Sri Lanka police continue targeting families of the “disappeared,” HRW warns

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Wednesday that despite promises of reform, Sri Lankan security forces continue to harass the families of enforced disappearance victims, using the country’s counterterrorism methods to stifle justice and accountability.

In its statement, the humanitarian organization highlighted that President Dissanayake’s administration, nearly a year into power, has done little to change entrenched patterns of repression. Families of those last seen in military custody still face ongoing threats and interference for their engagement with international processes, such as the UN Human Rights Council and the Sri Lanka Accountability Project .

The concerns raised by the organization are echoed by other international bodies and governments. Earlier this month, a recent