European HR Ambassadors concerned of Hejaaz Hezbollah's detention

Colombo (News 1st); The European Human Rights Ambassadors From the Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland and Luxembourg have called on Sri Lanka to respect all human rights defenders as leading human rights advocate Hejaaz Hezbollah continues to be detained.

In a joint statement, the European Human Rights Ambassadors say "We remain deeply concerned by the continued incarceration of reputed lawyer Mr. Hejaaz Hizbulla since April 2020" They add that Hejaaz Hizbulla is now being accused of speech-related offences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and other laws. The Human Rights Ambassadors say that the role of human rights defenders is crucial to the protection and promotion of human rights in a country and that governments have a special responsibility to protect human rights defenders, and prevent their persecution. The joint statement says, "We join the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and special procedures mandate holders, in urging the government of Sri Lanka to respect human rights defenders such as Mr Hizbulla".