ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION – URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Urgent Appeal Update: AHRC-UAU-014-2016

14 July 2016
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(Re: AHRC-UAC-085-2016: SRI LANKA: Suspect in rape of 14-year-old girl released without proper investigation)

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SRI LANKA: 14 year old rape victim reveals that a woman constable beat her at the police station

ISSUES: right to fair trial; right to remedy; due process of law
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Dear Friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information revealed by the young victim herself, which we wish to bring to your notice. On the 7th of July when she went to the Haputale Police station, a police woman constable, had beaten the young girl, and told her that when she is taken to the judicial medical officer, not to reveal that she had been raped by the bus driver. She had been beaten with a cane several times on her waistline and threatened her not to tell her story to the doctor – the Judicial Medical Officer (JM0). Despite such threats and being beaten by the police woman constable the young girl has revealed detailed information about her ordeal to the JMO of everything that had taken place during the abduction and rape.

The conduct of the woman police constable at the Haputhale police station needs to be thoroughly investigated and she should be dealt with for the attempted sabotage of justice.

UPDATED INFORMATION:

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information revealed by the young victim herself, which we wish to bring to your notice.

On the 7th of July when she went to the Haputale Police station, a police woman constable, had beaten the young girl, and told her that when she is taken to the judicial medical officer, not to reveal that she had been raped by the bus driver.

She had been beaten with a cane several times on her waistline and threatened her not to tell her story to the doctor – the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO). Despite such threats and being beaten by the police woman constable the young girl has revealed detailed information about her ordeal to the JMO of everything that had taken place during the abduction and rape. She has explained to the JMO that she had been raped twice on the same day by the bus driver and that she was threatened by the woman police constable not to reveal her ordeal to anyone, threatening that if she reveals anything her father and mother and everybody in the family will be killed”.

The conduct of the woman police constable at the Haputhale police station needs to be thoroughly investigated and she should be dealt with for the attempted sabotage of justice.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The a 14-year-old girl was abducted and raped by her school bus driver on 19th June 2016, she was later threatened by the police to keep quiet saying that her parents and other family members would be killed. Despite the family members filing a complaint with the Haputale Police Station, the case has not been investigated. The alleged suspect, who belongs to a wealthy family, was simply released, without him being produced before a Magistrate. The victim’s family says that as they belong to an ethnic and religious minority in the region, the police have not given them attention in their quest for justice. The case illustrates the collapse of the rule of law in the country.

SUGGESTED ACTION:

We urge you once again to request the Sri Lankan authorities to investigate and take prompt action regarding the abduction, rape and the attempted sabotage of justice by woman constable at the Haputhlae police station

To support this case, please click here:

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear ………………..,

SRI LANKA: 14 year old rape victim reveals that a woman constable beat her at the police station

Name of Victim: Daughter of Ms. Violet Rose of Thotugala Estate, Haputale, Badulla District, Uva Province.
Alleged perpetrators: Officers – woman constable attached to the Haputale Police Station
Date of incident: 7 July 2016
Place of incident: Haputale Police Division

Dear Friends,

I have received updated information which have been revealed by the young victim herself about the incident of her rape by a bus driver in Haputhale, Sri Lanka.

On the 7th of July when she went to the Haputale Police station, a police woman constable, had beaten the young girl, and told her that when she is taken to the judicial medical officer, not to reveal that she had been raped by the bus driver.

She had been beaten with a cane several times on her waistline and threatened her not to tell her story to the doctor – the Judicial Medical Officer (JM0). Despite such threats and being beaten by the police woman constable the young girl has revealed detailed information about her ordeal to the JMO of everything that had taken place during the abduction and rape. She has explained to the JMO that she had been raped twice on the same day by the bus driver and that she was threatened by the woman police constable not to reveal her ordeal to anyone, threatening that if she reveals anything her father and mother and everybody in the family will be killed”.

The conduct of the woman police constable at the Haputhale police station needs to be thoroughly investigated and she should be dealt with for the attempted sabotage of justice.

The a 14-year-old girl was abducted and raped by her school bus driver on 19th June 2016, she was later threatened by the police to keep quiet saying that her parents and other family members would be killed. Despite the family members filing a complaint with the Haputale Police Station, the case has not been investigated. The alleged suspect, who belongs to a wealthy family, was simply released, without him being produced before a Magistrate. The victim’s family says that as they belong to an ethnic and religious minority in the region, the police have not given them attention in their quest for justice.

I therefore, your good offices, once again to immediately intervene in calling and ensuring that a thorough investigation is conducted and that prompt action is taken regarding the abduction, rape and the attempted sabotage of justice by woman constable at the Haputhlae police station.

I look forward to your prompt action in this matter.

Yours Sincerely,

……………….

PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

1. Mr. Pujith Jayasundara
Inspector General of Police
New Secretariat
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 440440 / 327877
E-mail: igp@police.lk

2. Mr. Jayantha Jayasooriya PC
Attorney General
Attorney General’s Department
Colombo 12
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 436421
E-mail: ag@attorneygeneral.gov.lk

3. Secretary
National Police Commission
3rd Floor, Rotunda Towers
109 Galle Road
Colombo 03
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 395310
Fax: +94 11 2 395867
E-mail: npcgen@sltnet.lk or polcom@sltnet.lk

4. Secretary
Human Rights Commission
No. 36, Kynsey Road
Colombo 8
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 694 925 / 673 806
Fax: +94 11 2 694 924 / 696 470
E-mail: sechrc@sltnet.lk
Thank you.