February 25, Colombo (LNW): The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has expressed deep concern over a growing number of complaints lodged against the police, citing serious allegations of torture, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, harassment, and inadequate responses to grievances.
These alarming claims were highlighted during a recent discussion aimed at addressing critical human rights issues within the Sri Lanka Police force.
The HRCSL revealed that it has been inundated with complaints involving police officers, many of which involve disturbing reports of violence and misconduct.
Torture, in particular, has been a recurring issue, with numerous citizens alleging abuse at the hands of law enforcement.
Additionally, there are increasing accusations of arbitrary arrests and unlawful detentions, along with instances where the police have failed to act on complaints made by victims of human rights violations.
During the dialogue, the commission acknowledged that the newly appointed police leadership is working to improve the situation, and there are efforts underway to address these systemic problems.
However, the HRCSL also stressed that much more needs to be done, particularly in holding perpetrators accountable.
The police force has set an ambitious target to drastically reduce the number of human rights violations within the next year, though details on how they plan to achieve this remain unclear.
One area of particular concern raised by the HRCSL was the role of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Sri Lanka Police, which is tasked with investigating police officers accused of committing severe human rights abuses, including torture and enforced disappearances.
The commission highlighted the disturbingly low rates of prosecution and conviction in such cases, underscoring the need for greater accountability within the force.
Moreover, the HRCSL voiced its concerns regarding the rights of human rights defenders, particularly their freedom to peacefully protest against government policies without fear of harassment or retaliation.
The commission called for stronger protection of these individuals, who play a crucial role in advocating for the rights of vulnerable communities.
Another area of focus was the lack of representation of female and Tamil-speaking officers within the police force. The HRCSL noted that this issue is particularly problematic in regions with significant Tamil populations, where the absence of Tamil-speaking officers can lead to miscommunication and discrimination.
In response, the Sri Lanka Police assured that future recruitment campaigns would address this imbalance.
The HRCSL also stressed the need for better training for police officers, particularly those who deal with sensitive cases involving women, children, online gender-based violence, and the LGBTQIA+ community. The Commission called for comprehensive training programmes that would equip officers to handle such cases with the utmost care and professionalism.
Acting Inspector General of Police, Priyanthya Weerasooriya, responded by confirming that the police have initiated actions under the Torture Act of 1994 to address allegations of abuse. He also agreed to issue advisory notes aimed at protecting human rights defenders, preventing custodial deaths, and safeguarding the rights of transgender individuals.
Additionally, the Acting IGP committed to raising awareness among officers regarding the HRCSL Act, which provides protections for commission officials from legal action.
