Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you of the continuing occurrence of extrajudicial killings and disappearance in the northern part of Sri Lanka. In August 2007, fifty persons were either found dead or killed; while 38 others have been forcibly disappeared following arrests or abductions. Some of the perpetrators of these cases are allegedly members of security forces and intelligence units.
Some of the corpses found could no longer be identified as they are already in state of decomposition while others bodies remained unknown. They could only be recognized by their physical features. On the other hand, the families and relatives of disappeared victims have consistently lodge complaints with the authorities, particular the Human Rights Commission (HRC) of Sri Lanka. However, there has not been any substantial progress into the complaints made.
The victims’ whereabouts remained unknown and there are no known actions taken against the alleged perpetrators of these abductions and forced disappearances. In a report released by the North East Secretariat for Human Rights (NESOHR), the complaint filed by the victims’ families and relatives alleges security forces, paramilitary, intelligence officers and thugs, to have been involved in these incidents.
In our previous appeals, we have already described the gravity of these cases. We reported several list of persons who had been victims of this continuing killings and disappearance on pretext of conflict in recent months; UP-061-2007, UA-113-2007, UP-117-2007.
You may also read the AHRC’s numerous statements expressing serious concerns about the continuing incidents of forcible abductions and forced disappearance: AS-216-2007; AS-214-2007; AS-082-2007; AS-027-2007;
The AHRC is deeply concerned by this continuing violence and the lack of remedies and relief for the victims’ family and their relatives. The continuing failure by the authorities to immediately and effectively address this grave concern reflects the extent how fast deteriorating the situation due to systemic failure which endangers the lives of the people.
Given the unwillingness and inability by the Sri Lankan government to guarantee the right to life and justice to the victims of killing and enforced disappearance, the AHRC urges the UN Human Rights Council to intervene with urgency directly; for instance, the establishment of a Human Rights Monitoring Committee based in Sri Lanka. They must also pressure the concerned authorities to demand for specific actions and time bound to ensure that the rule of law is established and the right to life is guaranteed.
LIST OF VICTIMS OF EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS:
The two lists below are arranged at: Name of the victim/address/age/gender/date of incident/brief detail of the case
1. Sakathevan Dilaxsan, Kokuvil, Jaffna, 24, Male, at 5:00a.m. on August 1. He was a student at the Jaffna University. He was shot dead inside his house allegedly by the army intelligence.
2. Thanikasalam Sasiruban, Thirunelvely, Jaffna, 24, Male, at 8:00a.m. on August 2 along Thirunelvely Tharankavil Pillaiyar Temple and Muhamavady Junction. He was a student at a Technical College Student. Army intelligence allegedly followed him on a motorbike and shot him dead.
3. Mahenthiran Tharany, Chavakachcheri Jaffna, 31, Male, on August 3 along the Chavakachcheri – Sangaththanai Road. Paramilitary elements allegedly followed him on a motor bike while riding a bicycle and shot him dead.
4. Palasingham Suresh, Sivan Kovilady Thirunelvely Jaffna, 21, Male, August 3. He was severely injured when the military in Muhamavady camp allegedly opened fire at civilians. The attack took place following similar attack on them on July 31. Three days later he succumbed to his injuries at the Jaffna teaching hospital.
5. Tharmalingham Sanmugarasa, Vaiththeeswara Junction Jaffna, 31, Male, August 3. He was shot dead near his house allegedly by paramilitary riding on a bicycle.
6. K.Sivanathan, Kalavai Batticaloa, 25, Male August 4, He was allegedly shot dead by the army at Maddu Kalavai Batticaloa
7. S.Sasikaran, Kalavai Batticaloa, 26, Male, August 4, He was allegedly shot dead by the army at Maddu Kalavai Batticaloa
8. Thanaraja Rajakumar, Muruganoor Vavuniya, 29, Male August 6. His corpse was found with gun shot wounds on the head and was tied to a stone in a well at Ellappar Maruthankulam. He had been missing for six days when found.
9. Sinnaththamby Niththiyananthan, Sinnawaththai Batticaloa, 25, Male, August 7. He went missing in the area of Sinnawathi and his corpse was later found with gun shot wounds.
10. A 35-year-old male, Veerapuram Vavuniya, 35, Male, at 1:45p.m. on August 7. He was shot dead by gun men in Pandarikulam.
