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<p class="MsoNormal"><b style><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%"><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%">SYMPOSIUM ON HUMAN
RIGHTS, INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY & HEALTH RIGHTS</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style><u><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%"><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">The People’s Health Movement, Sri Lanka (PHMSL) held the above
Symposium on 11 January 2014 with their member organizations. It was held in Colombo.<span style>
</span>The hall was fully packed and all the participants listened to the
proceedings enthusiastically.<span style> </span>Dr Vinya
Ariyaratne took the chair.<span style> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Mr Saliya Peiris, prominent Human
Rights Lawyer in Sri Lanka spoke on the prevailing<span style> </span>human rights status and the situation on the
independence of the judiciary of the country.<span style>
</span>He explained that the Sri Lanka Constitution does not have the right to
life and he mentioned that, by way of certain judgments, the right to life has
been accepted.<span style> </span>Mr Peiris <span style> </span>stated that many human rights are included in
the Sri Lanka Constitution but, at present, those rights are in danger because of
the deterioration of independence of judiciary.<span style>
</span>As an example was given the abolishing of the 17<sup>th</sup> Amendment of the Constitution
and the Impeachment of the former Chief Justice.<span style> </span>It was his fervent view that if human rights
are to be safeguarded it is vital to have independence of the judiciary.<span style> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Dr Manuj Weerasinghe, Senior
Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Colombo spoke about the health
rights.<span style> </span>He Emphasized that the Sri
Lankan Constitution does not mention about the right to health.<span style> </span>He further explained that it is our duty to make sure that<span style> </span>health rights are
included in the Sri Lanka Constitution. He further stated that there are
many judgments which can be used to protect health rights.<span style> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">After that, as regards the Drug
Policy,<span style> </span>Dr Manuj mentioned that the
National Medicines Drug Policy was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in 2006
which includes 10 areas that need to be implemented.<span style> </span>The citizens<span style>
</span>of this country need to know if those areas are addressed adequately and
in a comprehensive manner in the draft <b style>National
Medicinal Drugs Authority </b><span style></span>Bill.<span style> </span>Hence,<span style>
</span>we should demand that this bill in full should be given to the public to
observe and to comment.<span style> </span>The citizens of
this country have the right to know that the contents of this Bill, before it
is presented to the Parliament.<span style> </span>The
citizens of the country are to suffer if harmful provisions are included or
deliberate safeguards are omitted in this Bill.<span style>
</span>This Bill is kept under close doors up to now even from the
professionals and key stakeholders and health activists.<span style> </span>He further emphasized that this very action could
arise suspicion on the actual contents of the proposed bill.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Dr Dayanath Ranatunga, Sri Lanka
Representative of UNAIDS explained why we use health rights approach for health
programmes.<span style> </span>The victims blame approach
discriminates the victims.<span style> </span>The rights
based approach protects the rights of the victims.<span style> </span>Especially, when we work to control HIV and
AIDS, we have protect the rights of the PLHIV.<span style>
</span>He stated that otherwise we are creating more problems to victims and he
explained about the present doctor-patient relationship as a power struggle.<span style> </span>The patients do not have the courage to find
out details from the doctor.<span style> </span>Hence, our
duty is to empower common people to have a dialogue with the medical people.<span style> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">After this, many participants
presented their individual views.<span style> </span>All
agreed to have a campaign to know the status of the Drugs Policy.<span style> </span>It was also decided to be vigilant about the
independence of judiciary.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%">Sirimal Peiris</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
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