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HRC calls out BASL for unethical behaviour of some lawyers
View(s):The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has pulled up the Bar Association of Sri Lanka after members of some of its regional branches refused to appear on behalf of members of the Muslim community arrested in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks.
The areas these lawyers belong to include Mawanella and Badulla. “As a result, family members of those arrested have been compelled to obtain services of lawyers from other regions, entailing much financial hardship and inconvenience,” wrote Deepika Udagama, HRCSL Chairperson to BASL President Kalinga Indatissa.
“It was also observed that members of the Nikaweratiya Bar had protested when police had requested court not to grant bail to those arrested on suspicion of participating in the communal violence perpetrated on May 13 in some parts of the country,” she stated.
“You would agree that such positions taken by learned members of the legal profession point to conduct that is seriously at variance with the expected standards of ethical and honourable conduct of legal practitioners who are engaged in a profession based on liberal values,” her letter asserts. “Such discriminatory conduct, you would agree, denies to some of our fellow citizens the possibility of enjoying equal protection of the law under the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
“This is a serious situation which questions the core values of our legal profession,” Dr Udagama states. “Hence, we request you in earnest to look into this matter and take urgent corrective measures. We would be appreciative if you would share with the Commission action taken by BASL in this regard.”
Mr Indatissa said the “contents of the letter are wrong”. He refused to elaborate.