11. Murugesu Rajhkanna, Kaithady South Jaffna, 30, Male, at 8:00a.m. on August 8, paramilitary elements allegedly entered his house and shot him dead in Thenmaratchchi Kaithady
12. Sanmukavadivel Siththiravadivel, Kaithady North Jaffna, 39, Male, at 8.00a.m. on August 8, Paramilitary elements allegedly entered in his house and shot him dead in Thenmaratchchi Kaithady
13. Nimalenthiran Rajenthiram, Akkaraippattu, 23, Male, at 11:30a.m. August 10. He was shot dead allegedly by members of a Special Task Force in Akkaraippattu Amparai
14. Pethuruppillai Jesuthasan, Navanthurai Jaffna, 40, Male, at 6:30a.m. August 12. He was shot dead allegedly by paramilitary elements in Navanthurai
15. Ariyaratnam Subajini, Karumpulliyan Mallavi Mullaitivu, 21, Female, at 6.40a.m. on August 13. She was killed during an air strike allegedly by the air force while in a passenger bus in Nedunkerny Katkulam Vavuniya
16. Thambaiah Santhiramohan, Kaithady Junction Jaffna, 28, Male, on August 13. He was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Kaithady.
17. K.Sellaiah, Kaithady Jaffna, 65, Male, at 11:00a.m. on August 13. He was a former president of Grama Sevaka. He was shot dead by unidentified gun men.
18. Jeyathas Ruban, Kaithady East Jaffna, Male, August 13, He was a father of two children. He was shot dead allegedly by army intelligence
19. K.Thevarasa, Rajasingham Veethy Kurunagar Jaffna, Male, August 13, He was an employee of Jaffna Municipal council. He was shot dead allegedly by army in front of Jaffna St. Patrics College.
20. Ratnam Pathmaseelan, Poththuvil Amparai, 38, Male, August 13, He was a bus conductor. He was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in front of Poththuvil Karuna Office.
21. Suresh, Poththuvil East Amparai, 27, Male, at 7:30p.m. on August 13. He was shot dead by unidentified gun men in Poththuvil Amparai
22. Nagarasa Vimalenthiran, Kantharodai Jaffna, 34, Male, August 14. He was shot dead by allegedly by army intelligence in Changanai market.
23. Siththa, Mullippoththanai, 24, Male, August 15. He was shot dead allegedly by the Paramilitary elements in Kanthalai Mullipoththani Paththima Muslim Maha Vidyalam, Trincomalee
24. Seeni Jeyakaran, Urelu North Jaffna, 27, Male, August 16. He was shot dead allegedly by army intelligence in Chunnakam Mayilani
25. An unnamed male victim, August 16 in Jaffna district, His corpse was found in a decomposing state in Pasaiyoor.
26. An unnamed male, August 16, His corpse was found with gun shot wounds on his head and all over his body by the Kopay police. His corpse was handed over to the Jaffna hospital.
27. Mahenthiran, Batticaloa, 42, Male, August 17, His corpse was found with gun shot wounds in Batticaloa.
28. A youth, Male 17-August-07, He was shot dead by the Army in Point Pedro.
29. An unnamed young man, Male, August 17. His corpse was found in Samayapuram area and was handed over Vavuniya hospital.
30. An unnamed young man, August 17, His corpse was found together with victim no. 29
31 An unnamed young man, August 17. His body was found in Manatkadu area with gun shot wounds. It was handed over to Manthikai hospital.
32. Seeniththamby Pavani, Anaikaddiyaveli Vellaveli Batticaloa, Female, August 19, unidentified armed men entered her house and shot her dead
33. Karthigesu Rajaratnam, Velanai East Jaffna, 57, Male, August 19. He was a business man and a father of five children. He was shot dead by the unidentified gunmen.
34. An unnamed owner of a business center, Male, August 19. He was shot dead in his shop by unidentified gunmen
35. Sivasamy Sritharan, Puliyankoodal South, 31, Male, August 20. He was an employee of Danish Demining Group. He was shot dead allegedly by army intelligence
36 Jeyarajah, Jinnanagar, 23, Male August 20, He was a truck driver. He was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Trincomalee
37. S.Thiyagachchandran, Valaichchenai Batticaloa, Male, at 6:30p.m. August 20. He was one of the brother of Batticaloa district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentration S. Jeyananthamoorthy and an employee of Valaichchenai paper factory. He was shot dead by paramilitary when returning home from his work place.
38. Arumugam, Veerapuram Vavuniya, 55, Male, August 20. He was a former President of Village Development Council. He was shot dead allegedly by thugs in Veerapuram.
39. Senthilnathan, Veerapuram Vavuniya, 35, Male, August 20, He was working as a driver in the Ceylon Transport Board. He was forcibly pulled off from the bus allegedly by thugs and shot dead.
