Sooka calls for UN probe on torture by SL security forces

14 November 2016 06:13 pm - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Former member of the UN special panel Yasmin Sooka has said the UN Committee Against Torture (UNCAT) should visit Sri Lanka and conduct an independent investigation into the continued abductions, torture and sexual violence allegedly committed by the security forces, the Indian Express today reported.

Indian-origin Yasmin Sooka is a member of a former UN special panel on Sri Lanka’s war with the LTTE. She heads the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP).

Her call has come ahead of the UNCAT’s meeting in Geneva this week to examine torture in Sri Lanka.

“Torture and abduction are so systematic and entrenched in the DNA of the security forces that even a realignment of political parties in parliament and the new government under President Sirisena are not able to stop these crimes.

“It requires political will and a commitment on the part of the Government of Sri Lanka to carry out a comprehensive security sector reform programme which is sadly missing in Sri Lanka,” Sooka said in a statement.

She was one of three in the panel appointed by the former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to advise him on the alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka during the last phase of the war with the LTTE which ended in 2009.

Her International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) has collected testimony from 36 Tamil victims in three European countries, who have suffered abduction, illegal detention, torture or sexual violence at the hands of intelligence and security officers under the present Sri Lanka government.

“In 10 of these cases the victims have already been granted asylum, meaning their cases have already been found credible by foreign governments,” she said.

“Overall ITJP has more than two hundred statements from Sri Lankan victims of alleged war crimes and post-war torture and sexual violence who have fled the country. The orgnisation has also begun to identify some alleged perpetrators,” Sooka said.

“I want the outside world to know that torture is still happening in Sri Lanka and the torture that I suffered,” the news article said quoting a young Tamil woman allegedly abducted in a ‘white van’ and gang raped this year in illegal detention in the North.

“The international community, including the UN is under an obligation to ensure that the Government of Sri Lanka honours its commitments made in the Human Rights Council in regard to the transitional justice programme in Sri Lanka.

“Overlooking the ongoing violations is not doing either the Government of Sri Lanka a favour or the victims, whose suffering should not be swept under the carpet just because of political expediency,” Sooka added. (The Indian Express)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 20

sach Tuesday, 15 November 2016 08:58 AM

Sooka is under payroll by LTTE. it has been established. why does not SL protest against her?

damian05 Tuesday, 15 November 2016 11:13 PM

First investigate Agfan, Iraq, Syria ......before harping on SL or why not rape in India ?????

Sheri Tuesday, 15 November 2016 11:05 AM

Why are these people always biased - listening to one side of the story only? Of course the answer is: paid by tamil diaspora!

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 15 November 2016 10:20 AM

And your singing to cover up the cowardly crimes committed on humanity.

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 15 November 2016 10:14 AM

You are talking about atrocities that have been reported and recorded and never denied by USA. However, in SL the atrocities are not allowed to be investigated and continuously denied. If such atrocities did not happen, why are we cowards to not allow and independent investigation and clear are "good" name???

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 15 November 2016 10:11 AM

The more you hide the truth, it will re-emerge after some time. Truth will always surface one day.

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 15 November 2016 10:04 AM

Can you list such crimes? Can you also state the white vans they used for this purpose?

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 15 November 2016 10:02 AM

This is all that can be said to cover up ones own criminality and shame.

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 15 November 2016 10:00 AM

Oh realy, then why are your leaders like cowards always denying a impartial independent investigation?

DillonDP Tuesday, 15 November 2016 09:29 AM

Come to Sri Lanka with your lawyers and Judges we are not afraid, we have not violated any human rights at all.

mm Monday, 14 November 2016 07:39 PM

Sri Lanka will can never reconcile because diaspora prefer trouble. they will always dig old wounds for their pathetic advantage. someone should send all of them to India to rot via DM iOS App

Lakshman De Silva Tuesday, 15 November 2016 08:57 AM

What abouit vast and grave war crimes committed by USA and the torture of thousands in world wide CIA prisons ?Obviously the UN is an acolyte of the USA

kevin Tuesday, 15 November 2016 08:56 AM

why dont you go and put these restrictions in India? It reports millions of rapes and scandals

sanath Tuesday, 15 November 2016 08:51 AM

we need a strong leader to over come this issues. if this go on like , sri lankans will have to regret.

Jude Tuesday, 15 November 2016 08:39 AM

Ms.Sooka, please tell what is happening and happened in Guantanamo Bay and Diego Garcia!!!?? Forget about Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and other places!!!??? Tell me what did UN and It's agencies do about the the world Renowned Torture Camps famous for "Water Boarding" !!! Yeah, let's start from there!!!??

Shiran Fernando Tuesday, 15 November 2016 07:15 AM

The UN is the biggest problem maker. These people who work for the UN have to servive so they want to just create a story for them to be paid.Ms Snooka get back to India and sort out u country of origin issues. Women are being raped by hundreds daily. Why don't u investigate the war crimes committed by the U.S forces in Afghanistan. The UN leaves out the European war crimes but loves to pick on smalll Countries for there survival people like Snooka to have a job. In a war there are no rules. Do the Terrorist in Sril Lanka not attack innocent cevilians?

Tissa Tuesday, 15 November 2016 06:52 AM

All over the world all the police doing this practice You can not builds a just society only by Politicians. In Sri Lanka for the last 40_50 years this unlawfull abuse is going ahead via DM Android App

dd Monday, 14 November 2016 07:57 PM

and politicians.. via DM Android App

SAMJAY Monday, 14 November 2016 07:54 PM

ANOTHER FOOL IS TALKING FOR MONEY.

ari Monday, 14 November 2016 07:40 PM

This woman is singing for her supper. Why does she not focus on Syria and Iraq where thousands are dying daily. Is it because there is no funding for those projects.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Sooka calls for UN probe on torture by SL security forces

Comments - 20

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

Indian cricket manager indicted for Legend Cricket League match-fixing allegations