By Easwaran Rutnam
A group of UN experts scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka this week may seek access to military camps to investigate allegations of torture.
The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture is set to carry out its first visit to Sri Lanka from 2 to 12 April to examine the treatment of people deprived of their liberty and the safeguards in place for their protection against torture and ill-treatment.
Human rights groups have urged the UN body to visit Police detention centres as well as Army and Navy camps accused of being torture cells.
When contacted by The Sunday Morning, Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) Human Rights Officer Armen Avetisyan refused to comment on the places the committee had sought access to.
“Since the visit has not started yet, I am not in a position to provide any information about the visit. Please note kindly that the work of the SPT is guided by the principle of confidentiality. However, as far as your query is concerned, according to the OPCAT Article 4, each State party shall allow visits to any place under their jurisdiction and control where persons are or may be deprived of their liberty,” Avetisyan said.
The four-member SPT delegation will meet government officials and hold discussions with relevant ministries, as well as meeting with the Human Rights Commission and civil society organisations.
Their talks in Colombo will focus on advising and assisting the Sri Lankan authorities regarding the measures they must take to be in compliance with the obligations contained in the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture.
A group of UN experts scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka this week may seek access to military camps to investigate allegations of torture.
The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture is set to carry out its first visit to Sri Lanka from 2 to 12 April to examine the treatment of people deprived of their liberty and the safeguards in place for their protection against torture and ill-treatment.
Human rights groups have urged the UN body to visit Police detention centres as well as Army and Navy camps accused of being torture cells.
When contacted by The Sunday Morning, Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) Human Rights Officer Armen Avetisyan refused to comment on the places the committee had sought access to.
“Since the visit has not started yet, I am not in a position to provide any information about the visit. Please note kindly that the work of the SPT is guided by the principle of confidentiality. However, as far as your query is concerned, according to the OPCAT Article 4, each State party shall allow visits to any place under their jurisdiction and control where persons are or may be deprived of their liberty,” Avetisyan said.
The four-member SPT delegation will meet government officials and hold discussions with relevant ministries, as well as meeting with the Human Rights Commission and civil society organisations.
Their talks in Colombo will focus on advising and assisting the Sri Lankan authorities regarding the measures they must take to be in compliance with the obligations contained in the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture.