Email modtaget d. 14.04.97 af Arne Hansen som email-abonnent på
Amnesty-pressemeddelelser.
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Amnesty International
News Service 62/97
AI INDEX: ASA37/10/97
11 APRIL 1997
SRI LANKA: HIGHEST NUMBER OF "DISAPPEARANCES" REPORTED SINCE 1990
The level of "disappearances" in Sri Lanka has hit a new high, Amnesty
International warned as the United Nations Commission on Human Rights
examined the country's human rights record.
Coinciding with the Sri Lankan Government's pledge at the Commission
that "full rigours of the law will be bought to bear" on the perpetrators
of human rights violations, Amnesty International submitted more than 400
cases of "disappearances"to President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
asking her to bring those responsible to justice.
Since the security forces regained control over the Jaffna peninsula
in northern Sri Lanka between late 1995 and early 1996, the total number of
"disappearances" reported to the organization has reached 648 -- the
highest number since 1990.
"That more than 600 "disappearances" can occur in one year despite the
government's claim that it is addressing the problem is outrageous. This
highlights the need for action to be taken now -- to prevent these
violations from continuing," Amnesty International said.
There is a clear pattern of the security forces resorting to
"disappearances" in reprisal for attacks on the security forces by members
by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). In one incident which
occurred on 19 July 1996, the day after the LTTE attacked the Mullaitivu
army camp, at least 40 young men "disappeared" after they were rounded up
by army personnel in Kaithady, and surrounding villages in the
Thennamarachchi Division. They were allegedly taken to Navatkuli army camp
but when relatives went to make inquiries, they were not given any
information. Amnesty International fears that they may have been massacred.
Others "disappeared" after they were taken into custody during
round-up operations. One case reported was from Ayam Madduvil North,
Chavakachcheri on 19 April 1996. On that day, the army took away dozens of
young men who were among scores of civilians who had taken refuge at
Madduvil Amman temple, as instructed by the security forces at the start of
the military operation code-named "Riviresa 2". At least 20 of them have
never been seen since by their relatives.
The United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary
Disappearances (UNWGEID) reports that in 1990 it received 4,774 complaints
from Sri Lanka. By 1991, this figure had gone down to 410 and had further
declined since. During 1995, 36 cases had been reported. Even at this
level, this represents one of the highest rates in the world.
"The situation is reminiscent of the mid-1980s," Amnesty International
said. "Between 1983 and mid-1987, we recorded 860 "disappearances" in the
area, nearly all of whom are still unaccounted for. Now we have 600 in one
year."
Amnesty International is calling on the president to allow
international and national observers, including the UNWGEID, to visit
Jaffna and assist the government in enforcing measures to bring an end to
"disappearances".
"While the government has taken some measures to bring an end to
"disappearances", torture and other human rights violations, there is
obviously a need for more vigorous action," Amnesty International said.
"The government should start by amending the Prevention of Terrorism
Act and Emergency Regulations which provide a context for these violations
to occur. And it should come down heavily on members of the security forces
responsible for such actions."
ENDS\
</PLAINTEXT><HR><BR>
Amnesty-rapporten handler mest om forholdene i nord, hvor menneskerettighedssituationen er
værst. Men ifølge en rapport fra d. 17.12.96 af dr. Karunyan Arul (og som er vedlagt til de der
måske ikke har modtaget den tidligere) så vil en udvist person fra Danmark enten blive sendt
til de “rensede områder” på fronten i nord eller sendt til fangelejre: “Thus , a repatriated
person from Denmark would either be sent to the cleared areas in the north and east or be
sennt to a detention camp” og senere:” The essence of all these regulations is that every tamil
is followed very closely in Colombo, and inabsence a specific purpose, the tamil is arrested or
sent out of Colombo.”<BR>
<BR>
Vi er blevet henvist til dr Karunyan Arul som en vidende og troværdig kilde af Folkekirkens
Nødhjælps Asienkontor.
<BR>
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