Sri Lanka: Threats & Reprisals against HR Lawyer and Jaffna Uni. Senior Lecturer, Kumaravadivel Guruparanly condemned

5^th November, 2019.

Statement Condemning Threats, Harassment and Reprisals against Human Rights Lawyer and Jaffna University Senior Lecturer, Kumaravadivel Guruparanly.

We, the undersigned individuals strong condemn the recent threats, harassment and unfair treatment against human rights defender, Kumaravadivel Guruparan, by the Sri Lankan military and University Authorities. Guruparan, is a prominent human rights lawyer and academic based in Jaffna, in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. He is the founder of the Adayalam Center for Policy Research, and is a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Law, at the University of Jaffna. He is also a Co-Spokesperson of the Tamil Civil Society Forum (TCSF). On 09 November, 2019, Guruparan was informed by the Jaffna University Council, that he had been barred from private legal practice as per a decision of the University Grants Commission (UGC). We condemn this decision of the UGC, which was instigated by the military, and is aimed at silencing and suppressing Guruparan’s human rights work and legal advocacy.

Over the past decade or more, Guruparan has been a strong voice for human rights and accountability in Sri Lanka. Despite living and working in a highly militarized and hostile context, he has been consistently vocal against the failure of successive Governments to hold those responsible, especially the military, accountable for crimes against civilians.

The restrictions and harassment meted out against Guruparan are direct reprisals against his human rights work. We are deeply concerned at the conduct of the UGC and the University of Jaffna (UoJ), in their treatment of a senior faculty member. Both the UGC and the UoJ are civilian institutions, responsible at least in part, for moulding and guiding generations of university students in this country. In this instance, they have shown a crippling inability to withstand pressure from the military, a trend which threatens dangerous consequences. On 21August, 2019, the military wrote to the UGC questioning the basis on which Guruparan was permitted to practice law in court. Despite there being clear provisions under the University Establishment code under which a faculty member may be permitted to engage in private practice, and the military having no standing whatsoever to question or interfere in internal university matters, the UGC took the surprising decision on 05 September, that Guruparan should no longer be permitted to practice law. The decision of the UGC was communicated to the University of Jaffna which then in turn on 09 November 2019 has decided to ask Guruparan to act according to the UGC directives.

There has been a pattern of threats, intimidation and harassment against human rights defenders, especially those working in the North and East, in the lead up to the November election. Lawyers and activists working on military accountability have been particularly targeted. The recent threats and restrictions against Guruparan are believed to be linked to his representation of victims in the Navatkuli Habeas Corpus case, which relates to the enforced disappearance of 24 boys from military custody in 1996. Following the hearing of the case on 01 August 2019, Guruparan and other lawyers were photographed by unidentified men within the court premises. On 07 August, three officers from the Terrorism Investigation Department (TID) visited the Adayalam Center office and demanded staff details and information about their work. Other lawyers working on the case have also faced similar harassment and intimidation.

We reiterate that the restrictions and harassment against Guruparan are a reprisal against his human rights work. The restrictions on his legal practice is a clear attempt to subvert justice by preventing his cases from being litigated successfully in court. We stand in solidarity with Guruparan and other lawyers, journalists, and human rights defenders in the North and East, who face an increasingly tense and restrictive environment.

We also call upon the Judicial Service Commission to take note of the serious implications of such actions by the military, whose members have been named as respondents in the case that Guruparan is representing. Attempts to influence as to who appears on the other side through intimidation and undue influence is a very serious issue affecting the fundamental right to equality before the law and recourse to justice.The Hon. Attorney General who appears for the military must also appropriately advice his clients to desist from such reprehensible behaviour.

In conclusion, we condemn the UGC for aiding the military call on them to rescind the order, and clarify the rights of university legal academics staff to engage in practice.

