Salem-News.com Sri Lanka articles Page 4

The Real Story of Balendren Jeyakumary and her 13 Year Old Daughter P. Vibushikka

During the arrest on 13 March 2014, the mother was abused, insulted and assaulted by the uniform people. No women were present while the two females were interrogated. They were not given any refreshment of food for the night.

(COLOMBO) - After having lunch at about 3.30 pm when Vibushikka was at the door, a stranger wearing a maroon color t-shirt and black trousers, carrying back pack, stormed into the house saying “if you shout I will strangle your neck”.

Both mother and daughter came out of the house shouting for help.

VIDEO: Tamil Girls Tortured, Sexually Abused by Sri Lankan Army

The scenes inside this video are chilling to say the least, and there is no question that this is what the UN calls sexual violence.

(SALEM) - New video emerged just a few hours ago of male Sri Lankan soldiers snapping Tamil girls' buttocks with tree branches while forcing them to do awkward push-up exercises with their feet two or more feet in the air.

They are also forced to low crawl in a military style training environment, as the soldiers walk alongside bringing the crude torture devices down over and over again on the young women's backsides.

Chairman Menendez Expresses Support for an International Investigation Into Sri Lankan War Crime Allegations

"We must be united in our message to the government of Sri Lanka: the international community will remain vigilant until we see concrete and credible accountability and genuine political reconciliation."

(WASHINGTON DC) - Chairman of the prestigious Foreign Relations committee, Robert Menendez, wrote UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay to express his support for a resolution at the current session of the UN Human Rights Council that calls for an international investigation into Sri Lankan war crimes committed during that country’s civil war.

In the letter, Senator Menendez notes “that the Committee is concerned with the deteriorating environment for the democratic process and human rights in Sri Lanka.”

Just Someone I Know

All over the world at this very moment men are subjecting other men to the vilest of abuse. Listen to the news, watch it, see the anger writ large on faces where 'clashes of violence erupts'. Is there a place on earth where there is no clash of violence?

(LONDON) - Ruki Fernando is my friend. I was introduced to him years ago when I was working on a film and needed some help. Another friend put us in touch with each other and ever since then we have remained friends, meeting spasmodically when he visits Britain.

The last time I saw him was on a winter's afternoon when he came to lunch.

Arrest of Mother, Daughter Worsens Public Opinion of Sri Lanka

Arbitrary arrest of a mother and her 13-year-old daughter who have protested over the disappearance of the woman's 15-year-old son five years ago, brings more international pressure.

(SALEM) - The mother, Mrs. Balendran Jayakumari, and daughter were arrested last week, near Kilinochchi. An outspoken mother of the disappeared, Jeyakumari, was arrested by the government on terrorism related charges.

It has been announced that Jeyakumari, who is currently being held in Boosa camp, will serve 18 days detention, under the country's tough anti-terrorism law. Her daughter is being held in a separate location.

UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has Mandate to Order Inquiry Into International Investigations

The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam has from day one, called for an International Independent Investigation, a protection mechanism, and a referendum for the Tamils.

(NEW YORK) - The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms.Navi Pillai stated that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has the mandate to order an inquiry into International Investigations.

On the 17th of March the High Commissioner for Human Rights met with the NGO representatives and the civil society in the presence of members of her office.

SRI LANKA: Immediately Release Human Rights Defenders Mr. Ruki Fernando and Rev. Praveen Mahesan

Human Rights Ambassador for Salem-News.com has received information from reliable sources about the arbitrary arrest and interrogation of two activists based in Jaffna.

(WASHINGTON DC) - On March 16, 2014, Mr. Ruki Fernando and Rev. Praveen Omi were arrested as they were visiting the heavily militarised area of Kilinochchi, North of Sri Lanka, in order to investigate into the arrest on March 13, 2014 of human rights defender Ms. Balendran Jeyakumari and her 13-year old daughter Vithuskaini, who have been campaigning against enforced disappearances.

They were also arrested and interrogated by the TID.

SRI LANKA: Arrest of Anti-Disappearances Campaigners Underscores Need for a Strong Resolution at the UNHRC

Only a strong resolution will cause Sri Lanka to believe it can no longer persecute Tamils without damaging international repercussions.

(GENEVA) - Recent arrests highlight the need for a strong resolution at the UN Human Rights Council and David Cameron’s duty to ensure the safety of human rights defenders who approached him during his visit.

When the UK Prime Minister David Cameron visited Sri Lanka in November 2013 against the will of much of the British Tamil community, he reasoned that he would use the opportunity to go to the North of the island and see the situation with his own eyes.

Sri Lankan `Soldier` Claims Chemical Attack on Tamil Civilians

In the video, a Sri Lankan soldier claims LTTE cadre trapped on the beach were eliminated with the use of chemicals.

(COLOMBO) - NewsX accesses chilling visual evidence of death of destruction in Sri Lanka. The video report below reveals a chilling account of a Sri Lankan soldier confessing to war crimes.

The Sri Lankan soldier says the army used chemical weapons on trapped civilians at the end of the country's civil war.

Sri Lanka: Draft resolution HRC 25 14 March 2014

25/1. Promoting reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in Sri Lanka

(GENEVA) - The following is draft resolution 25 regarding Sri Lanka, at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. Sri Lanka was convicted of Genocide late last year in the Permanent People's Tribunal, for crimes against the Tamil people.

Sri Lanka ditched every effort geared toward accountability and now is in the process of answering to the crime of Genocide.