Sri Lankans call for urgent UN action for Gaza ceasefire, accountability and release of Palestinian political prisoners!
Condemning the inhumane practices being carried out in Palestine in defiance of the ceasefire agreement, a group of Sri Lankan “representatives of the Free Palestine Movement” and some civil society organizations and human rights activists staged a protest on Tuesday evening, October 21, after marching from the Palestinian Embassy to the UN Office in Colombo. The organizers said they handed over a petition to the UN, urging it to “intervene for a permanent ceasefire and the release of political prisoners.”
The protesters, in front of the UN Office, held placards with their demands written in English, Sinhala, and Tamil: “Free Palestine”, “Palestinians want their land back”, “Stop Bombing Gaza”, “From river to the Sea – Free Palestine”.
Representatives of the “Free Palestine Movement” in Sri Lanka, which is paying close attention to the Palestinian crisis, including civil society activists, institutions, and individuals, have submitted this petition to the UN Resident Coordinator, expressing their support for the freedom of Palestine.
In the petition handed over to the UN office in Colombo, they addressed the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Mr. Franche, expressing deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe, widespread violations of International law in Gaza, and the continued detention of Palestinian political prisoners, including children, by the State of Israel.
These grave issues demand urgent and coordinated action by the United Nations system, especially through the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The petition says that “as the international community calls for a durable and verifiable ceasefire, we respectfully request your office to convey the following to relevant UN bodies and agencies.”
Support for a Permanent Ceasefire and Full Humanitarian Access
We echo the call by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for an immediate, permanent ceasefire that guarantees full humanitarian access, the protection of civilians, and the cessation of hostilities by all parties. Temporary truces have failed to prevent the suffering, displacement, and death of the civilian population in Gaza.
Strengthen Monitoring and Accountability Through OHCHR
We urge the UN Country Team to advocate for increased support to OHCHR’s vital role in: Monitoring ceasefire violations and civilian protection obligations;
Documenting evidence of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possible acts of genocide;
Supporting independent inquiries or commissions of inquiry mandated by the Human Rights Council.
Immediate Release of Political Prisoners and Detainees
We draw your attention to the urgent need for the return of over 9,000 Palestinian political prisoners, including nearly 400 children, currently held in Israeli custody. Reports from released long-term detainees reveal credible evidence of torture, degrading treatment, and extrajudicial killings. These practices constitute serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.
We urge the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to oversee, through impartial bodies such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the release and safe return of all political prisoners to their families. The continued detention and abuse of these individuals must be addressed as part of any ceasefire and accountability process.
Appointment of a Special Envoy for Accountability
Given the severity of the violations, we call for the urgent appointment of a UN Special Envoy or Special Rapporteur with a mandate to ensure accountability. This role should include evidence-gathering, engagement with victims and survivors, and coordination with international legal mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), where applicable.
Centering Justice and Victims’ Rights in Political Resolutions
A sustainable ceasefire must be grounded in justice. We urge the UN to ensure that any political resolution includes strong human rights guarantees, mechanisms for redress, and long-term protection for displaced and affected populations.
As a country and people who have experienced the enduring impact of conflict and unaddressed grievances, Sri Lanka’s civil society is acutely aware of the dangers of impunity. The credibility of the United Nations depends on its ability to uphold international law and its own Charter principles consistently and without selectivity.
Finally, the petition urges saying ” We urge your office to relay this appeal urgently to the UN Secretariat, OHCHR, other relevant UN agencies, and relevant international mechanisms, and ensure that the Sri Lankan people’s voice, in solidarity with justice, accountability, and peace, is heard at this critical time”.
Pictures: Free Palestine Movement