Signatories;

Individuals

1. A. Ragunathan – Independent Activist

2. Abiramy Sivalogananthan

3. Alexsandra Rajapouliny

4. Ameer Faaiz – Attorney-at-Law

5. Analaxumy Srithas

6. Angel

7. Angelica Chandrasekeran

8. Anithra Varia

9. Annouchka Wijesinghe

10. Anparasan Ajitha

11. Anthony Jesudan

12. Anthony Vinoth

13. Anushani Alagarajah

14. Aravinth Sukumar

15. Ariyakumar Rathika
16. Arunthavarasa Keerthika
17. Asha

18. Ashila Dandeniya

19. B. Gowthaman

20. Baskaralingam Suntharalingam

21. Bhavani Fonseka – Attorney-at-Law

22. Binendri Perera

23. Bisliya Bhoto

24. C. Ranitha Gnanarajah – Attorney-at-Law

25. Cayathri Divakalala – Researcher and Activist  

26. Chandrika De Silva – Freelance Writer

27. Channaka Jayasinghe

28. Chintaka Rajapakse

29. Christopher M. Stubbs PhD. M.B.E. – Founder, MENCAFEP

30. Darshan

31. Deanne Uyangoda

32. Deekshya Illangasinghe

33. Deshamanya Godfrey Yogarajah

34. Dharsha Jegatheeswaran

35. Dharshini N. Vijayaruban

36. Dinushika Dissanayake – Attorney-at-Law

37. Dr. Farzana Haniffa – University of Colombo

38. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya – Senior Lecturer, Open University of Sri Lanka

39. Dr. Kalana Senaratne – Senior Lecturer, University of Peradeniya

40. Dr. Mahendran Thiruvarangan – Lecturer (Probationary), University of Jaffna

41. Dr. Malathi de Alwis – Visiting Faculty, University of Colombo

42. Dr. Muttukrishna Sarvananthan PhD – Senior Lecturer (Grade 1), Department of
    Economics, University of Jaffna, & Founder & Principal Researcher, Point Pedro
    Institute of Development, Point Pedro

43. Dr. P. Lakshman – Consultant Cardiologist, Teaching Hospital Jaffna

44. Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu

45. Dr. Ranil D. Guneratne

46. Dr. Ruvan Weerasinghe – University of Colombo

47. Dr. S. Kumaravel – Regional Director, Health Services (Acting), Kilinochchi

48. Dr. S. Mathurahan

49. Dr. T. Balamurukan

50. Elil Rajendram

51. Emil van der Poorten – In defence of human rights

52. Enthiran Pirarththana

53. Ephraim Shadrach

54. Ermiza Tegal – Attorney-at-Law

55. F. Zackariya – Social Activist and Researcher

56. Farah Mihlar

57. Francis Raajan

58. G. A. Prabath Kumara – Chief Coordinator, Future In Our Hands Development Fund,
    Badulla

59. Gankeswari

60. Geethika Dharmasinghe

61. Gehan Gunatilleke – Attorney-at-Law

62. Godfrey Malarnesan

63. Gowsiya

64. Gowry
65. Gowshy
66. Gowtham

67. Harshana Rambukwella – Open University of Sri Lanka

68. Hasanah Cegu Isadeen (LLM) – Attorney -at –Law

69. Herman Kumara

70. Inestan

71. Inshira Faliq

72. Ishan Jalill

73. Ishara Danasekara

74. Isuri Kaviratne

75. Ithayarani Sithravel

76. J. Jegatheesan

77. J. Lingham

78. Jake Oorloff

79. Jananey Jayaratnarajah

80. Janarthana Sarma
81. Jayaroshman Shanmuganathan

82. Jegatheesan Thayalini

83. Jehanki Anandha

84. Jensila Majeed

85. Jeyabaliny Gobal

86. Jeyachandran Thurka

87. Joanne Senn

88. Juwairiya Mohideen

89. K.D.M.S. Nilashani

90. K.J. Brito Fernando

91. K.S. Ratnavale – Attorney-at-Law

92. Kalaivanie

93. Kalani Subasinghe

94. Kamalavani

95. Kanagalingam Moganeswary

96. Kanapathipillai Kumanan

97. Kanthimathi

98. Karuppiya Seelan
99. Kastro
100. Kathirkamanathan Hemalatha
101. Kesawarasa Kuyilini
102. Kirisanth Selvanayagam 
103. Kirishanth

