Human rights
US-BASED agency Human Rights Watch says in its report for 1997 that international relief agencies face obstacles when attempting to operate in conflict areas in Sri Lanka. At least two agencies were barred from operating in the eastern province for several months and the prohibition did not appear to be motivated by security concerns. International agencies were allowed to work only with government institutions in Army-held Jaffna and not permitted cooperation with local independent NGOs. This policy discouraged some agencies from seeking permission to work in the Jaffna peninsula and caused others to withdraw. The report also says arbitrary arrests, torture, rape, extra-judicial executions and some new disappearances of Tamil civilians by members of the security forces and armed groups working alongside the military, continued in 1997. The LTTE was also accused of arbitrary killings of civilians and taking hostages.
The US State Department’s human rights report for 1997 classifies impunity as a serious problem in Sri Lanka. It observes that no arrests were made in connection with large number of disappearances in Jaffna. The lack of progress in some cases and investigation or prosecution in others gave the impression of immunity for those responsible for human rights abuses.
The report says that torture by security forces is another serious problem. Methods of torture included electric shock, beatings, suspension by wrists or feet, burnings and near drownings. Victims were forced to remain for extended periods with bags laced with chillie, petrol or insecticide over their heads. Detainees have reported broken bones and other serious injuries as a result of mistreatment.
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