[RE: UA-136-2005: SRI LANKA: Two persons severely injured after being tortured by iron rods by the Wattegama police; UP-97-2005: A torture victim with serious injuries is chained to his bed due to legal technicality; UP-98-2005: Rohitha remains in chains in hospital due to legal technicalities]
Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is pleased to inform you that torture victim, Rohitha Upali Liyanage who remained chained to a bed of the Kandy Hospital in Wattegama, Sri Lanka, was released after signing the necessary document at about midnight of the yesterday (16 July 2005).
According to the information received, Rohitha was taken by an ambulance to a hospital which is located within the jurisdiction of the Wattagama Magistrates’ Court and a court officer went to the hospital with the case records to obtain Rohitha’s signature. After that, he was unchained and released. In our yesterday’s appeal, the AHRC reported that the court could not send an officer to the hospital to get Rohitha’s signature in the bail document as the hospital is outside its territorial jurisdiction (UP-98-2005). Rohitha is being treated at the hospital now.
The AHRC strongly believes that your great support in this case influenced the court to make an exceptional decision. We urge you to continue writing and making your voices heard.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
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