URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT URGENT ACTION
ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION – URGENT APPEALS PROGRAM
AHRC UA Index: 001206 06 December 2000
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UA 41/00: A extreme abuse – need to call for inquiry
SRI LANKA – Kidnapping, Torture and Illegal Detention by Police
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A group of people arrived at the house of Angaline Rosana in Narahenpita at about 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 in a private vehicle. One of the people, later identified as the OIC of Narahenpita, called for Angaline Roshana and wanted to take her to the police station. This person did not wear any police uniform nor did he inform Roshana or her family about the reason for her arrest. Roshana¡¯s family members protested and even asked how were they to know that Roshana was, in fact, being taken to the police station. The OIC then threatened to break their teeth and forcibly took Roshana to the vehicle and left.
She was then taken to a house where she has been employed part-time washing clothes. At the house, she was told that some items in the house, including a valuable wristwatch, were missing. When Roshana said that she knew nothing about these items, she was then told to go search and find them. She was forcibly kept in the house for about five hours. Meanwhile, members of the family of the house and the OIC drank liquor and enjoyed themselves.
At about 12:30 a.m., she was brought to the Narahenpita police station where she was assaulted and forced to sign a confession. Throughout Dec. 4, she was detained at the police station, and the police often threatened to hang her up and beat her. These threats were usually made when the lady of the house visited the police station. During the day, a lawyer from the Human Rights Institute, Mr. Sangeewa, visited the police station and asked for her to be produced in court. Dr. Nali Swaris, who was approached by Roshana¡¯s family, also visited the police station and talked to the OIC. When asked by Dr. Swaris to respect Roshana¡¯s legal rights, the officer replied that ¡°the laws of the country are too weak.¡± When asked when she will be produced in court, the OIC only cynically smiled. Even on the morning of Dec. 5, Roshana is still in police custody.
The act of taking a person by people who are not wearing any police uniform or have any police identification amounts to kidnapping. Moreover, Roshana was not informed about the reasons for her kidnapping or arrest. Furthermore, she was tortured to obtain a confession, and she is still being illegally detained.
We urge you to take prompt action on this matter, so as to guarantee her safety and protect her rights,
SUGGESTED ACTION
Write to President of Sri Lanka, Inspector General of Police and Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission, calling on them to inquiry and take proper action on this extreme abuse, so as to guarantee her safety and protect rights. Please send a copy of your letter to the Sri Lankan president and to the Urgent Appeal Desk.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Sir
Ref.: Kidnapping, Torture and Illegal Detention of Angaline Rosana by OIC and Other Officers of Narahanpita Police Station
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This is to express my concern over this case. I am very much concerned about the safety of this girl and am also disturbed by the extreme abuse of her rights by the police you are supposed in fact to protect people¡¯s rights. I call for a through inquiry into this matter and to take proper action against the culprits.
I look forward to hearing about your prompt action to investigate on this matter and guarantee her safety.
Sincerely
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SEND LETTERS (preferably by fax) TO
Her Excellency President Chandrika B. Kumaratunga
Presidential Residence
Colombo 3
SRI LANKA
FAX: +941 333 703
SALUTATION: Your Excellency
Mr. B.L.V. Kodituwakku
Inspector General of Police
New Secretariat
Colombo 1,
SRI LANKA
FAX: +941 446 174
SALUTATION: Dear Inspector General
Mr. Fais Musthapa
Chairperson
Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka
No. 50, Dr. N W Perera Mawatha
Borella, Colombo 8
SRL LANKA
FAX: +941 694 924
SALUTATION: Dear Mr. Musthapa
*** Please send a copy of your letter to AHRC Urgent Appeals:
Email: <ua@ahrchk.org>
Fax: +(852) 26986367
