MARCH 2017

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Many of the victims interviewed by theMany of the victims interviewed having justITJP are deeply traumatized arrived in Europe. point out that they have been specificallypoint out that they have to leave Sri Lanka.warned by their captors Foundation for Human Rights in South Africa. Human Rights in South Foundation for and in documentation The ITJP specializes from outside the country gathering evidence shortly aftervictims who leave Sri Lanka instances, victimstheir release. In some committed in Sri Lanka both during the Sri Lanka both during committed in and itsof the civil war in 2009 final phase by the project is administered aftermath. The The ITJP was established in December 2013 in December was established The ITJP regarding evidence to emerging in response humanity against and crimes war crimes URU Alm.del Bilag 139 Bilag Alm.del URU Offentligt Udenrigsudvalget 2016-17 Udenrigsudvalget “The worst torture I experienced ever was in Joseph Camp and in the 4th Floor. CONTENTS The interrogators and the translator seemed cheerful, talking loudly, laughing all while inflicting torture.”

MALE WITNESS (2009)

FOREWORD ...... 5

INTRODUCTION...... 9

Methodology ...... 9

Witness Profile ...... 10 “…Joseph military camp in Vavuniya (Security Force Headquarters for JOSEPH CAMP ...... 14 Vavuniya) or the CID “Fourth Floor” Detentions ...... 15 detention facility in Colombo had rooms that were set up with torture Interrogations ...... 21 equipment, illustrating the premeditated Torture and Sexual Violence ...... 28 and systematic nature of the use of torture by units of the Sri Lankan Bribery and extortion linked security forces.” to detention and exfiltration ...... 38

Perpetrators ...... UNITED NATIONS1 38 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 43

Annexure 1: Other reports on Joseph Camp Torture ...... 47

Annexure 2: UN references to impunity for torture and sexual violence ...... 52

Endnotes ...... 55

XX2 3 Vanni Security Force JOSEPH CAMP Headquarters (SFHQ-W) FOREWARD COMMANDERS

This is a case study dealing military commanders believing in possession of evidence with just one of Sri Lanka’s they have the license revealing that the officer who many known torture sites2 to torture and perpetrate ran military intelligence in and is based on 46 detailed sexual violence. Joseph Camp at the end of the testimonies from survivors war was also rewarded with a and a wealth of supporting The extent of torture prestigious UN peacekeeping documentation. The violations – and the prevalence of posting in 2015. This level 2016-PRESENT: 2012-16: 2011-12 MAJOR GENERAL depicted in this report are interrogation rooms equipped of impunity does not bode MAJOR GENERAL MAJOR GENERAL JEEWAKA RUWAN horrifying but by no means with manacles, chains, well for accountability in BONIFACE PERERA SUMEDHA PERERA KULATUNGA represent the totality of pulleys and other instruments Sri Lanka. suffering inflicted in Joseph of torture - cannot be Camp. We identified many more ignored or wished away. It is It is hard for a report victims who were tortured hardly likely that successive like this to do justice He took part in all major He took part in almost all major Appointed Deputy Chief of Staff in in Joseph Camp from whom we military commanders of to the cruelty routinely offensives in Northern Sri Lanka. offensives against the LTTE and was the Army (February 2016). He served could not take testimony this torture and detention perpetrated inside Joseph the commander of the East during under the former defence secretary From 2005-7 he was an Infantry because time and resources site can claim not to have Camp. Survivors, even Brigade Commander in Muhamalei, the war and then the Competent in the Gajaba Regiment in Matale did not permit. known about the extensive abroad, are still struggling Jaffna. After the war he ran the Authority for displaced war in 1989 (alongside Shavendra Silva military academy until in 2012 survivors in the northern region. and Jagath Dias). He was Brigadier violations. At the end of the to regain their lives, becoming the Commander of the 55th General Staff SFHQ-W in 2009. This huge army garrison in civil war in May 2009, the wracked by physical pain Infantry Division, in Jaffna. He He was a member of the Military the heart of Vavuniya Town camp was used to interrogate and psychological trauma, Court of Inquiry set up to received a gallantry award three has been a well documented and torture large numbers plunged into poverty, lonely times for his role in the “Counter investigate allegations raised by Terrorist Operation”. Channel 4 news. site of torture for the last of people suspected to be and often suicidal in exile. three decades and represents, members of the Liberation We thank them for their at least for Sri Lankan Tigers of Tamil Eelam or extraordinary courage in Tamils, a potent symbol LTTE. The Government condoned recounting some of of impunity. Successive these violations and several their darkest days; they did governments, including those of them occurred when so in the hope that speaking of Chandrika Kumaratunga, General Jegath Jayasuriya out will prevent others Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mahinda was the commander of the suffering in the same way in Rajapaksa and Maithripala site. Instead of being held the future. Sirisena have all failed to accountable for these serious 2009-2011 2007-2009 MAJOR GENERAL MAJOR GENERAL investigate past violations crimes he was promoted KAMAL GUNARATNE JAGATH and prevent future ones. and rewarded by becoming Yasmin Sooka The most recent case of army commander in July Johannesburg torture and rape that the 2009. After the change of ITJP documented in Joseph government in 2015, he was Camp took place as recently given a diplomatic posting Sources: Sri Lankan SFHQ(W) website, http://www. In charge of the 53 Division during After the war he became the army.lk/sfhqwanni/ and Sri Lanka Army site, 8 as December 2016. Political to Brazil from where he is November 2016, http://www.army.lk/news/major- the last phase of fighting. In 2012 Commander of the Army and and then general-jr-kulatunga-assumes-office-commander- he was sent as deputy Ambassador the Chief of Defence Staff. He is inaction and denial on also accredited to Argentina, security-force-wanni to Brazil. He is part of the Gajaba currently Ambassador to Brazil, the part of the political Chile, Peru, Colombia and Regiment and also Special Forces. Columbia, Peru, Chile, Argentina leadership have resulted in Suriname. The ITJP is also 4 and Suriname. 5 KEY FOR TIMELINE

