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People along the Indian Ocean coastline are beginning recovery efforts after a giant tidal wave swept their shores on 26 December 2004. Hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of people, are today very vulnerable. Enormous operations are getting under way in many parts to bring survivors the fresh water, food, clothing and medical supplies they need, […]
As Sri Lanka attempts to deal with the aftermath of the tsunami, the critical issue in the minds of everyone who wants to help, within the country and outside, is the function of the State as protector of its people. Questions such as could the State have contributed to some form of an early warning […]
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) shares the grief of those faced with one of the worst natural catastrophes of recent times by way of the tsunamis that devastated several countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, the Maldives, Myanmar and Malaysia, and calls upon everyone to contribute in all possible ways to help […]
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) shares the concerns expressed by the Secretary General of the United Nations in his statement on the human rights situation in Nepal. Time and again the AHRC has stressed that regional governments such as India, international governments and bodies such as European Union, national political parties and the King […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 24, 2004 AS-68-2004 A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission The initial arrest in torture victim Gerald Parera’s murder case The initial arrest in Gerald Parera’s murder case confirms the analysis made by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) when the AHRC came to know that Gerald was shot in […]
According to the latest news, the National Police Commission (NPC) of Sri Lanka has received documentation based upon sources in the ministry of defence on 22 police officers allegedly having close links to underworld leaders and drug dealers. The officers include one senior deputy inspector general, two deputy inspector generals, two assistant superintendents of police, […]
Gerald Perera was shot one month ago in broad daylight, while traveling to work in a bus. This was an event that received maximum publicity in all media. The nation was shocked that the victim of one of the most well known torture cases decided by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, was shot just […]
The immense killing and insecurity tearing Nepal apart are no longer a secret. War-torn Nepalese are fleeing daily to save themselves from atrocities committed by the state security forces and Maoist militia. If no action is taken, Nepal will be plunged into the most horrific humanitarian catastrophe that Asia has perhaps ever seen. Thousands have […]
Signs of recent days are that the government-appointed inquiry into the October 25 mass killing in southern Thailand is about to end with a whitewash. Worrying reports suggest it is likely to conclude that the killing of at least 85 persons in Narathiwat was accidental, and something that everybody should just understand and forget about. […]
On the 21 November 2004, Gerald Mervin Perera, victim of a well-known torture case was shot as he was travelling to work in a bus in the early hours of the morning. In his pocket was the summons issued by the High Court of Negombo, summoning him to give evidence in a torture case against […]
Around two hundred Nepalese are now have been witnessed to be crossing the border into India every hour, escaping the atrocities of both government and Maoist troops. Clearly, the violence in Nepal is intensifying. Recent reports speak of highly deliberate and aggressive strategies on both sides to harass and intimidate civilians. Others reveal deeply worrying […]
It emerged over the weekend that there had been some kind of deal to keep a former Sri Lankan government minister out of jail on contempt of court charges, but it fell through. Reaction to the jailing of S B Dissanayake for two years on December 7 concentrated on the fact that this deal had […]
As we commemorate International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2004, the state of human rights in most countries of Asia is very bleak. Without serious efforts to defend these principles, life in a great many parts of the region will rapidly grow dramatically worse. The major threat to human rights in the region has […]
It has now been eighteen days since the shooting of Gerald Perera in broad daylight, while he was travelling to work on a bus. Gerald died three days later, on November 24th, from the injuries that he had sustained during this attack. Although the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is now enquiring into the case […]
There is much evidence that shows that in Sri Lanka, which already suffers from the endemic use of torture, the authorities are failing to take steps to eliminate this abhorrent practice, in line with the countys obligations to its people and under international law. Instead, the authorities are taking measures that will facilitate the use […]
The proposal now being discussed within the government of Thailand to introduce a national security law allowing prolonged detention without judicial recourse is an invitation for national disaster. Such a law would only exacerbate the already volatile security situation in the country, while at the same time violating the principles underpinning the constitution of Thailand […]
The assassination of the High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya took place on the 19th of November. To date, no one has owned up to the responsibility for the failure to provide security to the Judge, who held senior position in the judiciary. In any democracy or in any country that respects the rule of law, […]
Several newspapers reported on 29 November 2004 that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka has taken a stand to instruct lawyers not to appear for those persons accused of the murder of a Colombo High Court judge. Its president, Ikram Mohamed, is reported to have said that although every suspect has the right to retain […]
In romantic notions where they world is divided between good guys and bad guys, the underworld is responsible for crimes, and the police are responsible for fighting back. A black world of criminals is pitted against a force of white angels. This notion of crime, brought to us through popular magazines and film, does not […]
It is now five days since the shooting of Gerald Mervin Perera, who died yesterday, November 24. However, as yet there have been no arrests. Nor have there been any reports of progress in investigations. In fact, there do not appear to be any serious inquiries at all. As Gerald Perera was due to stand […]
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