(COLOMBO) – Sri Lanka’s topmost legal fraternity on Tuesday vehemently condemned the Police Department for extra judicial actions that includes a recent police assault of a suspect that necessitated the surgical removal of one testicle from the victim.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) said in a statement that the April 9 incident was particularly alarming and raised the chilling specter of the country’s descent into a police state.
It expressed its utmost outrage and horror at the recent reports regarding the assault of a young man allegedly perpetrated by officers that necessitated the surgical removal of one of the young man’s testicles.
“Such reprehensible acts not only contravene the fundamental principles of justice and human rights but also violate international instruments such as the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
“Furthermore, we underscore the obligations enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which unequivocally prohibits torture or any form of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. Such actions also stand in stark violation of Article 11 of the country’s Constitution, which too guarantees freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
“The BASL is also deeply concerned about custodial deaths with the cause for such deaths being attributed to dubious circumstances including the purported attempts of detainees to escape, necessitating officers having to discharge their fire arms.
“The BASL has consistently condemned these and similar acts by law enforcement officials, recognizing them as egregious breaches of the rule of law. This recent incident is particularly alarming, raising the chilling specter of a descent into a police state. The people of Sri Lanka have a fundamental right to live free from fear of violence from those entrusted with their protection. The Constitution guarantees them this right, and the BASL will not tolerate its erosion”, the statement added.
