Human Rights Hotline
Rasika Somarathna
The Public could access the hotline on 011-2676513 and 060-2119246
A 24 hour rapid response hotline to clarify queries regarding
arrests, detention, suspected abduction and disappearances will be
launched today by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights.
Ministry sources said persons who seek information would be able to
clarify matters in all three languages - Sinhala, Tamil and English.
The objective of creating this hotline is to enable the public to
obtain information whether a person is or is not in official custody.
Operators can also direct callers to access law-enforcement
Authorities to initiate investigations into such cases, sources said.
The hotline is to be in operation for eight months initially until
December, with the initiative to be assessed after that on the basis of
the need. The Ministry said this step was taken to ensure that laws on
arrest and detention are fully implemented - particularly where
emergency regulations are invoked- especially the implementation of the
Presidential direction on arrest and detention.
It also said that the Ministry had received information that in the
context of ongoing security operations aimed at preventing and
investigating acts of terrorism people have been taken into custody with
subsequent investigations as to their bona fides.
Others have been allegedly abducted for collateral purposes such as
demanding of a ransom and family members were anxious to clarify their
whereabouts and safety, it said. According to Ministry sources, the
Minister for Disaster Management and Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe
had consulted senior officers of the AG department, the Police, Armed
services, HR commission and Ministry officials before finalising matters
pertaining to the proposed hot line.
The proposed hotline accessible to people through out the country is
to be housed in the Disaster Management Centre under the purview of the
Ministry. |