DICID condemns forced cremation of Sri Lankan Muslim and Christian COVID-19 victims

15 Dec DICID condemns forced cremation of Sri Lankan Muslim and Christian COVID-19 victims

The Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) condemns forced cremation of deceased Sri Lankan Muslim and Christian COVID-19 victims in denial of their burial choice, consent and will of victims’ families in Sri Lanka.

The most recent case of forced cremation was of a 20-day old infant of a Muslim family. The infant died of blood poisoning, multi organ dysfunction and COVID-19 pneumonia on 9th December according to official hospital reports. The family was denied the right to a second antigen test and was further denied the right to claim the body. Hospital authorities then proceeded with the cremation of the 20-day old infant against the consent of the parents.

The Center expresses its deep regret for the clear on-going violations of human rights. While the pandemic has brought new challenges, it does not under any circumstance allow those in power to undermine the rights of its citizens, let alone deliberately disregarding and preventing burial rituals of religious minorities in response to the crisis; despite the World Health Organization’s guidelines clearly allowing for burial of COVID-19 victims and there being currently no evidence of viral transmission through burial.

The Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue calls upon those in power to stand by human rights during this testing time and to alleviate the fears of its minority population. We urge to reconsider the position on COVID-19 burial policy in a move to be inclusive and respect the religious sensibilities of minorities. DICID stands by the fundamental right of choice for every human being and the right of dignity, in life and in death. Aggravating the vulnerabilities during this pandemic by hurting the sentiments of religious minorities will only provoke disunity and prove to be an impediment to progress in the long run. The Center stresses that the pandemic should not be used to tear communities apart, but should instead bring different communities together in cooperation, empathy, love for one another and tolerance.