[asia-apec 1056] Sri Lanka: 55th Session of UN Commission of Human Right

[AHRC Urgent Appeal]

URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT 

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
URGENT APPEAL PROJECT                               UA Index: 33199
**********************************************************************
UA 15/99:     UN Commission on Human Right             31 March 1999 

SRI LANKA: 55th Session of UN Commission on Human Right
***********************************************************************

A Special Request - Relating to discussions at the 55th session of the UN
Commission on Human Rights 

We are making this request at a very special moment. As the United Nations
Human Rights Commission has started its session the delegates have begun to
arrive. Very much in the agenda of discussions is the disappearances issue
about which we have kept you informed.(Any person who wants further
information can refer to the Web-site www.is2.hk.super.net/~ahrchk) 
Sri Lankan disappearances issue in particular has been taken up, as the
largest number of disappearances (over 26,800 according to official record)
has taken place there. If significant action is taken at the Commission,
this will help to prevent future occurrences and set a precedent regarding
other
countries.

Now, much will dependant on the position that will be taken by the official
government delegation on this issue. We understand that this delegation
does understand the seriousness of the problem as three government
Commissions have submitted reports giving details of how disappearances
occurred and establishing a systematic practice of disappearances. The
delegation however, has not yet decided to commit itself to take serious
action to deal with the issue. A show of concern at this stage can be most
helpful and likely to produce a good result. The issues raised are that
systematic practice of disappearances must be treated as a crime against
humanity and effective action should be taken on that basis; that Criminal
investigation must be held into these cases, if necessarily with the help
of international Community and the culprits must be brought to justice.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Asian Human Rights Commission will focus on the worsening human rights
situation especially regarding disappearance in Sri Lanka. AHRC has published
its findings and recommendations. A draft resolution relating to
disappearance in Sri Lanka is included in the slim 60 page publication. 
The booklet is being distributed to the UN Human Rights Commission, concern
Human Rights Organisations and individuals. The publication and the
resolution is now available at out website <www.is2.hk.super.net/~ahrchk>

In a memorandum to the UN Working Group on Involuntary and Enforced
Disappearances AHRC have summed up the basic issues relating to the Sri
Lanka’sdisappearance issue.  

At the AHRC web-site [www.disappearances.org] you will find many documents
giving further details on the disappearances issue including the Sri Lankan
situation.  The main document of three commissions of inquiry into
involuntary removal and disappearances of person in Sri Lanka, is being
made available at this web-site.  

We hope that Human Rights Organisations would actively support the resolution
during this 55th Session. 

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

It will be most helpful if you write urgently to make your concern known.
Kindly encourage others also to do so. As the Sri Lankan government
delegation is at Geneva, you may contact them through the Sri Lankan
consulate in Geneva.

--------------------- Suggested letter ---------------------------------

Dear Sir,

I am writing at this stage to make my deep concern known on the issue of
disappearances. I am sure you are committed to eradication of this practice
and to take suitable action for this purpose. I very much urge you to use
this occasion of the gathering of the United Nations commission to publicly
show the resolve of your government to take decisive steps on the basis of
finding of facts by the Commissions appointed by the government itself. I
particularly urge that systematic practice of disappearances  be treated as
a crime against humanity and effective action should be on that basis;
that Criminal investigation must be held into these cases, if necessarily
with the help of international Community and the culprits must be brought
to justice. Your decision at this stage can help to better the image of
your government and also better the lives of the people. Kindly bring this
message to the notice of the Sri Lankan delegation attending the United
Nations Human Rights Commission sessions.

Thank you

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SEND APPEAL LETTER TO:

Hon. Ambassador
Permanent Mission and Consulate General of Sri Lanka
56, Rue De Moillebeau, 
5th Floor, 1 209, 
Geneva 19 
Switzerland. 
Fax: (41-22) 734 9084 
E-mail: mission.srilanka at itu.ch


SEND COPIES TO:

Ms. N. Font de Berlioz
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disapperance
Room D-121
UN Centre for Human Rights
United Nations Office 
Palais des Nations
CH-1211, Geneva 10
Switzerland
Tel: [4122] 917 3945
Fax: (4122)  917 0022
Email: nfontdeberlioz.hchr at unog.ch

and Sri Lanka’s diplomatic representatives in your country

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
You may re-post this message on to other sources provided the main text is
not altered in any way and the header crediting the Asian Human Rights
Commission (AHRC) remains intact.

Please remember to send a copy of your letter to: ua at hk.super.net
***********************************************************************
Urgent Appeal Project              Tel: +(852)-2698-6339
Asian Human Rights Commission      Fax:+(852)-2698-6367
Unit D, 7 Floor, 16 Argyle Str.    Email: ua at hk.super.net
Mongkok Commercial Centre          http://www.hk.super.net/~ahrchk
Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR CHINA 
                                   
***********************************************************************
Visit the Asian Human Rights Commission's Campaign For Recognition of
State-sponsored Disappearances as a Crime Against Humanity website:
http://www.disapperances.org