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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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13 July 2010

Update Alert: Sri Lanka – Sri Lankan Muslim writer’s case postponed

The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has received information that the case of Sarah Melanie Perera has been postponed until November 2010.

The Sri Lankan Muslim convert who lives in Bahrain was arrested after spending three months holiday in her home country. She was arrested on charges of writing two books offending Buddha and Buddhism.

On 30 June, a second hearing was held at the court in Hultsdorf in which it was decided to postpone the case and it was handed over to the Attorney General for his instructions.

Lakshan Dias, Perera’s lawyer, argued in the first hearing that these charges were not based on any facts as there was no sign of insult for Buddha or Buddhism in Perera’s books. He also argued that she did not attempt to disturb peace in the country. Dias was denied the right to defend her case in the second hearing on 30 July.

It is reported that according to Sri Lanka’s law, offending people by condemnation of religion is a punishable offence with one or two year imprisonment and a fine.

For further background information please visit the following link:

Alert: Sri Lanka – Sri Lankan Muslim convert to be tried under Emergency Law tomorrow
 
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“And what reason have you that you should not fight in the way of Allah and of the weak among the men and the women and the children, (of) those who say: Our Lord! Cause us to go forth from this town, whose people are oppressors, and give us from Thee a guardian and give us from Thee a helper.”
Holy Qur’an: Chapter 4, Verse 75

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