Grave concerns for three doctors in Sri Lanka
Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of three government employed medical doctors who are being held in detention by the Sri Lankan government..
The men had been working in the conflict zone in north eastern Sri Lanka until 15 May. Dr T. Sathiyamoorthy, Dr T. Varatharajah and Dr. Shanmugarajah were treating the sick and wounded until they reportedly travelled out of the ‘No Fire Zone’ with approximately 5,000 other civilians.
According to reports received by Amnesty International, Dr. Shanmugarajah and Dr. Sathiyamoorthy, the regional director of health services in Kilinochchi, may be currently held at the Terrorist Investigation Division (T.I.D) in the capital Colombo. However, a detention order has not yet been issued so their relatives remain unsure of their whereabouts and they do not have access to a lawyer. Dr T. Varatharajah, the regional director of health services in Mullaitivu, was seriously injured and is reported to have been airlifted from the Omanthai crossing point to an unknown destination by the Sri Lankan Air Forces (SLAF).
Amnesty International fears that they may be held in reprisal for providing information about civilians in the conflict zone. The doctors provided eyewitness reports to the media and the international community from hospitals and makeshift medical centres in the conflict zone. Their reports detailed the suffering of ordinary civilians, many of whom died from war-related injuries. Their reports also highlighted continuous shelling of areas with large concentrations of non-combatants.
Comments
viji | Posted on 1 June 2009, 06:15PM | Report comment
Eddy,
Tnx for ur comment, but Im not advocating LTTE but LTTE is much better than SL Goverment regards to human rights, bye the way did u ever hear about killing 103 people including babies (5) IN NAVALI - JAFFNA - SRILANKA in 1995 by SL air force. That was not terriost camp but IT WAS CHURCH & GOVERMENT ASK US TO GO THERE IF ANY ARMY OFFSENSIVE TOOK PLACE IN THAT TIME. I know we should not mix with the politics but SPEAK FOR VOICELESS not for the ABUSER. One more consideration for you.. like you said ur opnion wait & see.. do we need 2 see another RWANDA in SL..
Wake up guys… cannot hide the MISTAKE but truth will come & we will be ashamed of ourself for WAIT & SEE APPROACH.
Note: I hope Tamils land also got somes OILS OR GAS then AUSTRALIA could help us like they helped to EAST TIMOR..
eddy | Posted on 31 May 2009, 09:35PM | Report comment
The arrested Doctors should be released if they are not involve with the ex ltte group.AI should not get politically involved with terrorism.We have to adopt a wait and see attitude instead of jumping before passing judgement on the Government.Fair Go.
viji | Posted on 26 May 2009, 09:27PM | Report comment
I would not be shocked if Sri Lankan goverment excute them. I born in Sri Lanka & go through all the violence aganist the innocent. I hope they will get the justice for who look after those voiceless people
Michael Wild | Posted on 25 May 2009, 11:20PM | Report comment
These men should be treated as heroes not criminals or worse. There is absolutely no excuse for their detention and mistreatment. Now that the war is over there is no possible excuse for these men to be treated badly or for security personell not to be held held to account.
Philip Kidner | Posted on 25 May 2009, 11:10AM | Report comment
I continue to be ashamed about the behaviour of the Sri Lankan military, with apparent support from the Government, in treating citizens of the Tamil area of Sri Lanka with serious violence and suffering. It is the responsibility of every legitimate Government to protect its citizens from all forms of harm, and especially from physical abuse by its own authorities.The arrest and detention of Dr T. Varatharajah and Dr. Shanmugarajah, who have been working to provide for the healing of citizens injured in the recent conflict is abhorrent. They should be released immediately.