Repression of Dissent in Sri Lanka - January - March 2014, INFORM report

A key focus of the human rights discourse in Sri Lanka during this period was the UN Human Rights Council sessions in March 2014, where a resolution on Sri Lanka was passed, condemning the ongoing human rights violations, impunity for past violations and asking the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to undertake an international investigation and monitor domestic accountability processes. The government of Sri Lanka had strongly opposed the resolution and engaged in public campaigns to discredit and portray all those promoting and supporting the resolution as traitors and supporters of terrorism. Tamil politicians, human rights defenders and Tamil Christian clergy inside Sri Lanka bore the brunt of such attacks,.... Read the full report below or as a PDF here

Women's group; Rebel suspects' families detained by Sri Lanka govt

Tamils protest arrests and disappearances ( photo: SLB source)

Associated Press / KRISHAN FRANCIS

A Sri Lankan women's rights group said Wednesday that the government is arresting innocent female relatives of males it suspects are trying to revive the Tamil Tiger rebel group and the women are suffering from ill treatment. Women's Action Network described the cases of six women it says were arrested from the north and east, the former civil war zone, because authorities suspect their male associates or family members have rebel links. The group's statement said the Criminal Investigation Department has detained the women in inhuman conditions as some are elderly or need medical and psychiatric care but are being denied those facilities.

Groups warn of backlash as U.N. calls for probe into Sri Lanka civil war abuses

Sri Lanka media activist interviewed

(CNN) -- Rights groups are warning of a backlash against activists in Sri Lanka following a landmark United Nations resolution calling for an international inquiry into abuses at the end of the country's civil war.

The U.N.'s Human Rights Council passed a resolution Thursday calling for a "comprehensive investigation into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights" allegedly committed both by Sri Lankan government forces and the separatist Tamil Tigers in the final stages of the country's brutal 26-year civil war.

Sri Lanka: IBAHRI calls for increased vigilance from international community following UN Resolution

AStudent protest, Sri Lanka

With the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) having voted to open an international investigation into alleged war crimes by both the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the final stages of Sri Lanka’s 26-year civil war, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) calls for increased vigilance by the international community following an escalation in threats to human rights defenders.

Sri Lanka may have to face same punitive action by the West as imposed on Russia

Learning together from Geneva mistakes  by Jehan Perera

The resolution on Sri Lanka that is to be voted on this coming Friday at the UN Human Rights Council is tighter than the draft that first made its appearance two weeks ago. This would be disappointing to the Sri Lankan government that worked hard through its friendly countries to dilute the draft resolution, if not defeat it entirely. However, mistakes made by the government and circumstances beyond its control have worked against it.

SRI LANKA: Release Balendran Jeyakumari - stop harassments of human rights defenders!

Jayakumari

A Statement from The Asian Federation against Involuntary Disappearances

Today, as the United Nations commemorates the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) reiterates its strong condemnation against the arbitrary arrest and detention of Balendran Jeyakumari and her 13-year old daughter and the intensifying intimidation and harassment against Rukj Fernando and Father Praveen after their release from detention.

Sri Lankan Free Speech Activists Muzzled - IFJ

 Photo by Pat Roque/AP,
courtesy The Guardian

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its Sri Lankan affiliate the Free Media Movement (FMM) in deploring the Magistrate order issued on human rights activists Ruki Fernando and Father Praveen Mahesan, restricting their right to speak and calls for an immediate lifting on the ban.
The IFJ said: “This judicial order has prevented the two activists from speaking about not only their arrest but also the human rights violations taking place in the North of Sri Lanka that they had been investigating.”

Restriction orders on Ruki and Fr. Praveen is one more reason for a stronger resolution at UNHRC

Ruki

''Merely tagging on an accusation of some connection to the LTTE without sufficient evidence in order to create the impression of some illegal activity is not becoming of a legitimate government. Unfortunately the long period of violence that prevailed in the country for several decades left room for such arrests without the strict criterion relating to the law. A situation arose when, by the mere signature of an official, the most terrible accusations can be made and these led to the issuing of orders which have enormous consequences. ''

No right to campaign for the release of Ruki Fernando and Fr. Praven referring to them as 'human rights activists - MoD

Ruki Fernando with his lawyers
(BBC sandesha photo)

Human Rights Organizations or Activists are NOT above the LAW

The arrests and detention of Mr. Ruki Fernando and Father Praveen has generated wide coverage demanding their immediate release on the premise that they were human rights activists. What needs to be clearly established is that Sri Lanka is a democratic country, there are laws that govern the country and laws that are applicable to all those living in Sri Lanka. Anyone living in Sri Lanka, whether they are citizen or non-citizen are subject to the laws of the land. If anyone has breached the laws of the country it is considered a criminal offence against the State of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka: FMM deplores judicial order banning right to speak of two HRDs

 Press release / 23.03.2014

The Free Media Movement deplores the Magistrate order issued on Human Rights Defenders ( HRDs) Ruki Fernando and Fr, Praveen Mahesan restricting their right to speak.  The freedom of  expression is a fundamental right recognized by the constitution of Sri Lanka and enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It can only be restricted under specific situations.

Lawyers release testimony of Vibushika, details confirm SL military trap

Vibushika holding her brothers
 photo ( Photo: Freddy G.)

Lawyers in Colombo working on a Fundamental Rights case, have released a translated text of the letter written by 13-year-old Vipooshika on what happened to them on 13 March 2014 and in the continued detention. The details given by her confirms the earlier reports of alleged trap set by the SL military Establishment and the reports of assault and intimidation. The letter further establishes how the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) in Vavuniyaa cooperated with the Sri Lankan military establishment to intimidate the women. 

