Civilian seeks protection with Jaffna HRC

[TamilNet, Saturday, 17 November 2007, 07:11 GMT]
A 32-year old civilian from Sarasaalai North, Thenmaraadchi sought protection Friday with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna due to death threats from Sri Lanka Army and SLA- backed paramilitaries.

A youth from Sarasaalai had earlier sought protection with HRC Thursday.

Many civilians including youths, family men and families with children from Thenmaraadchi seeking protection with Jaffna HRC in the recent weeks are already placed in the protective custody in Jaffna prison, creating serious congestion, sources said.

With the onset of monsoon rain in the peninsula, many of the civilians kept in protective custody have been affected by infectious diseases. Complaints made to Colombo Head office of Prisons department and to the various magistrate court officials have been of no avail, prison officials said

Meanwhile, the persons placed in the protective custody of Jaffna prison have submitted an appeal to Jaffna Magistrate through prison authorities to immediately attend to their need for basic facilities in Jaffna prison .

The inmates have announced that they will begin a protest fast and mass agitation if their appeal is not attended before 30 November.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Army commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka said this week in a interview to British investigative reporters that disappearances and killings will continue as long as SLA's ‘anti-terrorist’ operations are continuing.

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