Joint urgent appeal — Sri Lanka (3/2014)

Alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of three human rights activists. According to the information received, on 13 March 2014, Ms. Balendran Jayakumari, a human rights activist working on the issue of enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka, and her 13-year-old daughter, were arrested in Kilinochchi by soldiers on suspicion of sheltering a fugitive. A 16-day detention order was subsequently issued against Ms. Jayakumari under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), and her daughter was handed to a childcare institution. Ms. Jayakumari was reportedly physically assaulted by the soldiers. On 16 March, Mr. Ruki Fernando and Rev. Praveen Omi, two human rights defenders, were arrested by officers from the Terrorist Investigation Division in Kilinochchi while looking into the arrests that were made on 13 March. They were detained and questioned under the PTA and afterwards transferred to Vavunia, and then Colombo, for further questioning. On 19 March, both men were released without condition. Reportedly, the police announced that Mr. Fernando, and possibly Rev. Praveen Omi, will be the subject of further investigations. Serious concerns are expressed that the arrest and detention of Ms. Jayakumari, Mr. Fernando and Rev. Praveen Omi may be linked to their legitimate human rights activities. Alleged victims: 3 More details...

External references

• UN Special Procedures reference: lka-jua-3-2014
• Full case text