaches high blood pressure medication and driving should you take blood pressure pills with food inn blood pressure drugs can you eat bananas if taking blood pressure medication popular high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication los blood pressure medication second drug low blood pressure and hypertension medication do water pills lower blood pressure high blood pressure pill aqunadine high blood pressure cholesterol medication how does medication lower blood pressure acetaminophen blood pressure medication blood pressure medication 30 mg that works around the heart what does grapefruit do to blood pressure medication can red yeast rice be taken with blood pressure medication pharmaceutical treatment for high blood pressure are blood pressure pills statins blood pressure pills that start with r blood pressure medication and male impotence taking baby aspirin with other high blood pressure medications what is the medical name for a blood pressure cuff leg cramps and blood pressure medication blood pressure pill name starts with p natural high blood pressure treatments blood pressure medication names losartan higher blood pressure with radiation treatment medical marijauna high blood pressure how to avoid medication for high blood pressure what time is best to take blood pressure medication medication for palpitations and high blood pressure latest news on blood pressure treatment what if i take two blood pressure pills does xanax interfere with blood pressure medication amlipan blood pressure medication vitamin e and blood pressure medication tell me the side effects of high blood pressure medication herbs pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication urge to urinate what medication will safely replace lisop as blood pressure medicine active ingredient in high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications cause adrenal tumors is biktarvy ok to take with high blood pressure medication alembic blood pressure medication sandoz blood pressure medication exercise high blood pressure medication grapefruit pills blood pressure treatment for high blood pressure at home blood pressure medication for patients with osa cycle on off blood pressure medication blood pressure drugs that do not cause heat sensitivity blood pressure medications that do not cause coughing what blood pressure medications do not cause rosacea pfizer blood pressure medication side effects do garlic pills really help lower blood pressure should i take medication for anxiety induced blood pressure treatment for uncontrolled blood pressure decongestant medication high blood pressure can stiff days be used with high blood pressure medication how long does it take medication to lower blood pressure what if i miss a blood pressure pill tribenzor high blood pressure pills law lawsuit 2023 treatment of sudden drop in blood pressure zoloft and blood pressure medication orange high blood pressure pill cancer blood pressure pill why cant people with high blood pressure take keto pills how long for blood pressure to go down mini pill should i get second opinion before taking blood pressure medication blood pressure erectile dysfunction medication high blood pressure medication m lot ben medical device lowers blood pressure puppy ate blood pressure pill are there medications for low blood pressure dod blood pressure medication is losartan a blood pressure pill combination drugs for blood pressure marijuana and blood pressure medication interaction blood pressure medication interactions with grapefruit can you eat bananas while taking high blood pressure medication steps before going on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when to cut down foods to avoid on blood pressure medication blood pressure medications depression blood pressure medication non beta blocker tattoos and high blood pressure medication what is the medications used to lower blood pressure quickly high blood pressure medication leg swelling blood pressure medication men in your 40s blood pressure medication wieight loss blood pressure medication hy can blood pressure medication lower blood sugar does blood pressure medication make you pee natural treatment high blood pressure during pregnancy can you take l arginine with high blood pressure medication what class of blood pressure medication can can blood pressure pills reduce appetite faa approved medication for high blood pressure high blood pressure medication during pregnancy best blood pressure medication for type 2 diabetes blood pressure and pain medication pain medication that does not affect blood pressure best high blood pressure drugs on the market if you take incorrect medications to lower blood pressure low blood pressure treatments does your body have to adjust to blood pressure medication why water pill for high blood pressure drugs for treatment of very high blood pressure during pregnancy can i drink grapefruit juice with high blood pressure medication can blood pressure pills make you feel cold high blood pressure medication that helps with weight loss amlodipine blood pressure drug blood pressure medication for infants varicose veins blood pressure medication life extension high blood pressure medication does tylenol interfere with blood pressure medication can i take diamox with other high blood pressure medications prestige medical blood pressure cuff calibration drugs used for high blood pressure chamomile tea and high blood pressure medication narcotics stored alongside blood pressure medications in does nutrigrove blood pressure pills work extremely low blood pressure treatment blood pressure medication for iga nephropathy blood pressure medication low side effects can i increase my blood pressure medication what is the best blood pressure medication to take drugs that cause increased blood pressure does biotin interfere with high blood pressure medication cani od on high blood pressure pills blood pressure medication that also helps with jerking blood pressure medication categories first line treatment of high blood pressure medication for low blood pressure in usa armour thyroid drug interactions blood pressure meds hepatitis c treatment high blood pressure high blood pressure arb drugs low blood pressure treatment with essential oils high blood pressure medication list for pregnancy blood pressure medication and snake venom blood pressure medication low dose liquid blood pressure medications ivf drugs and high blood pressure left my blood pressure medication does it matter when you take blood pressure medication can you take blood pressure pills twice a day privilin blood pressure medication how big are blood pressure pills once you start blood pressure medication can you stop diuretic in blood pressure medication what medication reduce blood pressure new blood pressure treatment prescribed home medications for high blood pressure blood pressure medication side effects forums taking blood pressure pills dizzy when bend over a lot blood pressure medication and nyquil cinnamon pills and high blood pressure temporary high blood pressure treatment single agent blood pressure medication blood pressure medication made in china fda approved medications to reduce blood pressure immediate treatment for high blood pressure at home best time to take blood pressure pills muscle loss on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when needed treat high blood pressure without medication blood pressure medication side effects for men cbd pills for high blood pressure blood pressure regulation without medication blood pressure medication and pre workout high blood pressure alzheimer disease and antihypertensive treatment miss blood pressure medication blood pressure pills suicide peaceful emergency drugs for low blood pressure common blood pressure medications in canada systolic blood pressure define medical viril and high blood pressure pills can statin drugs help lower blood pressure do you have to wean off blood pressure medication new drugs for blood pressure when is high blood pressure medication necessary drugs for hi blood pressure cold medications and blood pressure taking 2 blood pressure pills mistake why doctors stopped prescribing blood pressure medication common high blood pressure medication canada what side effects does blood pressure medication have ulcer medication high blood pressure can high blood pressure medication elevate alkaline phosphatase blood pressure medication warning getting blood pressure medication jamaica alkaline water and blood pressure medication blood pressure going up and down with medication drugs reduce systolic blood pressure treatment for rapid high blood pressure low blood pressure alternative treatment do all high blood pressure medications cause weight gain medication for increasing blood pressure blood pressure medication for african american males vitamins for high blood pressure treatment aleve with blood pressure medication how to lower blood pressure without pills blood pressure triple pill who blood pressure guidelines for hygiene treatment what drug reduces blood pressure blood pressure medications enalapril met blood pressure medication