AHRC UA990401 Sri Lanka 01 April 1999
ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION SPECIAL REQUEST
We are making this request at a very special moment. As the United Nations Human Rights Commission has started its session the delegates have begun to arrive. Very much in the agenda of discussions is the disappearances issue about which we have kept you informed.(Any person who wants further information can refer to the Web-site www.is2.hk.super.net/~ahrchk)
Sri Lankan disappearances issue in particular has been taken up, as the largest number of disappearances (over 26,800 according to official record) has taken place there. If significant action is taken at the Commission, this will help to prevent future occurrences and set a precedent regarding other countries.
Now, much will dependant on the position that will be taken by the official government delegation on this issue. We understand that this delegation does understand the seriousness of the problem as three government Commissions have submitted reports giving details of how disappearances occurred and establishing a systematic practice of disappearances. The delegation however, has not yet decided to commit itself to take serious action to deal with the issue. A show of concern at this stage can be most helpful and likely to produce a good result. The issues raised are that systematic practice of disappearances must be treated as a crime against humanity and effective action should be taken on that basis; that Criminal investigation must be held into these cases, if necessarily with the help of international Community and the culprits must be brought to justice.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Asian Human Rights Commission will focus on the worsening human rights situation especially regarding disappearance in Sri Lanka. AHRC has published its findings and recommendations. A draft resolution relating to disappearance in Sri Lanka is included in the slim 60 page publication.
The booklet is being distributed to the UN Human Rights Commission, concern Human Rights Organisations and individuals. The publication and the resolution is now available at out website
In a memorandum to the UN Working Group on Involuntary and Enforced Disappearances AHRC have summed up the basic issues relating to the Sri Lanka’sdisappearance issue.
At the AHRC web-site [www.disappearances.org] you will find many documents giving further details on the disappearances issue including the Sri Lankan situation. The main document of three commissions of inquiry into involuntary removal and disappearances of person in Sri Lanka, is being made available at this web-site.
We hope that Human Rights Organisations would actively support the resolution during this 55th Session.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It will be most helpful if you write urgently to make your concern known. Kindly encourage others also to do so. As the Sri Lankan government delegation is at Geneva, you may contact them through the Sri Lankan consulate in Geneva.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Sir,
I am writing at this stage to make my deep concern known on the issue of disappearances. I am sure you are committed to eradication of this practice and to take suitable action for this purpose. I very much urge you to use this occasion of the gathering of the United Nations commission to publicly show the resolve of your government to take decisive steps on the basis of finding of facts by the Commissions appointed by the government itself. I particularly urge that systematic practice of disappearances be treated as a crime against humanity and effective action should be on that basis; that Criminal investigation must be held into these cases, if necessarily with the help of international Community and the culprits must be brought to justice.
Your decision at this stage can help to better the image of your government and also better the lives of the people. Kindly bring this message to the notice of the Sri Lankan delegation attending the United Nations Human Rights Commission sessions.
Thank you
SEND APPEAL LETTER TO:
Hon. Ambassador, Permanent Mission and Consulate General of Sri Lanka, 56, Rue De Moillebeau, 5th Floor, 1 209, Geneva 19, Switzerland. Fax: (41-22) 734 9084, E-mail: mission.srilanka@itu.ch
SEND COPIES TO:
Ms. N. Font de Berlioz, Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disapperance, Room D-121, UN Centre for Human Rights, United Nations Office, Palais des Nations, CH-1211, Geneva 10, Switzerland, Tel: [4122] 917 3945, Fax: (4122) 917 0022, Email: nfontdeberlioz.hchr@unog.ch
and Sri Lanka’s diplomatic representatives in your country
