[act-ma] 3/6 Vigil for freedom of expression in Sri Lanka (Friday)

[Rebecca Martin]

*What:* Vigil for prisoners of conscience and freedom of expression in Sri
Lanka
**
*Date*: Friday, March 6, 2009
**
*Time*: 6pm-730pm
**
*Where*: Intersection of Holland and College Ave, Davis Sq., Somerville

* *

*Why:*

**

Join us at a vigil urging Sri Lankan authorities to uphold freedom of
expression and immediately and unconditionally release Sri Lankan journalist
J.S. Tissainayagam (known as Tissa), a man imprisoned solely for his
legitimate work as a journalist.



This vigil, held simultaneously as other vigils at Sri Lankan embassies
internationally, will call on Sri Lankan authorities to release Tissa and
uphold their obligations to protect the right to freedom of expression.



The violation of media workers’ human rights in Sri Lanka is of deep concern
to Amnesty International; media repression in Sri Lanka is one of the major
factors that allows for the human rights crisis in the country to
continually unfold behind closed doors. Tissa was arbitrarily held for
several months without charge until indicted under terrorist legislation in
August 2008 for two articles he wrote in a monthly magazine.  He suffers
from an eye condition and could go blind if untreated; Amnesty International
asks that Tissa is allowed unrestricted access to his family, a lawyer of
his choice, and independent court and specialized medical treatment.



For more information about Tissa’s case and human rights in Sri Lanka visit
http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/sri-lanka.



If you have questions about the vigil, visit http://www.amnesty133.org or
http://www.bostonfireflyproject.org or email amnesty133 at gmail.com.
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