40. Sellaiah Santhiran, Navali Jaffna, 59, Male, August 23, Paramilitary elements allegedly shot him dead in front of his house after he was asked to come out of his home
41. Antony, Kayts Jaffna, 35, Male, August 23, He went missing and his corpse, with his hands and legs tied to stones, was later found in a pond.
42. An unnamed corpse of a man, August 23. His corpse was found in a cemetery in Vavuniya
43. Sanmukarasa Sasikaran, Varani Jaffna, 35, Male, August 25. He was shot dead by unidentified men in Thenmaratchi Varani
44. An unnamed young man, August 26, He was travelling in a bus and was shot dead by the unidentified gunmen in Trincomalee
45. Sanmugam Sasikaran, Kaluthavalai Temple Road, 33, Male, August 28, His corpse was found with gun wounds in Vellaveli, Batticaloa
46. An unnamed young man, August 29, He was shot dead allegedly by army in Point Pedro in Jaffna
47. An unnamed young man, August 29. He was shot dead allegedly by army in Vathiri Point Pedro in Jaffna
48. Nadaraja Sugumar, Kilinochchi, 34, Male, August 30. He was a business man in Kanthalai area. He was shot dead allegedly by army intelligence in Trincomalee
49. An unnamed young man, Male, August 30. He was shot dead allegedly by army intelligence in Kanthalai in Trincomalee
50. Nadarajalingham Siyamalan, Manthuvil Jaffna, 25, Male, August 31. He was a business man in Manthuvil area. He was shot dead allegedly by paramilitary elements
LIST OF VICTIMS OF ABDUCTION AND ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE:
1. An unnamed student, Kopay Jaffna, 15, Male, August 1. He was studying in Kopai Hindu College. He was abducted at his relative’s house allegedly by paramilitary elements.
2. Velautham Jeyasingham, Palaiya Post Office Veethy Vinayakapuram, 48, Male August 3. He was abducted allegedly by Karuna Group. A complaint was lodged by his relatives following his abduction in Batticaloa.
3. Kaneshamoorthy Sasikumar, School Road Palkuda Vinayagapuram, 15, Male August 3. He was abducted allegedly by Karuna Group. A complaint was lodged by his relatives following his abduction in Batticaloa.
4. Neelakandan Rathiga, Kaththiri College Thirukkovil, 22, female, August 3, She was abducted allegedly by Karuna Group. A complaint was lodged by her relatives following her abduction in Batticaloa.
5. Kanapathippillai Santhirpos, Temple Road Vinayakapuram, 33, Male August 3, He was abducted allegedly by Karuna Group. A complaint was lodged by his relatives following his abduction in Batticaloa.
6. Vairamuthu Thavarasa, KaliKovil Veethy Vinayakapuram, 45, Male August 3, He was abducted allegedly by Karuna Group. A complaint was lodged by the relatives following his abduction in Batticaloa.
7. Markandu Santhirakumar, Kopay Jaffna, 22, Male August 5, He was abducted. A complaint was lodged by his relatives with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) in Jaffna
8. Maharasa Raveenthiran, Kantharmadam Jaffna, 29, Male, August 5, He was abducted. A complaint was lodge by the relatives with the HRC in Jaffna.
9. Sritharan Tharsanan, Chunnakam Kantharodai Jaffna, 21, Male, August 5, He was abducted. A complaint was lodge by his relatives with the HRC in Jaffna
10. Subramaniyam Kankatharan, Araly Northy Vaddukkoddai, 32, Male, August 5, He was abducted. A complaint was lodge by the relatives with the HRC in Jaffna.
11. Veerasingham Vonothan, Nayanmarkaddu Jaffna, 19, Male, August 8. He was working in a Jewellary shop. He was taken allegedly by the Army to the Adiyapatham military Camp. He has not returned home yet since then.
12. Kathiramalai Mugunthan, Pointpedro Salai Jaffna, 27, Male, August 10. He was a garage owner and a father of four children. He went missing after he left the house. His wife lodged a complaint with the HRC in Jaffna.
13. Pathmanathan Karikaran, Puththur East Jaffna, 35, Male, August 10, He was a mentally affected patient. He went missing after he went to a shop in Puththur market to buy coconut. His wife lodged a complaint with the HRC in Jaffna.
14. Pusparasa Puspanathan, Valvettithurai Koththavaththai, 22, Male, August 10. He went missing after he left his home. His wife lodge a complaint with the HRC Jaffna.
