The cacophony of protests at a VVIP convoy-Depriving the right to a peaceful protest is depriving the right to freedom of speech and expression. -Media Organizations Collective

2020-05-01

Press release

Depriving the right to a peaceful protest is depriving the right to freedom of speech and expression.

-Media Organizations Collective

The media reports this morning (30) stated that a youth from the Battaramulla area who had led a peaceful protest against public traffic being stopped on the main road to allow a convoy of VIP vehicles to use the road had been arrested on charges of obstructing the duties of police officers. The Media Organizations Collective strongly protests against this developing trend where people are being deprived of their right to protest.

The incident was reported on social media and mainstream media recently, where a youth was seen protesting against the traffic being stopped on the main road used by the public to provide a special opportunity for VIP vehicles. It is clear from the video that the young man had asked all the vehicles on the main road during the night to use their vehicle horns and protest, stating that all vehicles travelling on the main road had been stopped for the benefit of the VIP vehicles and not for any emergency.

Every citizen has the right to protest against any action. This has been acknowledged in a number of previous Supreme Court judgments. The case of AMARATUNGA v. SIRIMAL AND OTHERS (JANA GHOSHA CASE) (264 SLR (1993) 1)https://bit.ly/3uaiZe7 is one of the best examples.

This ruling recognizes that the tooting of motor vehicle horns is also part of the Fundamental right to speech and expression.

We do not know the political party affiliation or status of the person who opposed the vehicle traffic is stopped on the main road for a while to give priority to a convoy of VIP vehicles, but it appears from the relevant video that his action was a peaceful demonstration.  It is a serious situation if a protest cannot be expressed in this manner in a democratic society. The arrest of peaceful protesters on various other charges cannot be justified under any circumstance.

There have been numerous incidents in the past where the constitutionally guaranteed right to speech and expression has been violated and those who exercised the right of speech and expression arrested. This is a very serious situation.

The Media Collective calls on all people advocating for the right to freedom of speech and expression to urge the government to uphold the right to freedom of speech and expression and to refrain from arresting those who exercise such rights, under various other charges.

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Media Organizations Collective,

C/O,

Sri Lanka Working Journalist Association,

No 276/3, Pradeepa Mawatha,

Maligawatte,

Colombo 1000

Sri Lanka.