TIMELINE ITJP CASES

UK ASYLUM BUNDLES

HOME FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CASES

CHRD CASES

FREEDOM FROM TORTURE CASES

OTHER CASES 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

6 7 ITJP WITNESSES INTRODUCTION

40 6 40

This is the latest in a recent allegations of extremely useful as they series of reports from ongoing violations and provide corroboration for the ITJP that profile the a persistent culture of the written testimony. MEN WOMEN LTTE continuing and endemic impunity, articulated in nature of violations recent reports from the TARGET: perpetrated by Sri Lanka’s United Nations.4 security forces during The main criteria the ITJP the final phase of METHODOLOGY utilised for selecting the civil war in 2009 witnesses was detention and its aftermath.3 This INTERVIEWS: for a minimum of 3 days at report highlights the the Vanni Security Force 9 15 42 criminality of security Six ITJP investigators Headquarters, also known force investigations and conducted extensive as the Joint Operational the pervasive violations confidential individual Security Forces and abuses perpetrated interviews with 46 Sri Headquarters (JOSFH), or against detainees, in Lankan Tamils based in more commonly “Joseph particular torture and the UK and Switzerland Camp”. The witnesses FORCED RECRUITS WHITE VANNED TO TORTURED IN sexual violence. This has that lasted several days. chosen were held in Joseph TO LTTE JOSEPH CAMP JOSEPH CAMP resulted in a “culture In those instances where Camp during the final of torture”, that is statements had already phase of the war or since systemic and reinforced been taken by the ITJP 2009 and up until the end by institutional as part of its previous of 2016. impunity that protects documentation work and individual perpetrators where Joseph Camp was SECURITY: as well as those with mentioned but not dealt command responsibility. with in depth, the ITJP There is still intense 24 32 10 conducted follow-up fear among witnesses This report focuses on interviews focusing on abroad of reprisals Sri Lanka’s war time past this site. In addition, against family members as well as the violations new witnesses were living in Sri Lanka. and abuses perpetrated interviewed on their As a result, information during the last two years experiences of Joseph Camp has been edited to RAPED/SEXUALLY MILITARY POLICE under the administration with 14 of them providing ensure no identifying VIOLATED INTERROGATORS INTERROGATORS of President Sirisena. sketches of the sites information is revealed IN JOSEPH CAMP The violations and abuses where they were detained about individuals. documented in this and interrogated. These report are confirmed by sketches by victims are 8 9 CONFIDENTIALITY: identified an additional are women, ranging in ages leaders, but also threatened with torture 59 cases where a from 22 to 55 years; most administrative and support if they did not inform ITJP investigators, suspect had been are currently in their staff including drivers, on their colleagues. interpreters and staff are detained in Joseph Camp thirties. Joseph Camp was administrative staff and Their espionage work bound by confidentiality but not specified positively identified by medics. Others were brought them into close agreements; victims were whether they had been all 46 of the witnesses. involved in various parts contact with Military informed of this before tortured there; For many, Joseph Camp was of the LTTE’s civilian Intelligence activities starting the interview. one of several locations administration support; at Joseph camp resulting - 4 affidavits pertaining of their unlawful this included the finance, in them providing helpful SAFE SPACE: to Joseph Camp torture detention and torture. judicial and computer detail on issues of in 2009 shared by an A large number of cases sections; one was a senior abduction, torture, sexual ITJP investigators took NGO, based in Colombo, relate to 2009 and 2010, police officer, who was violations, detention and great care to ensure that the Centre for Human during the closing stages subsequently redeployed to other activities. victims of torture and Rights Development; and aftermath of the the frontlines. Several sexual violence felt safe conflict, when detention witnesses admitted Three witnesses were with the investigators, - Annexure 1 has numbers ballooned and membership during their targeted because of their interpreters and collected published intelligence gathering surrender or later in connection to relatives the locations used for historical references reached a climax. Of the the IDP camps in response who had been in the LTTE, the interviews. to 49 allegations 28 witnesses who were held to repeated threats three non-LTTE members of torture dating from at Joseph Camp during this for cadres to identify were accused of assisting OTHER MATERIAL CONSIDERED: 1984 to 2015 in Joseph period, shockingly seven themselves. Many the LTTE and two others Camp taken from reports had subsequent repeat were identified by other were detained in 2015 in The ITJP obtained, with of the UN, human rights experiences of unlawful captured cadres. connection with the permission of the organizations and detention, torture and peaceful democractic witness, detailed court rulings.5 abuse at the camp between Nine witnesses said they political campaigning medical and psychiatric 2012 and 2016. had been forced to join against the government. records, including medico- - The NGO Freedom the LTTE; most in the final legal records (MLRs). It From Torture reported LTTE MEMBERSHIP / months of the conflict, also examined: that it had at ASSOCIATION late 2008 and early 2009.6 last 11 recent cases of - An additional 8 UK Sri Lankans tortured in All but two witnesses The witness base provides asylum bundles from Joseph Camp. had links, or what the particulars on a varied Joseph Camp survivors; Sri Lankan security set of experiences within In total this represent forces considered to be the LTTE and distressing - A spreadsheet of 28 146 individuals alleging links, to the LTTE or its detail about the final Joseph Camp torture torture in Joseph Camp, administration at some months and days of cases (occurring from spanning 32 years from stage, though in some the war, and the final 1987 to 2014) 1984 to 2016. cases many years in the surrender in mid May 2009. documented inside past. Most of the (40 This includes compelling Sri Lanka and shared WITNESS PROFILE witnesses) were directly testimony on some key from the archives of involved with the LTTE or incidents relating to the NGO, Home For Human This report is based on its administration, of other war crimes and human Rights, in Sri Lanka. the testimonies of 46 which 33 men and 6 women rights violations not This organization also witnesses unlawfully were in combat or related analysed in this report. indicated that it had detained in Joseph camp, structures. This included 11 on more than one several, including Several witnesses, occasion, over a ten year some senior, members of who had been LTTE period between August units responsible for members, subsequently 2008 and December 2016. intelligence, media, became informers for 40 witnesses are men, 6 logistics and close Military Intelligence 10 protection of senior after being tortured or 11 MALE WITNESS DETAINED IN 2009

