AI urges the Govt. to appoint independent NHRC and provide enough resources

The AI also criticised Sri Lanka authorities of failing to introduce a witness protections mechanism, an impediment to credibly probe rights violations.

In the annual report, the AI accuses Sri Lanka’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) losing credibility “due to the political appointment” of Commissioners.

The AI calls on the authorities to appoint an independent NHRC and provide enough resources to the body that was downgraded by an international forum in December, last year.

More than 400 of those arrested, including 50 women, were taken to the Boosa Camp near Galle in the south, a facility reputed to be overcrowded, and lacking proper sanitation facilities and adequate drinking water AI report on arbitrary detention

The watchdog recalls that the investigation into killing of two Sri Lanka Red Cross volunteers has been stalled despite repeated pledges by the government.

As the military engage with the Tamil Tigers in the north, both the government and the LTTE are accused of failing to protect civilians caught in conflict.

“Civilians in the north and east faced immense hardship with a significant number being killed in indiscriminate raids. Lack of transport links to Jaffna Peninsula affected food supplies to over 500,000 people there,” the AI annual report said.

The rights watchdog reminds that the UNHCR criticised the government for failing to properly record, investigate and prosecute cases of abductions, disappearances and killings.

Child recruitment

Both the LTTE and the political party turned paramilitary group, Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) are accused of continuing with child recruitment.

“The UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict identified the LTTE as “a repeat offender who has been on the Secretary General’s list of violators for four years””, the report added.

TMVP led by CM Pillayan and the LTTE are still holding nearly 500 child soldiers, according to UNICEF

285 children recruited by the LTTE and 195 recruited by the TMVP currently known as Pillayan group are yet to be released, the AI said quoting from UNICEF figures.

The Pillayan group is led by newly appointed Chief Minister of the eastern province, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan known as Pillayan.

Freedom of expression

Arrests and arbitrary detention of the civilians, majority of them Tamils, by the Sri Lanka police continues, says AI.

“More than 400 of those arrested, including 50 women, were taken to the Boosa Camp near Galle in the south, a facility reputed to be overcrowded, and lacking proper sanitation facilities and adequate drinking water,” the report added.

The authorities failed to effectively investigate or prosecute those responsible for such unlawful killings AI on killings of journalists

The human rights watchdog says the freedom of expression is also seriously in danger in the island nation.

Young journalists Selvaraja Rajivaram and Sahathevan Deluxshan were shot dead in Jaffna during the last year.

“The authorities failed to effectively investigate or prosecute those responsible for such unlawful killings,” AI said.

Arresting journalists from all communities and removing the personal security provided to Sunday Times columnist Iqbal Athas are cited as clear indications of threats to freedom of expression.