The plea of a distressed brother

26 June 2013 05:19 am - 2 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Brother of the British national murdered in Sri Lanka in December 2011 writes a personal account of the sting of delayed justice.

Eighteen months have now passed since my brother Khuram Shaikh aged 32 was brutally murdered and his partner Victoria sexually assaulted in Sri Lanka and despite a lengthy investigation, no charges have been brought and there’s no sign of a trial starting.

"It remains perfectly clear that these are tactical delays so as to keep the case out of the public eye whilst protecting those linked to the murder. After all, 8 suspects including a politician from the ruling party have been released on bail without charge "

The last 18 months have been nothing but heartache, turmoil and sadness for our family. Losing a young family member in such a horrific way was unthinkable, unimaginable and now indescribable. Khuram shared the important values of peace and harmony and was a great advocate of strength, courage and resilience when he aimed to bring normalcy to patients’ lives with the support of prosthetic limb components. He brought hope to those who needed it the most. Working in some of the most difficult countries around the world his humanitarian outlook to life made him a special person. His vision and forward thinking brought the opportunity to develop a rehabilitation programme for his patients in Gaza City - a gap he identified, a passion he shared, a commitment he inspired. Promoting longevity, Khuram truly did build a service for the future of Gaza and remains a key milestone for the team he left behind. His legacy continues.

"No one here can understand why it has taken so long and why those guilty of this terrible crime haven’t been brought to justice. While a trial will not help my parents grieving it will certainly go a long way to help their healing process"

Each day I watch my parents going to the cemetery, it brings nothing but tears knowing this is now their life and one cannot help but fear for them and there well being. They are lost and cannot find peace. Being so far away from Sri Lanka, no one here can understand why it has taken so long and why those guilty of this terrible crime haven’t been brought to justice. While a trial will not help my parents grieving it will certainly go a long way to help their healing process.

I have been given many assurances by senior officials within the government including the President that a swift trial would take place and the country would bring accountability to those who committed such an awful act. I’m starting to think that these have been nothing but empty words with little if any substance and it remains perfectly clear that these are tactical delays so as to keep the case out of the public eye whilst protecting those linked to the murder. After all, 8 suspects including a politician from the ruling party have been released on bail without charge - totally unacceptable! Khuram has been murdered yet, those responsible are walking free. There seems no urgency to convict. Having read many articles in Sri Lanka on violence, crime and disorder, it seems political thuggery and impunity is widespread, and normal Sri Lankans, as well as foreign tourists, suffer from this. This was the public view I was given firsthand during my last visit to Sri Lanka which brings the alarming truth that rule of law clearly does not apply to everyone.

Whilst the judicial system in Sri Lanka remains slow it seems ludicrous and disgraceful that a case of such severity cannot be fast tracked especially when it has been voiced by many that witness statements and forensic details are so substantial that charges are all but a formality.

The ‘Justice for Khuram Shaikh’ campaign remains a clear focus for the family and to promote our fight for justice a group of 25 family and friends participated in the Manchester 10k run with a clear goal - to raise awareness. Wearing personalised T-shirts, we had many people asking and talking about the case during the day and the opportunity to make a speech on the guest microphone at the end of the race was the perfect way to reach the wider audience. You can join us in our fight for justice by joining our Facebook campaign - ‘Justice for Khuram Shaikh’

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Comments - 2

Mongal Wednesday, 26 June 2013 09:54 AM

Please send a copy of this article to Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Suda Wednesday, 26 June 2013 10:07 AM

I can't understand why the British High Commission / British government doesn't actively do something on this. Otherwise our leaders will easily kill the time(Since they want to protect their political thugs) until all the memories go away from all of us & whole world.

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The plea of a distressed brother

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