“I was held in one of three large cells that each held 10-20 men. Each of the cells had an iron bar door with a metal sheet partially covering it and no windows. It was always quite dark. The walls were cement and felt like they had been painted.”

TWO OTHER MALE WITNESSES, DETAINED IN 2009 AND 2013, DESCRIBED SIMILAR CELLS.

12 13 torture and other cruel, for men and a separate TRANSFER TO JOSEPH CAMP inhuman or degrading facility for women, and JOSEPH CAMP treatment or punishment five interrogation areas, Most witnesses were either visited the Camp and again four for men, one transferred to Joseph met officials there. for women. The map clearly Camp, either directly from Considering the size of shows the proximity of their original point of the camp, and limited time MIC offices and quarters. capture or surrender to spent there, it is evident The ITJP has attemtped to the Sri Lankan security a comprehensive search was transpose this sketch on forces, or subsequently not possible or indeed to google earth maps. from the IDP camps, undertaken. Further detail “rehabilitation” or other of the layout of the DETENTIONS detention sites as they camp and its facilities were identified and pointed MILITARY HUB Military Intelligence at interact in terms of has subsequently been The number of detainees out by informers working Joseph Camp were also overlapping mandates. secured, which would held at any one time with the army. Several Joseph Camp has been a responsible for turning expedite a more detailed appears to have varied. detainees also describe major hub for military scores of captured LTTE ILLEGAL DETENTION SITE investigation. This is During the final stages being brought to Joseph and counter terrorism members into informers to still necessary, and of the war and immediate Camp intermittently for operations in the northern work with the security That Joseph Camp was as such, the Special post surrender period, interrogation from other districts of Sri Lanka. forces and to handle other used for torture or ill- Rapporteur’s visit can and there was an increase in detention places. For At the peak of the informers. These informers treatment, including should not be construed detainee traffic through many though, Joseph Camp war, both military and were important assets for sexual violence, has as the final word on the the facility. was one in a string of police operated from the the military in their been well documented by matter or confirmation that detention places. Most base; this included the efforts to deconstruct the OHCHR Investigation Joseph Camp is not a site Those in charge took were brought individually, Military Intelligence the LTTE’s command and into Sri Lanka9, as well of detention and torture. some steps to keep details some in small groups. One Corps (MIC), and other resource infrastructure. as human rights groups of the physical location witness describes being military units, including They maintained quarters over decades. The OHCHR CAMP LAYOUT of Joseph Camp a secret transferred with 90 other the Sri Lankan Airforce, in the camp and were Investigation, which from those detained and LTTE members in May 2009; as well police units issued with Sri Lankan covered the period 2002- Joseph Camp is a vast abducted. Prisoners were another in a group of such as the Terrorism security force identity 11, made it clear that compound spread over mostly blindfolded 30 in August the same year Investigation Division documents and even in some Joseph Camp was not a large area that or hooded when entering from Rambaikulam camp: (TID), responsible cases weapons. an officially gazetted incorporates an airstrip. and exiting the camp, for counter-terrorism detention site10; there The exact coordinates of as well as when moving investigations and threats Public information is no indication that “During the its eastern perimeter from transportation to internal security . The about the camp and its has changed and yet transport we were 7 boundary are unclear vehicles to cells, and ITJP took statements from operations is limited. The it continues to be on the map provided in between the cells and not blindfolded 6 witnesses held in Jospeh Sri Lankan army website used for intelligence this report. The ‘camp’ the interrogation rooms. Camp in 2015 and 2016. provides sparse detail gathering, interrogations, in my group but is located in Vavuniya, They describe driving They report being detained on the background and investigations and related close to the town’s centre through checkpoints, over we couldn’t see and tortured by the Sri history, but does provide unofficial detentions. and is surrounded by speedbumps, then being led Lankan military and the a basic organisational anything because of residential communities to cells. None provided TID, identifying them overview of Divisions, UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON the black windows A number of official significant descriptions of based on how the officers Brigades and affiliated TORTURE VISIT entrances to the base are and we were told to the facilities from the introduced themselves and Battalions based at the distinct. The ITJP welcomes the outside but some, who were sit on the seats what clothing or uniforms camp.8 There is no public fact that that the United not blindfolded, described they wore. information about other A map of the Military Nations was given access seeing big trees, an security force units that Intelligence Corps (MIC) to Joseph Camp in May earthen embankment near are based at the camp, if facilities at the camp 2016. A team accompanying, the exit, a big metal gate and how these groupings provided by one insider Juan Mendez, the then and lion statues. may have or still do witness sets out five Special Rapporteur on 14 detention sites, four 15 JOSEPH CAMP PERIMETER OUTLINED