US concerns on continued intimidation of Sri Lankan civil society and HRDs

Jan Paski: Intimidations continue

Press Statement by Jen Psaki, Department SpokespersonThe United States is concerned by intensifying pressure on Sri Lankan civil society and human rights activists. We are especially concerned by the detention of well-known human rights defenders Ruki Fernando and Father Praveen Mahesan after they made inquiries regarding the arrest of another activist. While it is encouraging that Mr. Fernando and Father Mahesan have since been released, they continue to face harassment by security forces. We are also aware of reports that additional human rights groups are being targeted for investigation by security forces.

Suppression of HRDs: Sri Lanka police and military in a joint operation to find Ruki Fernando's car!

J.C. Weliamuna speaking at the press con.

Minutes after the press conference held by five leading civil society organisation to oppose the arrest and restriction imposed after the release on  Ruki Fernando and Fr. Praveen Mahesan, , a military contingent of 15 soldiers has entered the office of one of those civil society organisation, looking for a vehicle, used by Ruki Fernando to travel within Colombo last two days.

The press conference was addressed by Dr. P. Saravanamuthu of Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA), Attorney at law J.C. Weliamuna and Attorney at law Chandrapala Kumarage of Lawyers for Democracy,

A court order imposing unheard limitations to Ruki Fernando and Fr. Praveen sets a world recorded

Fr. Praveen and Ruli

Lanka e News is has been informed by our legal sources on a unbelievable a court order imposed on Ruki Fernando and Fr. Praveen Mahesan , who were arrested by TID and released without any charges after two days of questioning. According to this court order both of them are not even allowed to speak to anyone including their loved ones. 

 They were arrested on last Sunday night (SL time 10.30 pm ) in Kilinochchi and released in Colombo. For the first time in Sri Lankan judicial history they were released at 1.30 am on 18th March 2014. An another record.

Ruki Fernando on CNN: Are Sri Lanka's 'anti-terror' arrests an attempt to intimidate activists?

Ruki Fernando pictured in 2009

(CNN) A prominent Sri Lankan rights activist controversially detained by his government under anti-terror laws says he believes his arrest was partly spurred by an international push to independently investigate the country's human rights record following decades of civil war. Ruki Fernando, one of his country's leading human rights activists, was arrested late Sunday night with fellow activist Rev. Praveen Mahesan, a Roman Catholic priest, in the former Tamil rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi in the country's north.

Arrest of HRDs in Sri Lanka:Repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) ; Charge or release all others

HC Navi Pillay is being welcomed by Vibhushika Palendran (13),
(right) who was arressed withher mother HRD Jayakumari

19th March, 2014

Statement condemning the arbitrary arrest and detention of Human Rights Defenders, Ruki Fernando, Father Praveen Mahesan, victims and their families

We, the undersigned welcome the release of prominent Sri Lankan Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) Ruki Fernando and Fr. Praveen Mahesan on 19th March 2014. We however strongly condemn their arbitrary arrest and detention by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) in Kilinochchi (Northern Province) on 16th March 2014. We also note, that this release was an exception to the general pattern, and was only made possible by sustained pressure and efforts by a wide range of individuals, organizations and Governments advocating with the Sri Lankan Government to secure their release.

Sri Lankan Human Rights Defenders Freed Without Charge

IFJ Asia

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is relieved to report that the respected human rights activists Ruki Fernando and Father Praveen were released by Sri Lankan authorities at approximately 1.30am Sri Lankan time today. Ruki Fernando, one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent human rights activists and a close friend of the IFJ, was arrested alongside Fr. Praveen Mahesan, a Roman Catholic priest and the former director of the Jaffna-based Center for Peace and Reconciliation on March 16 in Kilinochchi by Sri Lanka’s Terrorist Investigation Division. They were charged with terrorism offenses.

(Photo: Sri Lankan national K.M Ruki Fernando before  his arrest, speaking to the media about the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka © AFP PHOTO/JES AZNAR )

Hours before two SL HRDs released in Colombo, SL Geneva mission accused them of 'terrorist connections' at HRC 25

SL AMB Ravinatha Ariyasinha

''The detention on 16th March of Mr. Ruki Fernando and Father Praveen under the PTA were in connection with the aforesaid investigation into attempts to revive the LTTE by operatives, including the recovery of the arms caché at Vishwamadu and the shooting incident in Dharmapuram involving Gobi. Investigations have revealed that Mr. Fernando and Father Praveen had been in Killinochchi engaging with persons connected to Gobi. Their questioning is continuing at present to ascertain the whereabouts of Gobi and other related operatives.''
Right of Reply by Sri Lanka 25th Session of the Human Rights Council / March 18th, 2014

Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN, Geneva

SL Minstry of Defence (MOD) site has deleted libelous statement re Ruki Fernando and Fr. Praveen, posted this morning

Here  is the post on the MOD site this morning now taken out. See Srilanka brief note posted this morning with the heading :Arresst of HRDs in Sri Lanka: Misinformtion campaign begins 

''We reprodse an news item form state controlled Daily news which is full of lies. 

'Ruki Fernando and Fr, Praveen have never been prominent activists of the National Peace Council (NPC) - SLB

NATIONAL PEACE COUNCIL TIGER LINKS BARED - 

Prominent NPC activists in TID custody -Close contacts with LTTE faction trying to revive Eelam''

The MOD site screen shot of the said article follows

Sri Lanka HRDs Ruki Fernando and Fr. Praveen were linked to known terrorist - State mouth peice CDN

DEFENDING THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF TERRORISTS
Editorial / State Daily News, 19 March 2014
All sanctimonious humbugs in the non governmental 'humanitarian' organizations are furiously tapping their desktop and ipad keyboards sending off self righteous tracts to the media about what they refer to as the arrests of human rights defenders at a time the UN HRC is in session in Geneva.