News

- Minorities & Indigenous
High Commissioner’s oral update and Hong Kong, India, Sri Lanka and migration (HRC42, 2019, OS)

IMADR delivered the oral statement on “High Commissioner’s oral update and Hong Kong, India, Sri Lanka and migration” at the 42nd session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or download here. ——— Oral Statement: 42nd session of the Human Rights Council Item 2: General Debate – Oral update by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 11 September 2019 Speaker: Taisuke KOMATSU Thank you Mr. President, We share the High Commissioner’s concerns on the negative impacts of climate change on the enjoyment of human rights which are disproportionately affecting marginalised and discriminated groups such as indigenous peoples, minorities and migrants. We echo the High Commissioner […]
September 11, 2019
- Minorities & Indigenous
Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Minority Issues: Education, Language and Human Rights of Minorities (20-21 September, Bangkok)

IMADR is co-sponsoring the first Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Minority Issues organised by UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Dr Fernand de Varennes and Tom Lantos Institute on “Education, Language and Human Rights of Minorities” which will take place from 20th to 21st September in Bangkok, Thailand. Participation is open to individuals involved in minority issues in the Asia-Pacific region only (list of countries), and with a clear focus and expertise on the education in and teaching of minority languages. All individual participants must register online here (Registration is open until midnight CET on Wednesday 11th September 2019). Detailed information is available in the Call for participation
August 16, 2019
- Minorities & Indigenous
Racist hate speech against minority protesters in Hong Kong (HRC41, 2019, OS)

IMADR delivered the oral statement on “Racist hate speech against minority protesters in Hong Kong” at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or download here. ——— Oral Statement: 41st session of the Human Rights Council Item 9: General Debate 9 July 2019 Speaker: Taisuke KOMATSU Thank you Mr. President, We express concerns on reports that protesters from minority backgrounds in Hong Kong have been subject to racist hate speech, in particular in the internet, and the Hong Kong government has failed to address such racist manifestations targeting minorities who were simply exercising their right to dissent against an extradition bill. While the bill […]
July 9, 2019
- Minorities & Indigenous
Extractivism and indigenous people in West Papua, Indonesia (HRC41, 2019, Joint-OS)

IMADR delivered the joint oral statement on “Extractivism and indigenous people in West Papua, Indonesia” at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or download here. ——— Joint Oral Statement: 41st session of the Human Rights Council Item 9: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on racism 8 July 2019 Speaker: Taisuke KOMATSU Thank you Mr. President, I deliver this statement on behalf of IMADR and Franciscans International. We thank the Special Rapporteur on her report on global extractivism and racial equality. We support her recommendations to States to ensure human rights protections in extractive activities of transnational corporations. In this context, we are […]
July 8, 2019
- Minorities & Indigenous
Freedom of expression in Okinawa, Japan (HRC41, 2019, Joint-OS)

IMADR delivered the joint oral statement on “Freedom of expression in Okinawa, Japan” at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or download here. ——— Joint Oral Statement: 41st session of the Human Rights Council Item 3: General Debate 1 July 2019 Speaker: Taisuke KOMATSU Thank you Mr. President, We express our appreciation to the first follow-up report on country visits presented by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. We welcome the gradual trend among different special procedures towards undertaking follow-up actions. We strongly encourage mandate holders to integrate follow-up activities in their […]
July 1, 2019
- Minorities & Indigenous
Accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka (HRC41, 2019, Joint-OS)

IMADR joined the oral statement made by Franciscans International at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or downloaded here. ——— 41st Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Joint Oral Statement: General Debate Item 2 Oral update by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights 25 June 2019 Delivered by Fr Ashok Stephen OMI – Franciscans International Thank you Mr. President, Franciscans International, International Movement against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR) and Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) welcome the Oral update of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. We join her in expressing […]
July 1, 2019
- Minorities & Indigenous
Sri Lanka: Joint Urgent Appeal to Provide Protection for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

JOINT URGENT APPEAL TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS IN SRI LANKA We, the undersigned organisations, write with concern for the safety of refugees and asylum seekers in Sri Lanka in the wake of the Easter Sunday attacks. Over 250 people were killed, and hundreds injured in the Easter Sunday attacks on April 21, 2019. We condemn these attacks and call upon the authorities in Sri Lanka to identify and prosecute the perpetrators and take steps to prevent further attacks. The authorities in Sri Lanka should also take steps to maintain order and prevent retaliatory vigilante actions. Unfortunately, refugees and asylum seekers have been unfairly targeted and displaced […]
May 9, 2019
- Minorities & Indigenous
IMADR urges the Government of Sri Lanka to bring perpetrators of Easter Sunday attacks to justice and protect religious minorities

