Human Rights and Religious Fanatics

“May all beings become painless, healthy, cured” this phrase Siyalu sathwaoy Niduk wethwa Nirogi Wethwa Suwapath wethwa is a Buddhist phrase  that is wished by millions of Buddhist in the world every morning. It’s a strong human rights saying, that even mentioned about animals in it. But unfortunately many religious fanatics today create suffering for other religions in countries where the Buddhism is primary religion. On the Blog active day (#BAD13) I would like to Share the Sri Lankan experience of freedom of religion. 

Sri Lanka is not a Buddhist country by its constitution. But in the constitution 

Chapter (II) article 9 say’s

 The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana  

But does that mean only religion in Sri Lanka must be Buddhism, No this article says that Buddhism will be given the foremost place. Above I have only quoted a part of what is in constitution. let’s read the latter part.

while assuring to all religions the rights granted by Articles 10 and 14(1)(e).

Yes, Buddhism will be given foremost place while assuring the rights of other religions granted by the Articles 10 and 14 (1) e. To get a deeper understanding of these rights let’s consider what is granted in articles 10 and 14.

Article 10 (http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/1978Constitution/Chapter_03_Amd.htm)

 Every person is entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.

Every person has the right of adopting his own belief. The word adopt has an interesting meaning. Adopt means according to web dictionary “take up or start to use or follow”.  That means I can adopt a new religion. I can follow one religion and if I feel that those practices are not agreeable, I can star following another religion. So as Sri Lankan citizens we have every right of following whatever the religion we like. We have granted this right as a fundamental right. So in sri lanak conversion is possible. But do we have the right to convert people? Or can we preach a religion? Lets consider Article 14 (1) e.

Article 14 (1) e.

Every citizen is entitled to -(e) the freedom, either by himself or in association with others, and either in public or in private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice or teaching;

Consider this article say’s every citizen is entitled to manifest his religion in private or in public. And article goes further and say every citizen is entitle to practice or teach the religion in private or public. If we have the freedom of teaching a religion in public that means we can preach our religion to people around us in public. It’s a fundamental right. That means we don’t have to get the permission from any other authority to do it. Fundamental rights are birth rights and it’s like the right to vote.

But unfortunately this right has been violated by many religious fanatics in the country. Relevant authorities have been closing there eyes and put some innocent religious people behind bars. Recently few religious fanatics have torchered 3 preaches of Jehovah’s Witness in Athurugiriya. Although media reported this incident, media did not condemn the situation. We heard that Police have imprisoned them for a Night and taken them to courts. But if we have a fundamental right of preaching religion, police should protect the Preaches and police must imprison those religious fanatics. This is Just one incident but thousand happen every year in Sri Lanka and authorities ignore them. USA embassy report on freedom of religion about Sri Lanka say’s

 There were reports of societal abuses and discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice. Sporadic violent attacks on Christian churches by Buddhists and some societal tension due to ongoing allegations of forced or “unethical” conversions (i.e., the use of bribes to persuade people to convert) continued, although the number and scale of attacks were reportedly fewer than in recent years. Intolerance of, and discrimination against, Muslims by some Buddhists increased during the year.(http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/news-events/key-reports.html)

Why this Happens?

Although our constitution is strong and the highest authority of the country many do not have the understanding of its laws. Many police persons arrest other non Buddhist religious persons because they fear these Buddhist fanatic monks. Although Political leaders understand the law they also are fearful of these monks who can change the vote of the people.

Solution

Educate the common police personals handle these situations,about the law . We must also educate the public about the fundamental rights. We must discuss about religious freedom in Sri lanka. Media should take the lead in discussing this. We say we live in a "Daharam Dipa", Island of Righteousness, so we should protect the rights of other people.