104. Kiristina

105. Kugathasasarma Sarangasarma

106. Kulanthaivel Sunithrathavi

107. Kulanthaivel Thavanithy

108. Kuperan Sivroobi

109. Kusal Perera – Journalist

110. Lakmali Hemachandra – Attorney-at-Law

111. Leeladevi Anandanadarajah

112. Loretta de Alwis

113. Luwie Ganeshathasan – Attorney-at-Law

114. M.A.F. Ajra (LLB hons) – University of Jaffna
115. M.F.A. Rahman

116. 1. M.H.M. Hisham

     2. M.N. Asokan

     3. M. Sivakumar

     4. Mahaluxmy Kurushanthan

     5. Mahendiran Nirmala
     6. Mahinathan

     7. Mangaleswary Shanker – Attorney-at-Law

     8. Mario Arulthas

     9. Mario Gomez

     10. Marisa de Silva

     11. Mary

     12. Mathubala

     13. Meerabharathy

     14. Melani Manel Perera – Journalist

     15. Mohan Nagarajah
     16. Monisha
     17. Munza Mushtaq – Journalist
     18. Murugaiya Sivasuthan 

     19. N. Sumanthi

     20. Nagamani Yamuna

     21. Nakamuthu Inpanayakam

     22. Nalaka Gunawardene – Writer

     23. Nallathamby Pirathajini

     24. Navaranjini Sureka Nadarajah

     25. Nicola Perera – University of Colombo

     26. Nigel Nugawela

     27. Nilshan Fonseka

     28. Nirmanusan Balasundaram – Journalist

     29. Nishandeny Ratnam – Attorney-at-Law

     30. Nitharshan

     31. Nithila Mariampillai

     32. P. Nagendhran

     33. P. Selvaratnam – Women for Justice and Peace in Sri Lanka

     34. P. Vasanthagowry

     35. P.M. Mujeebur Rahman (LLB)

     36. P.N. Singham

     37. Padma Pushpakanthi 

     38. Pavanna Sena

     39. Pavithra Kailasapathy

     40. Perinparaja Diksala

     41. Periyannan Srikanthy

     42. Piragala

     43. Prabu Deepan

     44. Prasanna Mandalanayagam

     45. Priya Mohan

     46. Priyalal Sirisena

     47. Prof. Ajit Abeysekera

     48. Prof. Arjuna Parakrama – University of Peradeniya

     49. Prof. Ashwini Vasanthakumar

     50. Prof. Prabhath Jayasinghe – University of Colombo

     51. Prof. Priyan Dias – University of Moratuwa

     52. Puvenesvary

     53. Qadri Ismail

     54. Rajany Chandrasegaram

     55. Rajaretnam Sureniya

     56. Ratnasarma

     57. Rev. Fr. Aloysius Pieris, S.J.

     58. Rev. Fr. Jeevantha Peiris

     59. Rev. Fr. Jeyabalan Croos

     60. Rev. Fr. M. V. E. Ravichandran

     61. Rev. Fr. Nandana Manatunga

     62. Rev. Fr. Rohan Dominic

     63. Rev. Fr. S.D.P. Selvan

     64. Rev. Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda

     65. Rev. Fr. Terence Fernando

     66. Rev. Fr. V. Yogeswaran

     67. Rev. Fr. Vincent CMF

     68. Rev. M. Jude Sutharshan

     69. Rev. Nandana Saparamadu – Diocese of Colombo

     70. Rev. Sr. Nichola Emmanuel

     71. Rev. Sr. Noel Christine Fernando

     72. Rev. Sr. Rasika Pieris HF

     73. Riza Yehiya

     74. Rohini

     75. Rohini Hensman (Writer, Researcher and Activist)

     76. Roshani

     77. Ruki Fernando

     78. S. Prasila

     79. S. Pratheepan

     80. S. Thanujan – Joint Secretary, Mass Movement for Social Justice, Jaffna

     81. S.G. Nishanthini – Women’s Rights Activist

     82. Sabra Zahid

     83. Sadathavi Nagalingam

     84. Sahayam Thilipan – Coordinator, Forum for Affected Families, Mannar

