TNA wants to inspect ‘secret’ detention camps and info on Tamils in detention

Image: A mother of a disappeared on rotating fast in Kilinochchi, for 149th day waiting for justice. (c)s.deshapriya.

Leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R. Sampanthan has requested the government to disclose the names of all persons who were in Custody at that time the present Government assumed office and the places in which they were held in custody and the names of persons now held in custody and the places in which they are now held in custody.

Further it requests that representatives of families of missing persons would be enabled to visit ‘secret’ detention Camps, in which some persons have allegedly been held in custody, and which these families have become aware of.

This requests are included in a adjournment motion moved by the Sampanthan in the parliament today.

The full text of the adjournment motion follows:

24^th July 2017

Adjournment Motion –I.T.A.K/T.N.A

Hon Speaker

Parliament of Sri Lanka

I give notice that I shall on the adjournment of Parliament on 25^th July ,2017 move the following motion relating to a matter of urgent public importance

Whereas the issue of “missing persons” particularly in the Northern and Eastern parts of Sri Lanka has been a serious issue for some time.

And whereas families of missing persons have in the past several months been carrying on peaceful demonstrations in all Districts in the Northern and Eastern Provinces to highlight this issue, and to impress upon the Government the urgent need to bring this issue of ”Missing persons” to a satisfactory closure.

And whereas these families of missing persons have been interacting with Government and have been assured that the following steps would be taken:-

1. the names of all persons who were in Custody at that time the present Government assumed office and the places in which they were held in custody, would be made public and

2. the names of persons now held in custody and the places in which they are now held in custody would be made public.

3. that representatives of families of missing persons would be enabled to visit ‘secret’ detention Camps, in which some persons have allegedly been held in custody, and which these families have become aware of ;

4. that the Office of Missing persons would be operationalized in terms of the law enacted in August last year, and that through this process, the families of these missing persons, would have the opportunity through various steps, that could be taken when the law becomes functional to bring this painful issue faced by the families, to some acceptable closure. This would bring to an end the trauma of uncertainty, and lack of any reliable information whatever, which the families currently face.

And whereas (iv) above has been initially fulfilled, and by the required notification ,the Law relating to the office on missing persons enacted on 23^rd August 2016,has been made operational .And whereas the Commitments made at (i) (ii) and (iii) above have not yet been fulfilled. And whereas the fulfilment of the Commitments at (i) (ii) and (iii) above are fundamental to the families of the missing persons, acquiring confidence in the whole process ,which is critical to the success of the whole process ,and genuine reconciliation.

It is reiterated that the building of confidence in the families of the “Missing persons” is fundamental to the success of this whole process, and genuine reconciliation.

Release of relevant information which only the Government possesses and has the Capacity to officially release, should be a first step. in the commencement of the process relating to the implementation of the law on the office of Mission persons.

This Motion urges the Government as a matter of urgency to fulfill the Government’s commitments stipulated at (i), (ii) and (iii) above, and without delay commence the process at (iv) above.

R Sampanthan

Member of Parliament

Leader of the Opposition