Police negligence

SRI LANKA: Young Tamil complainant in a bribery case against a police officer faces attempts on his life and is in hiding

Devarathnam Yogendra ( 28 ) is the complainant in a bribery case against IP Wijesuriya of the Hatton Police Station, who has been indicted on a charge of obtaining bribes. This charge has been filed on the basis of a complaint made by Yogendra on November 6, 2010 and it is alleged that the police […]

SRI LANKA: Police torture as an indicator of the constitutional degradation of the Rule of Law

Sofie Rordam Sri Lankan citizens are protected against torture and arbitrary arrest in sections 11, 12 and 13 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka. In addition Sri Lanka has ratified the United Nations Convention against Torture and Cruel and Inhuman Treatment in 1994. While the legislation is there, the effectuation is not. The gap between […]

SRI LANKA: New Year Wish List – 2011

We hope that wishing for a happy new year in Sri Lanka is not just mere wishful thinking. We wish: 1. That Rizana Nafeek, facing a death sentence in Saudi Arabia, will be released as soon as possible. This wish can become true only if the Sri Lankan government makes all the diplomatic efforts to […]

PHILIPPINES: ‘Communist’ label on an activist is a prelude to murder

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is deeply concerned that Jean Marie Ferraris, a mining activist attached to the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan or LRC, has been falsely accused as “head of the international financial cell” of the Communist Part of the Philippines (CPP) in Indonesia. Falsely accusing human rights and […]

SRI LANKA: Rattota Police refuse to conduct investigation into a child’s abduction

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a 15 year old school going girl was abducted by the driver of a three wheel but later rescued by passers-by. The culprit managed to escape but the rescuers took the three wheeler to the Rattota Police Station where they were also able […]

SRI LANKA: A seven year old child gunned down by Maharagama Police

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a seven-year-old child was gunned down by officers attached to the Maharagama Police at Beruwala town, which is well outside their jurisdiction, on 15 September 2010. The injured child was admitted to the Beruwala Government Hospital and transferred to the General Hospital of […]

HONG KONG/PHILIPPINES: Concerns, questions at hostage takings tragic end

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to express its deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the eight Hong Kong nationals who were killed in a 11-hour hostage crisis in Manila yesterday. Our thoughts also go out to those who were wounded and their families. It is regrettable that the victims who were […]

SRI LANKA: Retired Senior Police Officer talks about the Devastating Degeneration of the Police Department

SSP Angunawala (Rtd) who served the department for thirty six and half years commented on the reasons for the degeneration of the police department in a taped interview given to Janasansadaya, a human rights organization. Sri Lanka at the moment is undergoing a very bad situation in the field of human values and the deterioration […]

SRI LANKA: Stop the torture of detainees at Rajangana Police Station

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received reports that police officers at Rajangana police station are using torture; four incidents have taken place at the police station in the last number of months. The police officers responsible have also broken the law and violated their code of conduct on various other levels, […]

ASIA: Women’s views on prevention of torture – Interview 30

An interview conducted by the Asian Human Rights Commission. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the AHRC. Sri Lanka – A woman speaks out against bad policing and torture This is Subani. She is the daughter of a furniture manufacturer. She is also a 32-year-old mother of one and reading for her […]

INDIA: Kerala Police Bill, 2010 requires drastic changes to meet the standards of a legislation fitting for a modern democracy.

To, The Legislature Secretary, Kerala Legislature Secretariat, Legislative Assembly Complex, Palayam, Trivandrum. Sir, Sub: Kerala Police Bill, 2010 – Notes and Comments for consideration by the Select Committee – forwarded. Ref: My letter dated 07-05-2010 I invite kind reference to my letter cited. I would be grateful for information on the sitting of the Select […]

SRI LANKA: An officer assaults a witness to police violence outside his home; no investigation is taken up

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that a man in his late forties was beaten by a policeman with a pole after he witnessed a group of officers assaulting handcuffed men outside his house. His hand is broken and his livelihood has been affected, but his complaint against the policeman is […]

SRI LANKA: An injured cyclist’s complaint is refused and mishandled after he is knocked down by police officers

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that an investigation has not been conducted into the knocking over of a cyclist by police in a vehicle in November. The man was badly injured and lost five teeth in the accident. The incident so far has been mishandled and improperly recorded by all […]

ASIA: Women’s views on prevention of torture – Interview 24

An interview conducted by the Asian Human Rights Commission. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the AHRC. Sri Lanka–A woman speaks out against bad policing and torture Mrs. Weerasinghe, 63, has a small business selling bed sheets and is a Buddhist. Her sons were 16 and 17 when they were arrested in […]

ASIA: Women’s views on the prevention of torture- Interview 25

An interview conducted by the Asian Human Rights Commission. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the AHRC. Nepal- A woman human rights activists speaks out against violence against women Rachana Bhattarai is the Executive Director of the Women’s Rehabilitation Center-WOREC Nepal, a national NGO which has been working in favour of social […]

ASIA: Women’s views on prevention of torture – Interview 21

An interview conducted by the Asian Human Rights Commission. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the AHRC. Philippines: “I just don’t trust them when it comes to investigating a complaint” Ms. Josie Obguia is a Bachelor of Arts Major in Mass Communications (AB Mass Com) from the University of Mindanao, Davao City. […]

ASIA: Women’s views on prevention of torture – Interview 23

An interview conducted by the Asian Human Rights Commission. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the AHRC. Philippines: “I never thought that I would be safe in their hands” Ms. Dorris Cuario is the Secretary General of Karapatan-Southern Tagalog region, a local human rights organisation. Dorris has been involved in human rights […]

ASIA: Women’s views on prevention of torture-Interview 22

An interview conducted by the Asian Human Rights Commission. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the AHRC. Nepal – A woman activist speaks out against bad policing Sharmila Lungeli has been working with Nari Bikash Sangh (Women’s Development Center), an NGO bringing education, health and advocacy services to women in need in […]

PAKISTAN: Christian Child Abducted, Forced into Bonded Labor in Pakistan

Muslim landowner offers to remove chains from 11-year-old boy if he converts to Islam WAZIRABAD, June 21 (CDN) — An 11-year-old Christian boy here is growing weak and ill from malnutrition from working in slave-like conditions for a Muslim landowner who kidnapped him and is forcing him to work off his family’s debts, his mother told […]

ASIA: Women’s views on prevention of torture – Interview 20

An interview conducted by the Asian Human Rights Commission. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the AHRC. Sri Lanka –A woman speaks out against bad policing and torture Mrs. Gannoruwa, 80, was a Sinhala teacher in a primary and senior school and she now campaigns against disappearances. Her son was abducted in […]