Torture

Torture is an extraordinary crime. The perpetrators of acts of torture have been recognised as hostis humanis generis , enemies of all humankind. Therefore, all states must ensure that the prevention of acts of torture and the assurance of the right of victims of torture are set forth in their laws.   It has been almost […]

The Philippine government prohibits the use of torture as stipulated in its 1987 constitution. It is also a state party to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), but the government’s failure to criminalise the practice of torture has virtually shielded the police, military and other public officials […]

Protests against the use of torture by law enforcement agencies are becoming more widespread in countries throughout Asia. These are emanating from a growing popular sentiment against torture as an abuse of power. With greater awareness and a sense of their own dignity, people are openly opposing abuse by law enforcement officers, who are also […]

[RE: UP-37-2004: SRI LANKA: A Kandy coordinator of National Police Commission allegedly cooperates with torture perpetrators; UP-34-2004: Priyankara brutally assaulted and arrested with no access to lawyers; UP-33-2004: Torture victim severely beaten again, forcibly taken to the police station in critical condition and feared being killed by the police; URGENT INTERVENTION NEEDED to save a […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission has been informed by reliable sources that a 25-year-old three-wheel driver has been illegally arrested and tortured by two Police Constables attached to the Palmadulla police station. The victim has suffered severe injuries and has received medical treatment. So far, no action has been taken against the alleged […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been informed by a reliable source that a 26-year-old man was allegedly severely tortured by Sub Inspector Ranaweera of the Pandaura Police, who was aided by his subordinates. The victim was also denied medical attention despite a doctor, who examined his medical health following the incident, […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from reliable sources about the torture and death of a man in Kollam District, Kerala, India. Mr. Rajendran (37) was in the business of selling floor cleaners. On 6 April 2005 when he went to Sankar hospital to meet the management, he was denied […]

UA-87-2005: PHILIPPINES: Incidents of death, torture, disappearance and displacement of civilians during a military operation PHILIPPINES: Death resulting from denial of immediate medical attention; Torture; Disappearance; Indigenous Peoples Rights; Displacement; Violation of Protocol II regarding internal conflict Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from a coalition of churches and human […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)-Mindanao regarding the illegal arrest and torture of four farmers by military forces, which falsely accused them of involvement in a rebel group on April 1, 2005, in Laak, Compostela Valley. They were illegally detained inside the […]

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that K.A. Ganga Kalpani, gave birth prematurely after being tortured by the Embilipitiya police, resulting in her child being stillborn. Ganga Kalpani, who is from Galwanguwa, was tortured along with her husband, Walakadage Gamini Senadeera.  At that time she was five months pregnant. Kalpani […]

[RE: UP-17-2005:  SRI LANKA: Lalith Rajapakse freed; Action needs to be taken against the police who falsely charged him, UP-81-2004: SRI LANKA: Continuing death threats to human rights activists and torture victims after murder of Gerald Perera, UP-77-2004: More death threats to a torture victim and a human rights defender; Witness protection is urgently needed, […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) regarding the detention of five torture victims for over two years without trial. The victims were arrested on 8 April 2003 in Cotabato City, Mindanao and were charged in connection with the March and April 2003 […]

There are two expressions the use of which brings about abject fear among all sectors of society in Bangladesh.  These terms are, ‘cross-fire’ and ‘Rapid Action Battalion’.  While the government use cross-fire to mean gun fights between any section of the armed forces and civilians, such as criminal gangs and terrorists, the popular meaning of […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the continual and apparent deliberate delay in seeking justice for a victim of torture against two accused police officers. Suresh Pradeep Kumara, who was alleged tortured by IP Indrajith of the Mt. Lavinia police station, and PS Bandara of the Kantale police station, […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding misconduct displayed by a police official and an officer of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) during its investigation into the complaint of torture victim Bernard Janapriya (32). Janapiya filed a complaint against a sergeant and 2 policemen for assaulting him on 10 […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been informed of the illegal arrest and torture of Vidana Arachchige Norman Krishantha Jayawardana (43), the assistant regional manager of Matale and Polonnaruwa Districts of Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation, by the Wattegama police on 4 March 2005. The alleged reason for his arrest is due to […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission urgently requests your intervention to provide special protection to torture victim, Mr. Nimal Silva Gunaratne! Mr. Gunaratne was arrested by the Panadurai police in June 2000 and severely tortured by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ranmal Koddithuwakku, the son of the ten Inspector General of Police (IGP), and […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a torture victim, R. Don Nawaratne Bandara, refused to give his statement in the Panadura Magistrate Court fearing for his life due to severe threats by his torture perpetrators on 1 April 2005.  He further informed the court that he wished to withdraw […]

[RE: UA-39-2003: Torture of 17-year-old boy; UP-31-2003: Update on torture of 17-year-old boy, Chamila Bandara, by Ankumbura police; UP-38-2003: The security of the torture victim and his mother is severely threatened by the perpetrators; UP-39-2004: No action by the Attorney General to prosecute the torture perpetrators of Chamila Bandara’s case; UP-57-2004: Case of Chamila Bandara; […]

[RE: UP-23-2005: Gerald Perera’s murder trial may not begin for another 5-7 years, UP-14-2005: The assassin of Gerald Perera has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department, UP-76-2004: Gerald Perera died after gunshot; His family needs urgent protection, UP-74-2004:  No action from the government to protect torture victim even after attempt on his life, UA-157-2004: […]