Torture

Erik Wendt & Therese Rytter, Rehabilitation & Research Centre for Torture Victims, Denmark It is well documented that torture, enforced disappearances and extra-judicial executions are carried out throughout Asia by agents of the state, notably police, military, and special investigation units, who expose ordinary citizens to such heinous crimes in complete disregard of national legislation. […]

Dear friends,  Ms. Weerawila Gamage Sepalika (40) was illegally arrested and severely tortured by the police officers attached to the Ambalantota Police Station on 18 May 2011. Four police officers in plain clothes came to her house and carried out an illegal searched as not warrant had been issued. Sepalika was alone in the house […]

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) welcomes the decision of the Department of Justice (DoJ) after its investigation to prosecute the policemen seen in a torture video in August 2010 for violation of the Anti-Torture Act of 2009. As reported, in their 24-page resolution dated August 22, 2011, the DoJ prosecutors recommended “the filing of […]

Dear friends, We wish to share with you the following article from the Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good’s website, written by Father Thomas R. von Behren. Asian Human Rights Commission Hong Kong An article from Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good’s forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission by Father Thomas R. […]

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) concerning the abduction by the West Bengal state police of three persons from west Midnapore district. It is reported that the police abducted Mr Kishor Krishna Mahato, Mr Dulal Mahato and Mr Abani Mahato on 6 and 7 […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you that Asraf Jamiri Musa, a 17-year-old Education student, who was tortured inside a military camp and charged with illegal possession of explosives after evidence was planted on him, has been temporarily released from detention to the custody of his parents. UPDATED INFORMATION: In […]

The Asian Human Rights Commission is happy to announce the launching of the Asian Alliance against Torture and Ill-Treatment (AAATI). Kindly see the attached video on this launch at: http://blip.tv/asian-human-rights-commission/asian-alliance-against-torture-and-ill-treatment-launched-5530344 For more details about the AAATI kindly see the article below: Why the Asian Alliance against Torture and Ill-Treatment Basil Fernando, Director, Policy & Programme […]

Dear friends,  Mr. Yogarasa Shashheran (22) a resident of Kilinochchi District has been detained in Welikada Remand Prison without being charged for more than 3 years. Yogarasa lost his parents when he was 6 year old and was raised with the charitable help of others. When government forces advanced towards the Northern Region Yogarasa surrendered […]

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) concerning the case of torture of an innocent villager by the Border Security Force (BSF). It is reported that the BSF officers assaulted the victim in the case, Mr Rokim, without any apparent reason thereby fracturing his left […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a man who was kept in army detention centers for more than nine months after his abduction by secret agencies and the Frontier Corp (FC) was again abducted, this time with his nephew and both of them remain missing. The police refused to […]

Dear friends,  Mr. Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Chandana (29) of Kosmodara, Deniyaya in the Matara District was severely tortured by police officers attached to the Kosmodara Police Station. Despite being examined by a JMO at the Matara Teaching Hospital and registering a complaint with the Human Rights Commission no action has been taken to investigate the incident.  […]

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you that the soldiers tortured a member of an indigenous minority whom they falsely accused of being a member of an illegal armed group and set him on fire after pouring gasoline on him. The victim was tortured to force him to admit he […]

Dear friends,  Mr. Aadawalage Gayan Indika (26) of No 6th Canal, Kagama in Kakirawa in the district of Anuradhapura is married and father of one son. Gayan was travelling with his brother on his motorbike when they were stopped by plain clothed persons who demanded their identities. When Gayan in turn demanded the identities of […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that an Indian citizen has just completed his 21st year in a death cell in Lahore. He was the victim of the India centric policies of the government of Pakistan and was denied proper justice by the courts. From the very beginning his case […]

An Open Letter from the Asian Human Rights Commission to the Inspector General of Police and the Secretary, Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka  Dear Sirs, SRI LANKA: A young man’s complaint of imminent threat to life Re: A young man’s complaint of imminent threat to life due to a powerful businessman working hand-in-hand with […]

Dear friends,  Mr. D.K.K.S. Shehan Fernando, a young man of 22, is in danger of losing his life due to the actions of a wealthy businessman in the Ja-Ela area The officers of the Ja-Ela Police Station are refusing to investigate the victim’s allegations while at the same time aiding the perpetrator of the several […]

There is an urgent need to bring military officials under the rule of law after a high police officer was tortured to death and army men attacked a police station in broad daylight and beat the policemen In the recent days it is observed that officials of the Pakistan army and Para-military have been on […]

Dear friends,  According to the information that the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) received around 150 men from Navanthurai, a village in the Jaffna District in Northern Province, were illegally arrested and detained in an operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Army at around 1.15 am on 23 August 2011. The villagers were severely beaten […]

A Joint Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission and the Asian Alliance Against Torture and Ill-Treatment A group of 26 human rights defenders and organisations, today concluded a five-day regional conclave and formed a unique regional initiative – The Asian Alliance Against Torture and Ill-treatment (AAAT). The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and the […]

Dear friends,  Palle Gedara Srinath Saliya Jayaratne (17) surrendered himself to the Panvilla police as he had been accused of theft. After consulting a lawyer and receiving assurances from the police that he would not be ill-treated he accompanied his parents to the police station. At the station he and his parents were verbally abused […]