|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 6 July 2003 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Bindunuwewa massacre judgement : Human Rights groups hail quick court action by P. Krishnaswamy Human Rights groups have welcomed the expeditious manner in which the Colombo High Court handled judicial proceedings of the massacre at the Bindunuwewa rehabilitation camp in Bandarawela and urged similar expeditious action on other such cases pending before the courts. Twenty-seven inmates were massacred and 14 wounded on October 25, 2001, by violent mobs which stormed the camp. Last Tuesday (July 1), the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar, comprising three High Court judges, passed death sentences on two police personnel and three civilians after a 57-day trial. The "Sunday Observer" sought the views of two prominent local human rights groups - the Movement for Defence of Democratic Rights (MDDR) and the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA)- on this issue. Excerpts of their comments: MDDR consultant Wimal Fernando: :"On this massacre, the law took its normal course and the suspects after trial were convicted. But, unfortunately, this was not so in several other similar cases. We are referring to the mass grave cases at Nikaweratiya, Embilipitiya, Sooriyakanda and Homagama. Except for the Embilipitiya case, we do not know where the trials stand now on the other cases. "The Chemmani mass grave case is still going on. All these should be expeditiously disposed of in a similar manner as the Bindunuwewa case. The rule of law should be applicable to everyone irrespective of whether they are politicians, members of the armed forces or police." CHA Executive Director Jeevan Thiagaraja: "The Bindunuwewa camp was meant for the rehabilitation of ex-combatants. There were inmates who were free to go home. This was run by the State which, in turn, was responsible for the inmates. "The judgement was based on individual responsibility for the incident. Sentence has been passed on five individuals. "I believe there were several administrative personnel who were genuinely interested in the welfare of the inmates. "Their good work for the rehabilitation of the inmates has gone up in smoke." Mr. Thiagaraja said that "the question of compensation for the families of the deceased should be looked into". He added, "I am subject to correction but I hope some of the remains may still be lying at the Colombo morgue awaiting disposal." |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
