Dear friends
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received the information that the torture victim, Chamila Bandara (17 years old) and his mother have fled their home after being severely threatened by the alleged perpetrators. Also, there was an attack against victim’s mother by a man, who was believed to be instigated by the perpetrators. Chamila Bandara has lost the use of his left arm permanently after he was illegally arrested and severely tortured by the Officer-in-Charge and the other officers of Angkumbura Police Station. Your urgent action is required to pressure the local authorities to immediately intervene in this case in order to ensure the security of the victim and his mother.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
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UPDATED INFORMATION:
The victim, Chamila Bandara, has lost the use of his left arm permanently after he was illegally arrested and severely tortured from 20 July to 28 July, at the Ankumbura police station. (Refer to our previous urgent appeals regarding this case: UA-39-2003; UP-31-2003) He had been hospitalized for a long time and he is still undergoing treatment, even though he has been discharged from hospital.
However, the victim has gone into hiding as the infuriated perpetrators have been searching for him and attempted to harm his family after the victim’s family made complaints to the Sri Lankan authorities. There is information that a person who was believed to be instigated by the alleged tried to attack the victim’s mother with broken bottles a few days ago. A human rights NGO is taking care of the victim.
The victim’s family made complaints against alleged perpetrators to the Sri Lankan authorities and the Supreme Court has granted leave to proceed with his application related to the violation of his fundamental rights. Meanwhile, a special unit of inquiry is conducting investigations into his case. The case also has received enormous publicity locally, and a complaint has been made to the UN Special Rapporteur on Question of Torture and the other international bodies.
The alleged perpetrators, who were angry about these actions against them, even used local criminals to intimidate the victim and his family. The victim’s mother has been threatened many times directly by the police and by some people who were believed to be under the instigation of the alleged perpetrators. After being attacked by an unknown person, the mother left the village, and is staying with her parents worrying her security.
The victim’s family has learnt that the OIC and other perpetrators attempted to fabricate the case by forcing some boys to testify that the victim’s injury caused by a fall. They had to do it out of fear and several of them have already gone back on the statements taken under duress. Meantime, the officer in charge, who was accused as the chief perpetrator of the torture against the victim, is still working at the Angkumbura police station.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please send a letter, fax or e-mail to the addresses below and urge the Sri Lanka authorities to take speedy action to ensure the security of the victim and his family.
1 Hon. Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe
Prime Minister
Cambridge Place, Colombo 7
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 1 2 682905
E-mail: secpm@sltnet.lk or bradmanw@slt.lk
2. Hon. Mr. K. C. Kamalasabesan
Attorney General
Attorney General’s Department
Colombo 12
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 1 2 436 421
Email: attorney@sri.lanka.net or counsel@sri.lanka.net
3. Mr. Ranjith Abeysuriya PC
Chairman National Police Commission
69-1 Ward Place, Colombo 7
Sri Lanka
Fax: +94 1 2 691 926
Fax HOME: +941 2 674148
4. National Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka
No. 36, Kynsey Road, Colombo 8
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 1 2 694 925 / 673 806
Fax: +94 1 2 694 924
E-mail: sechrc@sltnet.lk
5. Mr. Theo C. van Boven
Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Fax: +41 22 917-9016
E-mail: secrt.hchr@unog.ch
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear
Re: The security of the torture victim and his Mother is severely threatened by the perpetrators and the alleged perpetrator is still holding his post
I am writing to ask your urgent action to ensure the security of the torture victim, Chamila Bandara (17 years old), and her mother. Their security is severely threatened by the perpetrators now.
I have learned that Chamila Bandara and his mother have fled their home after being severely threatened by the alleged perpetrators. Also, a man, who was believed to be instigated by the perpetrators, attacked the victim's mother a few days ago.
The victim, Chamila Bandara, has lost the use of his left arm permanently after he was severely tortured by the Officer-in-Charge and the other officers from 20 July to 28 July, at the Ankumbura police station. Currently, the victim has gone into hiding as the infuriated perpetrators have been searching for him and attempted to harm his family after the victim's family made complaints to the Sri Lankan authorities. Allegedly, the alleged perpetrators even used local criminals to intimidate the victim and his family. Moreover, the OIC and other perpetrators tried to fabricate the case by forcing some boys to testify that the victim's injury caused by a fall. The officer in charge, who was accused as the chief perpetrator of the torture against the victim, is still working at the same police station.
I urge you to take strong and speedy action to protect the victim and his family. I also urge you to transfer the OIC and the other police officers away from the police station until disciplinary action is taken against them. I urge again you to prosecute the perpetrators and bring them to justice as soon as possible.
Sincerely yours,
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Thank you.
Kim Soo A
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