15. Thangavel Palamurali, Thumpalai Kappaitheru Veethy Pointpedro, 22, Male, August 11, He went missing. His relatives lodge a complaint with the HRC Jaffna.
16. Thevarasa Thavappirasath, Mylanthanai Jaffna, 26, Male, August 12, Paramilitary elements allegedly entered his home at 7:15p.m. They had his mother’s hands tied and subsequently took him with them. His mother lodged a complaint with the HRC Jaffna.
17. Suntharalingham Nomithan, Pasupathiyar Road, Sangaththanai Chavakachcheri Jaffna, 25, Male, August 13. He went missing. His relatives lodged a complaint with the HRC Jaffna.
18. Arumaithurai Satheeskumar, Araly North Vaddukkoddai, 19, Male, August 13, He went missing. His relatives lodged a complaint with the HRC Jaffna.
19. Thirunamam Manokaran, Sandilippay North Jaffna, 21, Male, August 14. He was waiting in front of a political party’s camp in Jaffna on his way home to Trincomalee by a ship when two army intelligence wearing plain clothes allegedly abducted him.
20. Nadarasa Jeyarajah, Pesalai Mannar, 28, Male, August 14. He was abducted by unidentified men. His wife lodged a complaint with the HRC.
21. R.Niruban, Thenmaratchi Jaffna, 22, Male, August 16, He was a mason. He was abducted allegedly by paramilitary elements to build a camp for them in a secret place. His relatives filed a complaint for his abduction.
22. Karthigesu Priya, Nallur Jaffna, 23, Male, August 08. He went missing. His relatives lodged a complaint with the HRC in Jaffna.
23. An unnamed young man, 14, August 8.2007, He was studying at Grade 08 in Urumpirai Hindu Tamil Vidyalayam. He was abducted by Paramilitary.
25. Sabastiyan Kristiyan Lenald, Kallaru Kilinochchi, Male, August 20, He went missing after going for fishing in Vadamaratchchi East Vaththirayan Sea.
26. Sivanathan Rajahkumar, Kallaru Kilinochchi, Male, August 20. He went missing after going for fishing in Vadamaratchchi East Vaththirayan Sea.
27. Mylvakanam Kokulavasan, Neervely Kanthasuvamy Kovilady Jaffna, Male, August 20. He was an electricity board employee. He was forcibly abducted allegedly by the paramilitary according to the complaint filed by his relatives in HRC in Jaffna
28. V.Satheeskumar, Madduvil Jaffna, 29, Male, August 20. He went missing after going to his town in Jaffna. His relatives lodged a complaint with the HRC Jaffna.
29. K.Piratheepan, Madduvil Jaffna, 32, Male, August 20. He went missing after going to his tome in Jaffna. His relatives lodge a complaint with the HRC Jaffna.
30. Veerasingham Supassanthirapos, Trincomalee, 35, Male, at 1:30 p.m. August 23, He was allegedly abducted by the paramilitary elements who came in a white van in Trincomalee East, Trincomalee
31. Subramaniyam Suthakaran, Periyaporatheevu Batticaloa, 25, Male, August 23. He was staying at his relative’s house in Negombo when he was allegedly abducted by the army. His relatives have lodge a complaint with the HRC in Negombo
32. Subramaniyam Santhakumar, Periyaporatheevu Batticaloa, 21, Male, August 23. He was staying at his relative’s house in Negombo when he was allegedly abducted by the army. His relatives have lodge a complaint with the HRC in Negombo
33. Thampiras Jeevakanthan, Meesalai Jaffna, 21, Male, August 25, unidentified armed men entered his house and subsequently abducted him at gun point. His relatives have already lodge a complaint with the HRC in Jaffna
34. Sayanthan, Karaveddy Thunnalai Jaffna, 27, Male, August 26. He was arrested near the Uduppiddy Pillaiyar Temple allegedly by the army and has subsequently disappeared since then. His relatives have already lodge a complaint with the HRC in Jaffna
35. Nirmalan, Karaveddy Thunnalai Jaffna, 21, Male, August 26. He was arrested near the Uduppiddy Pillaiyar Temple allegedly by the army and has subsequently disappeared. His relatives have already lodge a complaint with the HRC in Jaffna
36. Nantharuban Jeyakkody, Sakkoddai Vadamaratchchi Jaffna, 29, Female, August 26. He went missing. His relatives have already lodge a complaint with the HRC in Jaffna
37. An unnamed person, at 12:00p.m. August 31. He was abducted allegedly by paramilitary elements which came in a white van in Mannar town, Mannar
38. An unnamed person, at 12:00p.m. August 31. He was abducted allegedly by the paramilitary elements which came in a white van in Mannar town
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the concerned authorities requesting them to ensure that each of these cases is thoroughly investigated to ensure that the victim’s plight particularly the disappeared, are known to their respective families. The victims’ families and relatives must also be actively involved and properly informed in this process. The authorities must also ensure that appropriate assistance and remedies are afforded to them accordingly.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ____________,
SRI LANKA: Please make sure that extrajudicial killings and disappearances be stop
I am shocked to learn about the further extrajudicial killings of 50 persons and the enforced disappearance of 38 others in the Northern of Sri Lanka. These are list of yet another victim recorded during the month of August 2007. I presume that you are well aware of these cases since this have already been reported to the concerned authorities, particularly the National Human Rights Commission (HRC).
