Two more youths surrender to Jaffna Human Rights group

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 17 January 2007, 19:51 GMT]
Two more youths sought protection with the Jaffna Humarn Rights Commission (HRC) group on Wednesday, adding to the 39 civilians already surrendered at the Jaffna office of the HRC, sources in Jaffna said. The youths complained of serious threats and intimidation by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers.

Apart from the elderly couple from 15th mile post in Udupiddy, aged 56 and 54, together with their 15-year old daughter who surrendered themselves on Tuesday, thirty six youths have already surrendered at the SLHRCoffice in Jaffna, within the past few months.

All 41 civilians are being kept in protective custody in Jaffna prison under the Jaffna Court's order.

Meanwhile, the officials of the Jaffna office of HRC have requested the head office in Colombo to arrange for the establishment a special detention camp for the surrendered civilians since they said it was not advisable to keep them together with convicted prisoners.

The official have also requested the head office to take steps to provide job opportunities for these youths some of whom are school students, and to provide plans for their future.

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