The Sri Lankan president’s total denial of ongoing torture on the island is an “outrageous reversal of promises made to torture survivors and the international community,” said UK-based charity Freedom From Torture.
In a statement released on Friday, Freedom From Torture’s Director of Policy and Advocacy Sonya Sceats said,
“This is an outrageous reversal of promises made to torture survivors and the international community in October 2015 to deliver an internationalised justice process as part of the new government’s determination to achieve accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka”.
Ms Sceats went on to say,
“Survivors of torture receiving rehabilitation treatment from Freedom from Torture have been clear from the start that for them to have any confidence in the justice process, there must be strong international participation at every stage and level.”
“The President has questioned the veracity of the evidence Freedom from Torture has presented of ongoing torture under his presidency,” she added.
See the full statement here.
Speaking to BBC Sinhala Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena responded to questions on ongoing torture in the country by saying,
“I totally deny that. If someone can prove with evidence I am ready to give them the opportunity. Justice is served equally in this country.”
His comments come despite a report released by the International Truth and Justice Project: Sri Lanka (ITJP) last month which detailed evidence of on-going torture and sexual violence by Sri Lanka’s security forces.
See our earlier post:
Systemic torture and rape oppressing Tamils under new Sri Lanka government (05 Jan 2015)
Also see:
Sri Lanka rejects international component to accountability, denies reports of ongoing torture (22 Jan 2016)
Triumphant return for president who 'achieved a great victory' at UNHRC, as he pledges 'domestic inquiry' (03 Oct 2015)
Consensus resolution on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka adopted at UNHRC (01 Oct 2015)
Sri Lanka cannot domestically deal with 'grave crimes' found in OISL report says UN Rights Chief (16 Sep 2015)