I have been informed that according to the complaints and testimonies made by the families of the dead and their relatives, there are serious allegations of the alleged involvement by the government’s security forces; particularly the army intelligence, paramilitary officers and thugs, in perpetrating these murders and disappearance. I am not aware though of any substantial progress into the investigation conducted into each of this case.
At least 22 of the victims of abduction and enforced disappearance have also had their cases reported to the NHRC by their family members and relatives. It is disappointing though that none of those cases has had substantial progress since. I am also not aware of any assistance or remedies afforded to them in locating their missing loved ones. It is disappointing that though that despite the extreme trauma and continued suffering these families had to suffer, the authorities concerned has continued to fail in taking adequate action.
I am gravely concern by this lack of assistance and remedies for families of abduction and forcible disappearance. The failure by the authorities has in effect emboldens the perpetrators to commit this acts with impunity. I am gravely concerned that this would result to further commission of violence and spiraling of cases, as it is continuously happening, should the authorities fail to take immediate and effective action into this. I am gravely concerned of the continuing absence of remedies for the victims’ families.
I urge you to ensure that each cases of extrajudicial killings, particularly those alleged to have committed by security forces, are thoroughly investigated. I am deeply concerned that the continuing failure to identify, arrest and prosecute those involved, has further encourage or emboldens the commission of this acts. It is disappointing that persons are needlessly killed in gruesome – their corpses are disposed elsewhere – and abduction and disappearance while the perpetrators have not been held to account.
Furthermore, I urge you to use you authority to ensure that the Sri Lankan government ratifies the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Ratifying this is necessary to ensure families of the disappeared would obtain remedies and relief on cases involving abductions and enforced disappearance, in particular there should be enactment of domestic laws in accordance with this Convention.
I trust that you will take prompt and effective action in these cases.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse
President
Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka
C/- Office of the President
Temple Trees
150, Galle Road
Colombo 3
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2472100 / +94 11 2446657
Email: secretary@presidentsoffice.lk
2. Mr. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake
Prime Minister
Temple Trees
Galle Road, Colombo 03
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 575317-8 or 370 737-8
Fax: +94 11 2 575454
3. Hon. Amarasiri Dodangoda, MP
Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice and Law Reforms
Superior Courts Complex,
Colombo 12
Tel: 94 11 2384837, 2324681, 2392932
Fax: 94 11 2325354 / 2445446
4. Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama, MP
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mnistry of Foreign Affairs
Republic Building, Colombo 01,
Sri Lanka
Tel: +94-11-2325371 / 5
Fax: +94-11-2446091
Email: publicity@formin.gov.lk
5. Secretary
Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order
15/5, Baladaksha Mawatha,
Colombo 03,
SRI LANKA
Tel: 94-11 2 430860-9, 430878-9 or 435879 (for the secretary)
Fax: 94 11 2 446300 or 421529
E-mail: secdef@sltnet.lk
6. Mr. Victor Perera
Inspector General of Police
New Secretariat
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 440440/327877
E-mail: igp@police.lk
7. Mr. Neville Piyadigama
Chairperson
National Police Commission
3rd Floor, Rotunda Towers,
109 Galle Road
Colombo 03
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 395310
Fax: +94 11 2 395867
E-mail: npcgen@sltnet.lk
8. Mr. C.R. De Silva
Attorney General
Attorney General’s Department
Colombo 12
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 436421
Email: attorney@sri.lanka.net
9. Secretary
Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka
No. 36, Kynsey Road
Colombo 8
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 694 925 / 673 806
Fax: +94 11 2 694 924 / 696 470
E-mail: sechrc@sltnet.lk
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrchk.org)
