The
2011 country reports on human rights
practices published by the United
States (US) State Department claimed
that unlawful killings by Security
Forces (SFs) and Government-allied
paramilitary groups are a major
human rights problem in Sri Lanka,
often in the predominantly TAMIL
areas, reports Colombo Page.
In addition, attacks on and harassment
of civil society activists, persons
suspected of being Liberation Tigers
of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
sympathizers, and journalists, by
persons allegedly tied to the Government
created an environment of fear and
self-censorship, the report says.
The report also mentioned that the
Sri Lankan Government prosecuted
a very small number of officials
implicated in human rights abuses
but had yet to hold anyone accountable
for alleged violations of international
humanitarian law and international
human rights law that occurred during
the conflict. The report recognized
that although enforced and involuntary
disappearances continued to be a
problem, the number of such disappearances
appeared to have declined from previous
years.
Meanwhile,
the National Police Commission (NPC)
of Sri Lanka has received 224 complaints
since its reinstatement on February
23 2012. Among them, 129 complaints
have been selected for investigations
in the initial stage. The activation
of the National Police Commission
was one of the recommendations made
by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation
Commission (LLRC).
Meanwhile,
over 200 suspected LTTE prisoners
have called off their hunger strike
on May 24, after authorities promised
to address their issues. They had
started their hunger strike on May
17.
According
to BBC News, Sri Lanka's
ex-army Chief Sarath Fonseka is
barred from political office for
seven years, despite being freed
from jail on May 21, his lawyer
said. Terms of his release prevent
him from running for office. |