SECTION MATCHED TO WITNESS DRAWING (SEE PAGE 18)

APPROXIMATE EASTERN BOUNDARY

XX16 XX17 MAP COMPARISON TO MALE WITNESS DETAINED IN 2009

1 MALE INTERROGATION ROOMS

2 FEMALE INTERROGATION ROOMS

3 MILITARY INTELLIGENCE COMMANDER OFFICE

4 CELLS FOR MALE DETAINEES HELD BY MILITARY INTELLIGENCE

5 MILITARY INTELLIGENCE QUARTERS

6 MAJOR GAMAGE’S OFFICE

7 CELLS FOR FEMALE DETAINEES HELD BY MILITARY INTELLIGENCE

8 GENERAL JEGATH JAYASURIYA’S OFFICE

18 9 QUARTERS FOR INFORMERS 19 and look at the “I was having my my back with a piece there was a space uniform, but most screams and cries from detainees report being the interrogation room or vehicle floor. I dinner at home in of cloth.” of 25 cm between my kept only in their holding cells.16 heard sounds of Mullaitivu when we head and the ceiling underwear during their Most detainees, including Male Witness in 2014 other vehicles and heard a knock on the when I was standing incarceration. A few women, were held in were allowed to keep solitary confinement during One female witness loudspeakers during door. My mother went up. There was a their clothing. their detention at Joseph interviewed by the ITJP normal squat toilet Camp, and had very limited the transport, which to open the door and was “white vanned” on Conditions were generally interaction with other two occasions to the camp, and a small sink took less than half five men in civilian filthy and cells did not prisoners although some in 2009 and again in a an hour. We drove clothing entered in one comer and have ablution facilities. were held with others for later year. with high speed on the house, pushing I had to sit in the Some witnesses held brief periods of time. One underground, described woman described being held a smooth surface. her aside and came HOLDING CELLS other corner.” having to knock on the in a cell in 2010 with

The vehicle slowed to me and grabbed door of their cell for a four girls aged 16 or 17 Witness descriptions of Male Witness in 2010 long time before a guard years; they were all made down and drove over me. My mother asked cells vary in detail, escorted them to the to sit naked with their with most giving some a couple of bumps. them why they were “It was a very small toilet, which typically hands and feet tied. description, and 14 did not have a door.13 The vehicle slowed doing that, but they providing sketches from room. I could not In many cases, detainees memory. Common to all INTERROGATIONS down or stopped and warned us we should lie down fully it were provided with a accounts was that cells I heard the sound of not make any sounds. was that small. bottle to urinate in and did not have windows and In May 2009, the a plastic bag in which to a gate being opened. One man put a pistol were not lit. Witnesses I could not sleep outpouring of 282,000 defecate, and periodically describe cells at ground people from the LTTE After we passed the to my head and properly there taken to empty them. Some level and cells that controlled areas gate we drove about warned that if any were taken to wash were underground, though because they would afforded military and regularly, others not at two minutes and the one screamed they a few were held in a 2 police intelligence an also put the water all. One witness spent storey building. Most were unprecedented opportunity vehicle stopped. would shoot me. The on the floor.” almost three months purpose built as detention to establish a more without an opportunity to We got out of the men spoke in broken cells with metal bars or detailed picture of Female Witness in 2013 clean himself. doors.Ten male witnesses LTTE personnel and vehicle. I now saw Tamil. My mother was described being led down infrastructure. A massive that we were inside begging and pleading CONDITIONS Many detainees described 10 to 15 steps into an intelligence gathering receiving a plate of food an army camp.” but they dragged me underground cellblock. and assessment process Detainees were held slid under their cell Some cells were large and ensued that included an to the vehicle, a at Joseph Camp for door; it was cold and of Male Witness in 2009 held up to 20 array of security and anywhere between a few very poor quality to the white (Toyota Hiace) detainees.11 Other were intelligence personnel days and several months. point of being inedible.14 ABDUCTION dolphin, which was noticeably tiny12: beyond the Joseph Camp Three witness spent A few received some basic teams. Corruption at times parked outside. over eighteen months medical attention (one In 15 cases, witnesses hampered its effectiveness; “The cell was very incarcerated at the camp. was hospitalised) but were abducted from home, The men never asked several wanted LTTE figures None was visited by the most did not, despite the checkpoints or on the road small, I could not or their close family for my name or my ICRC at Joseph Camp or by injuries sustained during and transferred to Joseph members escaped the stretch out my legs family members. interrogation and at the Camp. This man’s account ID. They pushed me country by paying bribes end of the war.15 of being abducted in 2014 inside the vehicle while tying, I’m to members of the very Two detainees mentioned is typical: maybe about 1.7 to lie face down on being handcuffed in the There was limited the floor between the metres tall. The holding cells, secured communication between room was about one to metal hoops embedded detainees, and presence seats. Someone tied of others was sometimes meter wide and maybe in the concrete floor. 20 my hands behind Experiences were not only heard through 21 MALE WITNESS DETAINED IN 2009

“When the blindfold was removed I saw metal chains with manacles hanging from the ceiling. I also saw pipes, wooden batons and there was blood splattered on the old cement wall. The room had no windows but there was a small table and a chair. I was on the floor on all fours after I was kicked. Someone came and stood on my hands and stamped on them with their boots.”