24 April 2019 International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR) strongly denounces the series of blast attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on the Easter Sunday, 21st of April 2019. These explosions in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa have killed over 320 people and left more than 500 people wounded as reported in the media. We express our sincere condolences to the victims, their families and friends, and people of Sri Lanka. At the same time, we strongly urge the Government of Sri Lanka to investigate these attacks in a swift and impartial manner and bring those responsible for the attacks to justice. IMADR deeply regrets that […]
April 24, 2019
- Minorities & Indigenous
Reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka (HRC40, 2019, Joint-OS)

IMADR delivered the joint oral statement with Franciscans International on “Reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka” at the 40th session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or downloaded here. Due to the time constraints, the shorter version of the statement was delivered. ——— Joint Oral Statement: 40th session of the Human Rights Council Item 2: Interactive dialogue on the OHCHR report on Sri Lanka 20 March 2019 Speaker: Ameer Faaiz Thank you, Mr. President. I was here, with you, a year ago, sharing my dismay at the terrible events that were taking place in Sri Lanka, my country, in March 2018. You will recall, violent mobs led […]
March 20, 2019
- Minorities & Indigenous
HRC40 Side Event: Role of Civil Society in Transitional Justice Process in Sri Lanka (15h, 18 March)

Together with CIVICUS, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), Franciscans International, Human Rights Watch, International Commission of Jurists, IMADR is holding a side event on “Role of Civil Society in Transitional Justice Process in Sri Lanka” at the 40th session of the Human Rights Council from 15:00, Monday 18th March at Room XXIV in Palais des Nations.
March 15, 2019
- Minorities & Indigenous
“UN monitoring on Sri Lanka must continue”, civil society calls on Human Rights Council (28 February 2019)

On Thursday the 28th of February at the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council, jointly with Amnesty International, FORUM-ASIA, CIVICUS, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), Franciscans International, Human Rights Watch, International Commission of Jurists and the International Service for Human Rights, IMADR held a side event titled “Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka”. Mr. Budi Tjahjono from Franciscans International moderated the event. Ms. Sandya Eknaligoda and Dr. Kasipillai Manoharan gave testimonies about their cases. Human rights defenders from Sri Lanka namely: Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu from the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), Ms. Shyamala Gomez from the Centre for Equality and Justice (CEJ) and Mr. Senaka Perera from […]
March 5, 2019
- Minorities & Indigenous
OISL report and transitional justice in Sri Lanka (HRC30, 2015, OS)

IMADR delivered its oral statement on “OISL report and transitional justice in Sri Lanka” at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or downloaded here. ——— IMADR Oral Statement: 30th session of the Human Rights Council Item 2: High Commissioner’s report on Sri Lanka 30 September 2015 Thank you Mr. President, IMADR and Rights Now Collective for Collective for Democracy welcome the OISL report and the recommendations of the High Commissioner. We regret that it took six long years for the international community to recognise the violations of human rights and humanitarian law, war crimes, crimes against humanity and gruesome gender based violence […]
September 30, 2015
- Minorities & Indigenous
HRC 30 Side Event: Civil Society Responses to the OHCHR report on Sri Lanka (4pm, 28 September)

Together with Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and Minority Rights Group International, IMADR is holding a side event on “Civil Society Responses to the OHCHR report on Sri Lanka” at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council from 4 pm, Monday 28 September at Room XXI in Palais des Nations. For further information, click on the flyer below.
September 24, 2015
- Minorities & Indigenous
Transitional justice in Sri Lanka (HRC30, 2015, OS)

IMADR delivered its oral statement on “Transitional justice in Sri Lanka” at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or downloaded here. ——— IMADR Oral Statement: 30th session of the Human Rights Council Item 3: Clustered Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence 15 September 2015 Thank you Mr. President, We welcome the Special Rapporteur’s advisory visit to Sri Lanka early this year. In follow-up to his visit, we wish to share our concerns on transitional justice processes in Sri Lanka. Despite his emphasis on the need to facilitate participation of victims, women […]
September 16, 2015
- Minorities & Indigenous
Self-determination of the Ryukyu/Okinawa and accountability in Sri Lanka (HRC29, 2015, OS)

IMADR statement on “Self-determination of the Ryukyu/Okinawa and accountability in Sri Lanka” at the 29th session of the Human Rights Council. Whole text can be read below or downloaded here. ——— IMADR Oral Statement: 29th session of the Human Rights Council Item 4: General Debate 24 June 2015 Thank you Mr. President, We are alarmed by the current situation in Japan where human rights of the people of the Ryukyu/ Okinawa are under threat by the construction plan of a new U.S. military base in Henoko. Despite of the opposition from the majority of local population and potential negative impacts on various human rights including the right to environment, the […]
June 24, 2015