Prisoners write to the Pope

29 June 2010 02:42 pm - 28 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By N Parameshwaran

Tamil political prisoners detained for months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) have written to the Pope and the Catholic Bishops in Sri Lanka seeking their intervention for a Presidential pardon or to be released on bail.

In the letter addressed to Pope Benedict XVI and Catholic Bishops in Sri Lanka, a copy of which was obtained by Daily Mirror online, the Tamil political prisoners said that despite it being one year since the war was over the authorities have failed to address their concerns.

The letter claims that several hundred political prisoners remain behind bars at prisons around the island and among the prisoners are women with children, elders and youth. The prisoners say they want to live in freedom and peacefully in this country like any other citizen.

The Tamil political prisoners claim that repeated requests to President Mahinda Rajapaksa himself for justice has gone unheard and urged the Pope to intervene on their behalf. (Daily Mirror online)

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Comments - 28

Wasantha Wednesday, 30 June 2010 04:33 AM

That is what the EU also propsed. We should accelerate the litigation process and either put them in the jail or released. I do not know why we can't do that. Everyone has the right to live free of harrasment. Unless we change,so called ill treatment from the international community will remain unchanged.

Sicillian Wednesday, 30 June 2010 07:00 AM

Dear Powerless you are powerless. People like you ruin this country.

desa Wednesday, 30 June 2010 06:08 AM

the issue at hand is that hundreds of people are in jail without proper trials. They might be terrorists but it has to be proven in court. Whether they write to the pope or sai baba is not the issue. They can write to whoever they want till they are proven guilty.

Wisdom Wednesday, 30 June 2010 05:34 AM

IF ALL PEOPLE HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS THEN THE IMPERIAL POWERS INCLUDING THE VATICAN WOULD NOT HAVE RESORTED TO PILLAGE AND PLUNDER IN THE PAST.

SRI LANKA MUST BE ON ITS GUARD AT LEAST NOW!

anura Wednesday, 30 June 2010 05:32 AM

Nobody is above the law of the land

Ind Wednesday, 30 June 2010 05:07 AM

Yes it was a prison before May, 2009.

Ind Wednesday, 30 June 2010 05:06 AM

If everybody follow their relegions, World will be a nice place. But no use asking only Buddhists to follow what Lord Buddha say.

messenger Wednesday, 30 June 2010 04:54 AM

stop arguing about religions. if there is a prisoner he should be inquired and punished or released. without inquiries they have been kept.

if the government is not taking the right action those people have to appeal out side. not that the pope will help at least other countries will get to know how we work.

ajith Wednesday, 30 June 2010 04:48 AM

Write to Kofi Annan and his UN clan for mercy.

ravi raj Wednesday, 30 June 2010 04:44 AM

The power of the pope can be seen when you travel to developed countries particularly in europe. But for Sri Lankens, Sri Lanka is the most powerful country. Popes in the past have been involved in number of critical political senarios justifing their status. The world knows him as the most powerful non political leader. in sri lanka some religious leaders are just politicians.

roshan Wednesday, 30 June 2010 04:40 AM

Yes Lanka is a Buddhist country but how many live like Buddhists? Say anthing about the Pope but do not involve Christ.....please do not blasphemy other religions. If you are a Buddhist, live like one.

Powerless Tuesday, 29 June 2010 03:27 PM

Lanka is a Budhist country. Pope or even the christ cannot do anything.

Isuru Wednesday, 30 June 2010 04:19 AM

why pope?

Isuru Wednesday, 30 June 2010 04:18 AM

Do you follow what your religion says?

Dinesh Wednesday, 30 June 2010 04:13 AM

How about human rights in the soverign nation. All people should have equal rights then.

Roshan Wednesday, 30 June 2010 03:55 AM

That means, you wanted them to write to countries like China, Thailand and Burma?

Godson Wednesday, 30 June 2010 12:00 AM

These people are not 'political prisoners' but suspected terrorists. Will the CIA allow their 'terror' suspects to write the Pope?

Wisdom Tuesday, 29 June 2010 09:43 PM

These kinds of appeals, to a foreign power, should be discouraged at all costs, if Sri Lanka is to remain a SOVEREIGN nation!

JAMES Tuesday, 29 June 2010 09:03 PM

Prisoners, please write to Mr. Moon. He may
establish another 'panel of experts' to address your grievances.

KD Tuesday, 29 June 2010 08:53 PM

The Pope has his own issues, in his institution!

Citizen Tuesday, 29 June 2010 07:30 PM

The poor always remain behind bars. ... Wanni is an 'open prison'; why not transfer them there?

rosh Tuesday, 29 June 2010 06:58 PM

God is so busy these days with issues regarding abuse!

CSP Tuesday, 29 June 2010 06:39 PM

It could be a very long process if the Pope were to intervene.

Calistus Jayatilleke Tuesday, 29 June 2010 04:05 PM

But GOD can !

Kavitha Tuesday, 29 June 2010 04:03 PM

Please follow what Buddha has preached..!!

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Prisoners write to the Pope

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