22 23 security forces supposed detainee was supposed to particular importance. remained a continuing hammers, and pliers wood and it was shut Witnesses were also theme throughout the to be hunting them. confirm. The objectives to pull out finger behind me.” were not always clear, shown photographs of period under review, Over the years since 2009 but the statement pool corpses to identify. including the most recent and toe nails. There Male Witness in 2016 a more coordinated and provides an overview cases from 2016. This would be a table and systematic approach was of the core issues the • Detail on movement of also ties directly to RECORD KEEPING increasingly employed interrogators focused on: ordinance and location cases involving security chair in the room, to corroborate existing of weapons caches, force assertions of LTTE handcuffs and chains, It is fair to assume intelligence, with the • Establishing and / communication equipment revival, and related pulley and rope that the responsible whereabouts of cadres or confirming and LTTE records / planning and financing, authorities generated a and buried weapons being biographical information, documentation. At the which is used to justified to hang people on substantial record of prioritised. Today nearly with a focus on end of the war several continued militarization. the ceilings.” the detainees who passed eight years after the end admissions and details detainees were taken from It is also evident that through their hands. Many of the war, the mopping of membership and Joseph Camp to identify interrogators have tried Male Witness in 2009 interrogations culminated up exercise has mutated; associations with the where weapons had been to tie these cases to in the signing of the continued process LTTE, including the roles buried in the conflict detainees who were “This room had a “confessions”. While some of covert abduction and of family members and area. Some made false picked up in connection detainees were presented torture that drives friends. Several admissions simply to stop with protests and table and 2 chairs with blank papers to victims out of the detainees had relatives the torture, only to face demonstrations from and two men were sign, most were forced country now targets LTTE who were senior in further abuse when they Tamil communities to sign documents, whose supporters, political LTTE structures or had were unable successfully relating to unresolved sitting in the content was written or activists or low level siblings, cousins or to identify the location disappearances and chairs and another typed in Sinhala, which cadres and forced/child uncles/aunts in core of caches. In recent continued militarization. one was standing. most Tamil detainees recruits who pose little LTTE functions. years there has been did not understand. military threat. In several cases, an emphasis on locating Within Joseph Camp, All of them were No interpretation was witnesses were hidden UXO, suicide detainees were wearing civilian offered. A number of In general, interrogations physically identified jackets and belts, or interrogated in several witnesses mentioned that in Joseph Camp were by other captured LTTE landmines, which it is different locations and clothes, they did they were photographed replete with violence and cadres already working feared could be used to were often naked during not have weapons. and fingerprinted; one intimidation; several with the security forces, “restart the LTTE”. the process.18 Many I could see blood mentioned video and audio witnesses described being including at Joseph Camp interrogation rooms were equipment. Administrative in constant fear of being or by cadres who had • Detail on LTTE well equipped and often stains on the processing was sometimes shot and were repeatedly been planted by infrastructure and stained with the blood of walls. There were conducted in a separate warned to cooperate, Colonel Karuna. logistics, related role previous victims: no pictures on the room to interrogations. not only in the formal and responsibilities of Detainees were interrogations, but in • Identification of LTTE LTTE personnel. walls. There were “In the interrogation sometimes beaten during asides from the LTTE cadres and leadership, pipes that were these processes. informers working with either in person or • Detail on location of room, they had Military Intelligence. through photographs.17 hidden valuables, such as all the objects of filled with something Some witnesses buried gold, and money. torture in the room in the middle, thick Interrogrations varied in participated in physical wires and wooden methodology and levels of identification at the • Detail on LTTE alleged before the detainee intensity; interrogators point of surrender, in revival and links to the was brought in. batons – the size Tamil diaspora. did not always ask direct detention centres and IDP This included barbed of a wicket. There questions rather making camps, and at Joseph Camp were no windows, statements that the itself (the use of a one- Statements reflect an wire that was put in way mirror was mentioned intensification of efforts a hollow pipe that but there was a in one statement). to locate weapons caches ventilation shaft. Identification of those in the final stages and would be inserted who had not been killed immediate aftermath of into an anus, The door was made of 24 or detained was of the war. This focus has 25 MALE WITNESSES DETAINED IN 2014 AND 2009

“They took me down about 10-15 steps. I was put in a cell. They removed my blindfold and the handcuffs. Everything in the room was bare cement; the door had metals bars and metal sheeting. There was a small hole at the top of the door where the guards could peek through. There were no windows and no lights inside. The cell smelled of urine and dirt.”

“I walked down about 10-15 steps and was made to turn left inside a cell. I heard the creaking sound of iron gates. Inside the cell a person removed my blindfold. The cell was about small the walls and floor made of cement. The door was made of iron.”

TEN WITNESSES DESCRIBED GOING DOWN STEPS TO 26 UNDERGROUND CELLS. 27 MALE WITNESS DETAINED IN 2009

“He asked me to sign the document he had written by hand in Sinhala. I saw there was a video camera in front of me; I don’t know if it was filming me. I also saw a voice recorder. He ordered the others to take my photo and fingerprints. Another soldier told me to sign on several blank pieces of paper.”

