The hunger strike of 12 Tamil political prisoners, who were detained between 2019 and 2020, has entered its 5th day as those imprisoned continued to demand for their release.
The prisoners, who were arrested under Sri Lanka’s draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act, are being held at Colombo Magazine prison. The latest UN report documents the continued suffering of 47 long-term prisoners held under the PTA. The PTA has been widely condemned for its discriminatory legislation to target Tamil and Muslims and linked to cases of torture, police brutality and enforced disappearances.
The hunger strike of these Tamil political prisoners nears the anniversary of Lt Col. Thileepan, who fasted onto death as he called on the Indian government to honour the pledges made to the Tamil people.
Thileepan began his fast on 15th September 1987, surrounded by over 100,000 supporters, and died 11 days later, on the 26th September 1987.
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