Don’t allow army to probe-Amnesty

6 August 2013 10:22 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 6 Bookmark

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The Sri Lankan authorities must not allow the army to investigate itself over allegations of excessive use of force by its members after three protesters demonstrating over access to drinking water were killed over the weekend, Amnesty International said.

“The Sri Lankan army should have never been policing unarmed demonstrators in the first place, and having them investigate their own alleged abuses is simply ridiculous,” said Polly Truscott, Asia Deputy Director at Amnesty International.

“Sri Lankan authorities must urgently initiate an effective investigation into this tragic incident. The investigation must be independent, impartial and conducted with the professionalism, resources and powers necessary to unearth the truth about this incident. The army cannot be seen to investigate itself. Anything less will send the message that using excessive force against protesters is permitted.”

Sri Lanka is legally bound by international human rights treaties to respect and protect the right to life, and provide effective remedy when this right is violated.

Protests began last week as thousands of Weliweriya residents in western Sri Lanka complained about the contamination of their source of drinkable water from a factory nearby.

According to media reports, Akila Dinesh, 17, died after in a local hospital soon after the first clashes on Thursday and Ravishan Perera, 19, died on Saturday. An unnamed 29-year-old man, died at the Colombo National Hospital on Sunday.

Comments - 6

Justice Tuesday, 06 August 2013 11:04 AM

Judge, Jury and the saviour of abuses

1 5

Cobra Wednesday, 07 August 2013 01:07 AM

Quite right or else they will say that the kids shot themselves with water pistols sans water but bullets!!!!

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raj Wednesday, 07 August 2013 04:32 AM

Or the Army personnel don't recall what happened, as they have lost their memory?

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Malin Wednesday, 07 August 2013 06:27 AM

Why not get Amnesty International to probe as they are NOT impartial and DOES NOt conduct with the professionalism, HAVE resources and powers received as santhosam from LTTE.

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Chipmunk Wednesday, 07 August 2013 06:35 AM

Amnesty international go wash dirty linen elsewhere.

2 0

Rohan Amarasinha Wednesday, 07 August 2013 09:48 AM

Amenesty International should for a change mind their own bloody business - or perhaps they should direct their absurd remarks to start with to the US and UK regimes.

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