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UN torture report a wakeup call to SL Govt.: Sooka

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27 January 2017 01:09 pm - 20     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A UN report which was published yesterday describing a ‘culture of torture’ in Sri Lanka is a wakeup call to President Maithripala Sirisena’s Government to comply with its obligations under international law and to the international community to put torture prevention at the core of its engagement with the new Government, the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) yesterday said.

The UN report by Special Rapporteur Juan Mendez was published yesterday following his mission to Sri Lanka last year as UN Special Rapporteur on torture.

The Special Rapporteur said he received credible reports to show “white van abductions” have taken place under the Sirisena government in 2015 and 2016.

ITJP’s executive director Yasmin Sooka said this ‘devastating’ report rightly calls for an office which is independent of the Attorney General’s office to investigate and prosecute allegations of torture in Sri Lanka.

“We have already offered to assist both the Foreign Minister and the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission in identifying international experts to help set up such an investigative team. If they are serious about justice this should have been done two years ago,” she said.

Ms. Sooka said there has been a deep seated reluctance to accept the evidence on the on-going violations but without security sector reform these sorts of violations will inevitably continue.

“Denying the evidence of ongoing abductions because they are politically inconvenient is an unforgivable affront to the scores of victims whose cases have been painstakingly documented by ITJP, our medical colleagues and other human rights groups,” she said.

The report says Sri Lanka’s progress in implementing UN Resolution 30/1 has been slow and transitional justice paralyzed. It stresses the need for a participatory process that earns the trust of victims, including those living outside the country.

“The prevention of ongoing abduction, torture and sexual violence – including the rape of young men – must be the focus of the transitional justice process in Sri Lanka. Two years on there’s been no structural reform to tackle systemic failures of the justice machinery,” said Ms. Sooka.


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  Comments - 20

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  • Milla Friday, 27 January 2017 03:53 PM

    U.N a club where the western powers decide what has to be said by puppets like you . Now that President Trump has decided not to fund the UN. you will die a natural death .

    kumar Friday, 27 January 2017 07:38 PM

    What about White Genocide in South Africa? She never reports that.

    Ravi Friday, 27 January 2017 06:23 PM

    Mass murderers must be punished.

    Sheri Friday, 27 January 2017 05:57 PM

    Report on what your country is doing - and practise what you preach!

    Public Friday, 27 January 2017 05:28 PM

    Just because it happens in other countries shouldn't mean it should happen here where the Constitution here forbids it.

    sara Friday, 27 January 2017 05:18 PM

    We will never wake up We know how to speak up.

    joe Friday, 27 January 2017 04:24 PM

    Pl; do not forget your country -indonesia has worse torture incidents.pl; settle them first

    BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 27 January 2017 04:03 PM

    At least their is one person in the Sri Lankan population who is truly genuine, patriotic and forward looking unlike a shameless majority who make some of the most stupid comments.

    BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 27 January 2017 04:01 PM

    Water boarding has been admitted by USA. SL is still fumbling to even commence an investigation on war crimes that happened 6 years ago. That's the shame.

    BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 27 January 2017 03:59 PM

    You would not be saying this if the victim was your mother, father, brother or sister. Think twice b4 commenting like a local fool.

    pras1 Friday, 27 January 2017 01:25 PM

    go to hell with this bias report. torture tactics more in USA india Pakistan etc... via DM Android App

    Jagadeesh Friday, 27 January 2017 03:51 PM

    No report on water boarding and urinating on Holy Quran in USA prisons?

    Hassanda Friday, 27 January 2017 03:28 PM

    It's joke by the UN official Ms YasminShould be 2015 JanuaryWhite Van Saga was during the previous regimeY Not target India Daily daylight rapes been taken place in all capitalsOf India and been telecasted in all major news channelsIs Yasmin Sooka blind or is she only torturing Sri Lankan and its people

    Be Fair Friday, 27 January 2017 03:12 PM

    So it seems SL is the worst country for HR Violations as per the UN. Amazing justice this is

    YouYou Friday, 27 January 2017 03:07 PM

    Are you one of those perpetrators? There are excesses of Police in this country. Can you deny that?

    jayaweera Friday, 27 January 2017 02:32 PM

    Recently 5 policemen were given death sentences for having tortured and caused the death of a 16 yr old village boy. There are so many cases of police (and security forces) torture especially of low income status victims.The police can arrest anyone on any whim and fancy, beat that person up and force confessions. This is common in Sri Lanka. I have not read the UN report but torture by the police and security forces is common. Let us accept that and try to change the situation at least for the future generations. The Police Commission, Judicial Services, Human Rights Commission and Media must act on this. This is inhumane and a disgrace to the country.

    lara Friday, 27 January 2017 02:28 PM

    We Sri Lankan are smart enough to understand what exactly mean by " strategic intimidation" . Sirisena is divating from RW now you scare him with these shifts...LOL we are not from Middle East

    u-mofos Friday, 27 January 2017 02:01 PM

    and water boarding by the USA and other criminal acts by the occupying forces in Iraq Iran Afghanistan are ALL legal..your employers... UN and ANY of its branches are all SPINELESS entities...never raised a finger against oppressors..yall keep xk ass of small countries knowing very well they cant hit back at yall..YOUR ENTITIES ARE IRRALAVENT via DM Android App

    SL Friday, 27 January 2017 01:58 PM

    When funded by Water boarding nation,UN has to tell what their masters dictates.UN is a failed organisation

    Ruwan Friday, 27 January 2017 01:46 PM

    This is called yahapala torture report via DM Android App


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