28 29 As the years went by, the also corroborate previous such as being urinated on inflicted with long my anus whilst the time. It was a case of and being made to strip term consequences. mistaken identity: interrogators often took allegations about sexual I was chained from notes or brought with abuse perpetrated on both naked and ridiculed. Torture methods included: “They pushed me them existing files on the male and female prisoners Torturers routinely falaka, asphyxiation the ceiling.” inside and face down suspect. For example, one by security force members, used derogatory ethnic (most commonly a plastic 20 witness detained in 2011 including senior officers. language, referring to bag soaked in petrol put Male Witness in 2016 onto a table with 21 in another army camp and Forty two witnesses (all their victims as “Tamil over the head but also four legs sticking forced to confess of the women and 35 men) dogs” and “Tamil slaves”. using chilli22), kicking, to things he had not in this study provided slapping and beatings “I was tortured up. They removed actually done to stop the graphic details of their In some cases detainees with wooden batons and severely for the my shorts and tied torture, found when he torture at Joseph Camp, had to witness others plastic pipes, whipping first three months was later in Joseph Camp in most instances on more suffering torture: with metal wires and each leg and arm that the new interrogator than one occasion. Those cables, suspension from daily. They punched to the four posts picked up where the last who were not tortured in “I saw a man’s head pulleys or hooks in the on my face, hit with sticking up from ceiling and various forms one had ended and knew Joseph Camp were torured a metal rod, hit all the details of his elsewhere in detention. put in a plastic of water torture. This the table top. One false confession. Since Many witnesses in this petrol bag and he was often done while the on the sole of my soldier brought a the information wasn’t study also experienced was choking. He had victim was tied up. There feet with a wooden pipe in one hand and true, it could only have multiple incidents of was also branding with hot come from interrogation rape, torture of a sexual bleeding wounds metal rods, burning with rod. I had a bottle a string of barbed records being nature and other forms of all over his back cigarettes and lighters, inserted in my anus, wire in the other shared between personnel sexual violence. pulling out of fingernails they electrocuted me in these unauthorised from whipping with with pliers, and slapping and he said if I detention sites. Torture was systematically electric wires and both ears to the point of and sexually abused did not accept I used in interrogations his had head had causing bleeding. me almost every was the person they The ITJP has also noticed in Joseph Camp to gather that in the years information as outlined been submerged Twenty three, (four day. Even the high said, they would after the war, Sinhala above, as well as to: in a water tank so women and nineteen men) ranked army officers make me say it. specifically described interrogators increasingly he choked.” sexually abused me Two people spread speak Tamil, though • Exert pressure to turn torture involving their generally not fluently, and LTTE cadres to inform and genitalia and breasts; one after the other, my buttocks and I Male Witness in 2009 therefore rely much less become collaborators; this included gang raped me for felt one insert on interpreters.19 various forms of beatings Victims were generally many days.” • Inflict punishment for and burnings and were the pipe. It was repeatedly tortured membership and often part of the extremely painful. TORTURE AND throughout their period of Male Witness in 2009 association with LTTE, interrogation process.23 detention in Joseph Camp, I was crying and SEXUAL VIOLENCE for failing to make This was an integral which ranged from a few In two cases, victims had disclosures about component of dispensing one guy pulled my TORTURE AND CRUEL, INHUMAN days to 21 months. The hollow pipes inserted the LTTE; both pain and humiliation. methods of torture follow in the anus and barbed head up and asked AND DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT the same pattern as in wire put inside the pipe again if I was that • Inflict punishment for Several male witnesses other security force sites which was then withdrawn alleged “LTTE revival” described being anally person and I shook The use of torture by Sri documented by the ITJP and the wire moved about actions, including raped with objects such Lanka’s security forces but survivors of Joseph to lacerate the victim’s my head and said promoting legal campaigns as pipes, metal rods and has been well documented Camp speak of particularly rectum. This man was and demonstrations cricket wickets: by the ITJP and other brutal beatings that tortured in this way to looking for disappeared, organisations. Statements rendered them unconscious. force him to confess land rights etc. from Joseph Camp detainees In one case the collar “On two other involvement in an LTTE bone of a witness was attack he couldn’t have As well as torture, occasions, they fractured and in another participated in because he detainees were subjected forced a pipe into serious head injuries was only 13 years old at 30 to degrading treatment, 31 war, described seeing a Witnesses are naturally ‘No, no, no’. Then SEXUAL VIOLENCE hardly walk. The touch her body; they woman tied to a chair and reluctant to disclose

