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Immediate Help Desk for detainee information Minister Samarasinghe draws attention to Presidential Directive on humane treatment [Monday, December 03, 2007 - 12.35 GMT]
A Help Desk for information to the public about persons arrested and or detained by Police and Security Forces in the recent roundup of suspect persons in Colombo and the suburbs is to be set up immediately by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights (MoDM&HR). This Help Desk will use the Disaster Management Centre’s Hotline, on which the public could call and ascertain if a person is detained by the authorities.
The contact numbers for this 24-hour/7-day Help Desk are 2670002 (Voice) and 2779979 (Fax).
The Police have been directed to share the list of names of persons detained with the relevant authorities, including the MoDM&HR and the Human Rights Commission (HRC).
This action has been taken by the Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe, acting on the instruction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, following the many representation made to the President regarding the persons detained by the authorities in the last few days.
The Minister who personally inspected some of the detention centres, met with detainees to ensure they were being treated humanely and with respect to their dignity, has directed the police to share the list of names of persons detained with the relevant authorities including the MoDM&HR and the HRC.
Minister Samarasinghe has brought to the attention of the Police, all relevant authorities, and the public, the Presidential Direction on “Arrest, Detention and matters incidental thereto” of June 2006 which was re-circulated in April 2007 by the Ministry of Defence, Public Security and Law and Order, to ensure that all arrests made comply with the guidelines issued by President Rajapaksa for the safeguarding of Human Rights of persons arrested or detained.
At a meeting with senior officials concerned with the arrest and detention of persons held today (December 03) Minister Samarasinghe emphasized the Government’s commitment to safeguarding the human rights of all persons arrested and detained; the firm policy on zero-tolerance of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of persons in custody. It was further stressed that all arrests and detentions must be carried out strictly in accordance with the law.
The Minister added that in the present security environment, the Police and armed services should be strengthened and supported in their efforts to prevent acts of terrorism and loss of life. However, while investigations must be carried out to the fullest extent permissible under the law to protect innocent lives, all reasonable measures necessary to protect the rights of individuals detained should be taken.
Senior officers of the MoDM&HR, the Police - including the CID and the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) and the HRC participated in today’s meeting with the Minister to ensure compliance with the President’s directive on the arrest of persons and treatment of detainees.
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