     85. Sakthvel Jeya

     86. Sakuntala Kadirgamar

     87. Sampath Samarakoon – Editor, www.vikalpa.org

     88. Sandun Thudugala

     89. Sanjana Hattotuwa – Founding Editor of Groundviews

     90. Sanjayan Rajasingham

     91. Sankhitha Gunaratne

     92. Sarah Arumugam

     93. Saseestkanth Pathmarajah
     94. Sathiyaseelan Nithika

     95. Sellathurai Sivathasan

     96. Selvanathan Thakeeran

     97. Selvaraj Rajasegar

     98. Selvaranie

     99. Selvarasa Thileepan
     100. Shaanu

     101. Shalomi Daniel

     102. Sham

     103. Shamala Kumar – University of Peradeniya

     104. Shamara Wettimuny – University of Oxford

     105. Shambath

     106. Shamila Rathnasooriya

     107. Shan Nalliah

     108. Shanil Wijesinha – Attorney-at-Law

     109. Sheila Richards

     110. Shivantha Rathnayake

     111. Shreen Saroor

     112. Sinaththambi Seetha

     113. Sinnathurai Ketheeswary
     114. Sinthuka Vivekananthan

     115. Sivam Prabaharan – Coordinator, Up-Country Social Research Centre

     116. Sivarasa Mariyarosalin
     117. Sritharan Eswary 
     118. Sritharan Kopika

     119. Subha Wijesiriwardena – Women and Media Collective (WMC)

     120. Sugi Thiru

     121. Sunanda Deshapriya – Sri Lanka Brief

     122. Sutha

     123. Swasthika Arulingam – Attorney-at-Law

     124. Tanuja Thurairajah

     125. Tasha Manoranjan

     126. Thambirasa Selvarani

     127. Thamotharampillai Suganthini

     128. Thanuja Mathavarasa
     129. Tharmika Sivarajah – Attorney-at-Law
     130. Tharshan Selvam 
     131. Thasan

     132. Thava Sagaym Ranjana

     133. Thayaparan Kanistan
     134. Theepshi
     135. Thenmoli

     136. Thiagi Piyadasa – Attorney-at-Law

     137. Thiyagaraja Waradas – University of Colombo

     138. Thurka Krishnasamy

     139. Thyagi Ruwanpathirana

     140. Ushananthini

     141. V. Inthrani

     142. Vanie Simon

     143. Vanitha Mahendran

     144. Vasuky Rajendra

     145. Vinayagamoorthi Thivviya

     146. Vipitha Sagari

     147. Vipulan Shanmini

     148. Viraj Kalinga – Social Activist

     149. Vraie Cally Balthazaar

     150. Yajna Sanguhan

     151. Yalini Dream

     152. Yamini Ravindran

     
     Organisations

     153. Adayaalam Centre for Policy Research

     154. Affected Womens’ Forum (AWF)

     155. Alliance Development Trust (ADT)

     156. Centre for Community Development Movement

     157. Centre for Human Rights and Development (CHRD)

     158. Centre for Justice and Change (CJC)

     159. Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA)

     160. Families of the Disappeared (FoD)

     161. Human Rights Office (HRO), Kandy

     162. International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES)

     163. Jaffna Sangam – LGBTQ Community

     164. Mannar Women’s Development Federation (MWDF)

     165. Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR)

     166. National Fisheries Solidarity Organization (NAFSO)

     167. Praja Abhilasha Network 

     168. Right to Life (R2L) Human Rights Centre

     169. Sri Lanka Campaign (SLC)

     170. Vallamai – Movement for Social Change

     171. Women’s Action Network (WAN)