I felt he pulled being raped and sexually door to where the laughed at us and detail of their The torture inflicted violated by multiple females were was took photographs. experiences becauase of the pipe out and I on detainees in Joseph perpetrators, her breasts the intense shame and experienced severe Camp was premeditated, slightly open. I Two of them were bitten and her body humiliation arising out planned and designed to pain and fainted. covered in scratch marks. saw a female cadre holding her hands of sexual violence and inflict severe pain and He said part of his job this can make it difficult At that time I mental distress. This laying on her back and told me to go was not just to identify for them to access also included sexual on the floor. She and hug her and did not realize it his former comrades but post-traumatic stress violence perpetrated with was because of the also “beautiful girls” was totally naked. rape her; they used and medical treatment. the obvious aim to cause for the military to rape Understandably, many are barbed wire inside physical pain, mental I clearly saw a soda that word in broken at nights when they were fearful about the sexual distress and to demean and the pipe. I had drinking. He described bottle shoved inside Tamil. I refused violence they have humiliate and destroy the hearing them bragging suffered becoming known in thought they were self worth of the witness. her vagina. Her arms and they beat me going to beat me about each raping at least were spread wide as severely and beat their communities given 15 Tamil women. the high degree of stigma Sexual torture included with the wire. I were her legs The her severely in that exists. rapes of men and women, The sexual violence could feel something insertion of objects such door was not open front of me. Her occurred both in holding as sticks, cricket wickets enough to (fully) nose and her mouth was being turned cells and interrogation or coca cola bottles in inside my rectum rooms; the perpetrators see the other two were bleeding and the vagina or anus, forced were often interrogators but I did not know oral sex, the crushing of girls. I could not I was bleeding from and/or guards but male genitalia and biting, what it was; I only sometimes it was too dark tell if the my ears. I was so scratching and cigarette to tell. realized later. burning of women’s breasts girl or the others weak and exhausted When I regained and genitalia. It was were alive.” and desperate. The For some, although the intended to break down the consciousness I was interrogations stopped, woman fell down on detainee even further than Male Witness in 2009 the torture and in lying on the floor in the physical torture. the floor and they particular sexual violence In another incident, a room, there was continued. As previously dragged her away. All of the six female soldiers tried to noted, male detainees were They took me back blood everywhere witnesses and 18 male force a male detainee to in general kept apart on the floor and I witnesses reported that rape a female detainee: to my cell. This from the women. The map they had been raped could not move. The of Military Intelligence experience affected and sexually abused on facilities shows one “They forced me and next day I could multiple occasions during (me) deeply; the area where men and women detention at the camp. the woman to remove abuse of a Tamil move a bit and I were interrogated in This extended from the felt around my anus, close proximity. Several our clothes. When woman and forcing earliest case recorded in witnesses heard the I refused they hit some pieces of 2007, to the most recent me to abuse a Tamil screams of women being in December 2016. me and kicked me. flesh were coming abused; one caught a sister was so glimpse of a deeply The soldiers took distressful to me, out, as if from Many detainees, both men disturbing image: a broiler chicken.” and women were raped our clothes off; the I feel angry and abused on multiple woman struggled and and sad about it, Male Witness in 2009 occasions and often “When we left the screamed and begged and blame myself.” gang raped. One of the room into the 60 informers based in them to leave her. Joseph Camp after the hallway I could They forced me to Male Witness in 2010 32 33 “During my two/three weeks in detention I was subjected to 6 or 7 gang rape sessions. I was naked almost all the time. Two or three different men came to my room each time. They would rotate. They did not wear uniforms. Sometimes during the interrogations they would wear army uniforms - light and dark green mix - but not during the rapes. After a couple of days they had moved me to an even smaller room where I would sleep. They raped me in that room by penetrating my vagina with their penises. They also penetrated the rear passageway, my anus, with their penises. The room is very small so only one man could fit in it at a time. They used to take turns to rape “One person came to my cell in the night, me, one after the other. Usually each man I don’t remember exactly what time and I would rape me at least once. Usually don’t know what he was wearing because it one would have his penis in my mouth was dark, but he raped me from behind. while the other one raped me with his He put his penis in my anus and he raped penis below. One day while interrogating me for about five minutes, I think, I me they also put a baton into my vagina.” was lying face down on the floor, he FEMALE WITNESS (2013) held my hands tight and pressed his body on top of me. I was screaming because it was painful. After he finished with ejaculation – I could feel it inside me, he made me take his penis into my mouth. He didn’t speak to me, he smelled of cigarette smoke but not of alcohol although I think he must have been drunk because he was so aggressive.”

MALE WITNESS (2015)

XX34 35XX MALE WITNESS “I was tied upside down and they put ANOTHER DETAINEE ALSO a plastic bottle in front of my face. DESCRIBED BEING TIED TO DETAINED IN 2011 PILLARS IN JOSEPH CAMP. The bottle emanated fumes and caused a burning sensation in my throat and I started coughing and my eyes and head hurt. They also had a bag soaked in petrol that they tied around my head while I was upside down. It became unbearable and my body started shaking. Then they took me down and said, ‘Now you will start talking’”.

