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NEWS : Disappearance of Hindus
TO Circle
FROM Jim McDonald, AIUSA Shri Lanka Coordinator
RE Follow-up to UA 222/96
DATE October 24, 1996
Amnesty International issued the following statement
today as a follow-up to UA 222/96. For more information
on Amnesty's work on Sri Lanka, please visit
http://www.amnesty.org/
or
http://www.derechos.org/saran/lanka.html
24 October 1996
Further information on UA 222/96
(issued 20 September 1996) - 'Disappearances'
SHRI LANKA
Krishanthy Kumarasamy (female), aged 18, student
Rasammah Kumarasamy (female)
Pranaban Kumarasamy (male), aged 16, student
Kirupakaran Sithamparam (male), aged 35,
peon (office messenger)
Subramaniam, municipal council worker (male)
Ganeshu Sri Ram, student (male)
According to several sources, the bodies of Krishanthy
Kumarasamy, her
mother, Rasammah Kumarasamy, her brother, Pranaban
Kumarasamy and their neighbour Kirupakaran Sithamparan
were recently found in shallow graves during
investigations into their 'disappearances'. The precise
location of the graves and time of their discovery is
not yet known.
Krishanthy Kumarasamy had 'disappeared' after she was
stopped at an army sentry point at Kaitadi, Jaffna
district, on 7 September 1996. Her mother, brother and
neighbour went missing on the same day after they made
inquiries at the sentry point.
Following appeals from local members of parliament and
human rights organizations, an investigation into their
'disappearances' had been initiated by the military
police. It is reported that two soldiers and
two policemen have been taken into custody on suspicion
of being responsible for their arrest and subsequent
killing in detention. Another member of the security
forces may be taken into custody soon in connection with
the case.
There is no further news about the fate or whereabouts
of Subramaniam and Ganeshu Sri Ram.
Amnesty International welcomes the news that members of
the security forces suspected of being responsible for
the 'disappearance' and subsequent killing of Krishanthy
Kumarasamy, her mother, brother and neighbor have been
taken into custody. Amnesty International urges the Sri
Lankan government that (a) a speedy, impartial and
independent investigation under a civilian authority be
established forthwith to ascertain the precise
circumstances of their 'disappearances' and killing; (b)
the safety of witnesses for such investigation be
ensured; and (c) those responsible be brought to justice
in civilian courts. Amnesty International continues to
be deeply concerned about the fate of Subramaniam and
Ganeshu Sri Ram and again urges the Sri Lankan
government to swiftly investigate their whereabouts and,
if there are no recognizable criminal charges against
them, to release them immediately and unconditionally.
Source - Amnesty International
Forwarded by sraman@dcs.cambridge.ac.uk (Sitha. Raman)
Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi jai@eskimo.com jai@mantra.com
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