SRI LANKA: Stop military tribunals -- respect due process -- stop IGP from undermining the rule of law -- ensure credible inquiries into all allegations of human rights abuse

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 11, 2010 -- In recent weeks the government of Sri Lanka has engaged in alarming attempts to repress the avenues of the political participation of the opposition and the entire population in general.

One of the most popular politicians to emerge in recent times, the former military commander General Sarath Fonseka, was arrested by the military and is currently detained in the custody of the navy. The case is being pursued in military courts, thus avoiding the country’s ordinary courts and depriving him of due process. This is also depriving the public of information on his case. There are alarming developments taking place:

The government uses goon squads assisted by the police to attack the protestors against this arrest, who demand restoration of democracy and the release of the detained political leader;

New regulations are published in gazettes about expanding the detention facilities in military camps and other places with the view to hold large numbers of detainees. This is perceived as a preparation for the large-scale arrest of opposition leaders and supporters during the period of the parliamentary elections;

A large number of opposition supporters during the last presidential election are being detained under emergency and public security laws and are deprived of the protection available under the normal legal procedures in Sri Lanka;

A heavy media campaign is being carried out to create the impression that the opposition planned violence and killings if they won the last elections. This is perceived as an attempt to create justification for the government’s own repression of the media and the opposition; and

One journalist has disappeared, another editor is detained under national security laws, the media is threatened and the police fail to conduct inquiries into allegations of these harassments.

The overall situation created under these circumstances is one of intimidation and political tension. The Secretary General of the United Nations has made a request to avoid further tensions in the country. However, there does not seem to be any positive response on the part of the government to this request.

What is most disturbing is the failure of the Inspector General of Police and the Police Department to carry out their duty in receiving complaints and investigating into all allegations. Throughout the country, the police turn a blind eye to the harassment of the opposition by government supporters.

As has been seen in the demonstrations in Colombo, Galle, Umpara and Kandy, the police gave cover to goon squads and used the presence of the goon squads as a pretext to attack the peaceful protestors and use tear gas to disperse them.

Please read the full article here: http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2010statements/2409/