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| Sunday, 15 January 2006 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Security
measures and Social trust
by Rt. Revd. Duleep de Chickera, Bishop of Colombo The changing culture of violence has once again brought about cordon and search operations. Ever since, I have been receiving concerned inquiries from the Clergy of our Church as to what can be done to prevent the situation from worsening due to these measures. While most people understand the need for these operations the utmost care must be taken to ensure that these measures do not become counter productive. If not, the cycle of fear and resentment could further polarise people and communities and project the feeling that the State harasses its own people. In this connection it was refreshing to read of DIG Miskin's instructions to his Police Officers in the Uva District that the people should not be harassed during these operations. His request that trust be built amongst the communities during and in spite of these operations is to be commended. As a wider trust building gesture it will be useful for the Ministry of Defence to publicly inform the people of the civic intention of these measures and the manner in which they will be conducted. A people friendly approach need not be incompatible with the efficient security measures. A clear demonstration of the need for public safety for all, including the persons being searched and questioned, is imperative for trust building in this approach. We must keep in mind that at the end of the day an overwhelming majority of those questioned or whose houses are searched will be innocent and will carry some memories of their experience. The State must strive to ensure that the element of grievance is minimised in these memories. The following guidelines will help build social trust while ensuring security: 1. The presence of a responsible officer and women security officers when houses are searched. 2. Utmost concern for the feelings of children when uniformed officers enter a house, specially at night, to question parents and older siblings. We will never know the trauma such an experience could cause children in particular. Politeness and a smile and a friendly word with a child reduces fear. 3. Any oral resistance must be met with professional non-violent firmness. Limited force should be used only if and when violence is anticipated. 4. Appropriate signed documents must be given to the next of kin when persons are taken away for further questioning. Their whereabouts and the right of access to them must be made known. 5. Those taken in should be provided with the basic facilities and treated with dignity. Secure detention places other than Military Camps and Police Stations, and perhaps administered by civilian officers, should be set up. Any allegations of intimidation, physical violence or torture must be investigated forthright by the DMO whose report should be copied to the next of kin. 6. Those taken in for further questioning should be produced before a Magistrate according to the law and investigations completed according to the law and then charged or released without delay. The rules applicable to the Emergency Regulations should be followed in letter and spirit. 7. Where such operations are conducted in poor and vulnerable communities, responsible civil society readers, such as the Clergy, should be allowed to intervene and make representations on behalf of the families. Personal bail from such persons should be considered. 8. Trauma Counselling for those directly affected by the experience of
these search operations should be planned and offered, but through trained
persons from civil society. |
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