Families of the Disappeared demand OMP end sham investigations

After the Office of Missing Persons, 244 family members of the disappeared to appear for investigation in the Mullaitivu district, members of these families staged a protest demanding that they end their sham investigations.

According to our journalists, officials at the OMP called on the relatives of the disappeared to register with them once again so that they could conduct investigations. However, these relatives protested, highlighting that time and time again, they have been forced to register their details with various commissions for investigations. Instead, the relatives called for an end to these “sham investigations” and insisted on the international inquiry into the disappearance of their loved ones.

The latest report by the UN High Commissioner highlights that the OMP "has not been able to trace a single disappeared person or clarify the fate of the disappeared in meaningful ways".

An estimated 138 protesters have died without knowing the fate of their loved ones.

Whilst the officials told the families that they would end their registration and inquiries, they returned to their offices and resumed their work.

The Families of the Disappeared were subsequently forced out of the offices by Sri Lankan police. The police acted aggressively, threatening the relatives and taking photographs of the demonstrators.