Dear friends,
It has come to the attention of the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) that yet another instance of child torture has been committed within a Sri Lankan police station. Two boys, 14 and 15 years of age were brutally assaulted by officers from the Ambalangoda police station. The officers initially arrested the boys for allegedly stealing a gold chain, and later threatened the boys parents with prosecution if they did not pay them Rs. 3000.
Not only are these police officers in violation of domestic and international law by committing an act of torture against innocent children, but they are also undermining principles of justice by demanding bribes from citizens whom they are meant to be protecting. Your urgent action is necessary to urge the Sri Lankan Government to prosecute the responsible officers and give compensation to the victims.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
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Case details:
Victims: 1. L.A.Pradeep Kumara, 14 years old, resident of no. 59 Awasawatte, Andadola,Watugedera
2. Lakmal Chathuranga, 15 years old, resident of no. 62 Awasawatte, Andadola,Watugedera
Perpetrators: Head Quarters Inspector (HQI) and five officers attached to the Ambalangoda Police station
On 7 August 2004 at about 10:30pm, police officers attached to the Ambalangoda Police station in civilian clothes arrested the above two children alleging that they had stolen a gold chain.
The police took the two children to the Ambalangoda Police station without their mothers according to the law, minors should be accompanied by their parents when taken into custody.
At the police station the two children were stripped naked, blind folded and then brutally assaulted with wooden poles. Meanwhile the police threatened the parents that if they did not pay Rs.3000 the police would prosecute the two children and remand them for 14 days.
The parents of both children without any alternative agreed to pay the ransom. According to them they had to sign a statement that was written by the police. After that the police released the two boys on 9 August 2004. They were both severely bruised and suffering from contusions and depression. Their parents took them to the Balapitiya Government hospital where they were admitted and are presently receiving treatment in ward no.1.
This case is another innumerable instance of torture committed by the Sri Lankan police. Not only are the police violating domestic and international law by committing torture, they are further violating human rights principles by assaulting children. Having ratified both the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Sri Lankan Government must seriously take up its international obligations and ensure that its citizens rights are fully protected. AHRC urges that immediate steps are taken to provide adequate medical and psychological treatment to the victims and that the boys and their families are given protection. Also, legal and disciplinary action must be taken against the HQI and police officers who are responsible for the illegal and inhuman act.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please send a letter, fax or email to the following addresses expressing your concern at this case.
- Prof. Harendra De Silva
National Child Rights Authority
330, Thalawathgoda Road
Madiwella
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 778912/13/14
Fax: +94 11 2 778975
E-mail: ncpa@childprotection.gov.lk
2. Mr. K. C. Kamalasabesan
Attorney General
Attorney General’s Department
Colombo 12
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 436 421
Email: attorney@sri.lanka.net or counsel@sri.lanka.net
- Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy
Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka
No. 36, Kynsey Road, Colombo 8
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 694 925 / 673 806
Fax: +94 11 2 694 924 / 696 470
E-mail: sechrc@sltnet.lk
- Mr. Ranjith Abeysuriya PC
Chairman National Police Commission
69-1 Ward Place, Colombo 7
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 669 128 / 691 926
Fax HOME: +94 11 2 674148
E-mail: polcom@sltnet.lk
-
Inspector General of Police (IGP)
New Secretariat
Colombo 1,
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 381394/ 446174
- 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
- Committee on the Rights of the Child
c/o OHCHR ¨C UNOG, Palais Wilson,
1211 Geneva 10, SWITZERLAND
Fax: + 41 22 917 9022
E-mail:tb-petitions@ohchr.org
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear
RE: Ambalangoda police release tortured children after parents pay Rs. 3000
Victims: 1. L.A.Pradeep Kumara, 14 years old, resident of no. 59 Awasawatte, Andadola, Watugedera
2. Lakmal Chathuranga, 15 years old, resident of no. 62 Awasawatte, Andadola, Watugedera
Perpetrators: Head Quarters Inspector (HQI) and five officers attached to the Ambalangoda Police station
On 7 August 2004 at about 10:30pm, police officers attached to the Ambalangoda Police station in civilian clothes arrested the above two children alleging that they had stolen a gold chain.
The police took the two children to the Ambalangoda Police station without their mothers according to the law, minors should be accompanied by their parents when taken into custody.
At the police station the two children were stripped naked, blind folded and then brutally assaulted with wooden poles. Meanwhile the police threatened the parents that if they did not pay Rs.3000 the police would prosecute the two children and remand them for 14 days. Without any other alternative, the parents agreed to pay, and the two boys were released on August 9.
They were both severely bruised and suffering from contusions and depression. Their parents took them to the Balapitiya Government hospital where they were admitted and are presently receiving treatment in ward no.1.
This case is yet another instance of torture committed by the Sri Lankan police. Not only are the police violating domestic and international law by committing torture, they are further violating human rights principles by assaulting children. Having ratified both the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Sri Lankan Government must seriously take up its international obligations and ensure that its citizens rights are fully protected. I urge you to take immediate steps to provide adequate medical and psychological treatment to the victims and that the boys and their families are given protection. Also, legal and disciplinary action must be taken against the HQI and police officers who are responsible for the illegal and inhuman act.
Yours sincerely,
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Thank you
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