“They tied me to the pillar by my hand and legs. They punched me in the face and my nose started bleeding. After this they released me from the pillar and I fell on the ground and here they stamped on me with their boots. While I was in this room another man was tied to a pillar. He was facing it and his back exposed. They kicked him and beat him 36 with sticks and rods.” 37 cases where there may be The photographs have been soaked in petrol tied but they had but whether he was BRIBERY AND mixed up with 24 other around her head. a record of detention. stripes, badges TID or military EXTORTION LINKED Given the general approach photographs and shown to TO DETENTION AND towards disappearances witnesses thought to have (b) A female witness and stars on their intelligence I EXFILTRATION and security been held in Joseph Camp identified a different Major shoulders and also do not know. We force culpability, it or the wider Vavuniya who allegedly belonged to a band from the commonly refer to Witness testimonies is unlikely internal area. Several witnesses Military Intelligence and provide further evidence investigations have been have recognised figures was stationed in Joseph shoulder to the authorities dressed of the commodification initiated. Nevertheless, in the line up and some Camp in 2009, as one of upper arm.” in civilian clothes of detention and the in almost thirty cases, identified their her alleged rapists. The families of the witnesses alleged perpetrators from ITJP knows his name, his as CID whether they extraction of ransoms for Male Witness in 2009 release and passage from have subsequently been the photographs: position as of 2015 and are or not.” visited by security force has the details of his Sri Lanka. This appears to Almost all those members in search of the (a) This witness was among entire career history; the have become a “secondary physically involved in Male Witness in 2013 “missing” detainee. Most serveral who identified an fact that he was in Joseph business” and a significant torture and sexual abuse have been threatened, and army Major in Joseph Camp Camp is corroborated income generating option were men, ranging from In ten cases the police, in several instances, who tortured him: by two other witnesses. for some officials. Bribes guards to senior officials. mostly the TID, were physically abused, even were paid to secure the Female security officers named. In two incidents, tortured. Whether this (c) Another woman release of thirty four “I saw him in the were sometimes present witnesses claim they were masks collusion between recognised several witnesses from Joseph Camp during interrogations, shown TID Identification. different elements of the torture room several military personnel from the ITJP witness and on occasion during A preponderance of these security establishment allegedly based in Joseph pool. In nearly all cases times. I cannot beatings and sexual cases relate to more or a genuine attempt Camp after the war as this information came remember if he was assaults of the witnesses, recent incidents, perhaps to locate a registered among those who repeatedly from relatives who paid with some having reflecting a more profiled ‘fugitive’ remains in civilian clothes raped her in another the military through also participated in role in counter-terrorism unclear; a further military camp before the middle men. Many cases or uniform. He took the assaults. cases. There was a level mention Muslim middlemen reflection of the opacity end of the war. Among of cooperation between the that envelops Sri Lanka’s his gun and cocked those alleged perpetrators or unknown intelligence For some witnesses forces; how and if this security sector. It may be it and put the was a senior officer the officials, with some not the identification of extended to cooperation an attempt to silence the ITJP has identified by name knowing who was involved. end of the pistol perpetrators was often protocols and related family members and prevent and rank. In nine cases, the Eelam confused, especially as command responsibilities them from ever speaking touching my forehead People’s Democratic most detentions involved is presently unknown. In out about the torture. GENERIC IDENTIFICATION Party (EPDP) was named between my eyes. He multiple incidents over several cases, witnesses as the facilitator. In a did this 2-3 times lengthy periods of time. were transferred to and Most victims however number of instances, the PERPETRATORS Distinguishing between from military detention on different days.” cannot identify their same agents procured to police and military was to the notorious 6th torturers by name, though facilitate release from INDIVIDUAL IDENTIFICATION not always clear. Some Floor, TID headquarters Male Witness in 2010 the ITJP has gathered detention, also assisted military interrogators in Colombo. some additional names with helping the witnesses The ITJP is in possession wore civilian clothes; Multiple other witnesses25 of alleged perpetrators leave Sri Lanka. of the names of 36 others who wore civilian TAMIL INFORMERS corroborate this from testimony. In 32 military intelligence staff clothes acted as Major was present in cases, witnesses identified It is not clear how the who allegedly operated interpreters or scribes. The informers interviewed Joseph Camp after the war security forces have at Joseph Camp and more military interrogators, report being coerced into and involved or complicit been able to explain than 40 names of informers most commonly by the type assisting the Sri Lankan in torture; a female “The new officer was the disappearance of based there, as well as of uniform. This sometimes security forces with whom witness testified that the detainees, especially in 25 photographs, and included senior officers: also in civilian same officer was one of several phone numbers, and her team of interrogators clothes. He spoke in some cases details of “I also saw in Joseph Camp also ranks, service numbers and good Tamil. I in 2010 and was present commanders in career histories.24 assumed he was CID 38 while she had a bag camouflage uniform 39 MALE WITNESS DETAINED IN 2010 — 11

“These were underground cells down about 10-12 steps. There were 15 men kept in each cell. I didn’t know any of the other detainees but they were mostly former LTTE members; I could tell just by looking at them. We were not allowed to speak to each other.”

40 41 they enjoyed varying tinted windows so they joined our degrees of trust. people could not group working for CONCLUSION AND LTTE informers were see in and identify the army.” sometimes present during me. They would bring aspects of interrogation, Male Witness in 2009 RECOMMENDATIONS sometimes masked, other already identified times not, depending if former LTTE cadres The decentralized and highly secretive structure interrogators wanted to the windows the detainee to know of the LTTE meant that to who informer was. As and ask me for identify all its members detailed in other further information Sri Lankan intelligence reports, abductors and required informers from It is improbable that Sri Lanka is a party interrogators seldom on them.” each cell or unit, CONCLUSION Sri Lanka’s top military to United Nations concealed their identity, including the all female Male Witness in 2009 leadership, many of whom human rights treaties which reinforced the sense ones. The effect has been This report substantiates have been based in Joseph and instruments that of impunity with which devastating on the Tamil longstanding allegations The LTTE members who Camp, are unaware of the prohibit torture and ill they operated. community as a whole of so that Joseph Camp, a 26 worked as informers for many young men and women centerpiece of Sri unlawful detentions and treatment. Domestically, Military Intelligence violations carried out Article 11 of Chapter “Neither the Military being forced to betray Lanka’s security provided important each other. It has been infrastructure, has and at this camp. Repeated III of the Constitution Intelligence men or insights into their very effective in eroding continues to be used allegations of bribery and provides that, “no person extortion by ransom for shall be subjected to us were ever masked. experiences working with any sense of shared for illegal detentions the Sri Lankan security identity or trust. and interrogations. It the release of witnesses torture or to cruel, We were not afraid forces. An increasing is a site where torture corroborate an established inhuman or degrading 27 of being identified number of captured LTTE and sexual violence are pattern of organized treatment or punishment”. fighters were induced to crime at the heart of Sri The Government of Sri or later tried pervasive and, employed turn, many by torture with total impunity, Lanka’s security services. Lanka has domesticated its in a court for what and threats to family. and as recently as This should be of grave obligations under CAT and we did. We were A number of women LTTE December 2016. Witnesses concern to a Government enacted the Convention members held at Joseph elected on a pledge of against Torture and the power, no one confirm Joseph Camp Camp were also targeted maintained purpose built “good governance”. Other Cruel, Inhuman or would arrest us. for recruitment. interrogation and torture Degrading Treatment or Documentation and Punishment Act, No. 22 We were the ones chambers as an integral “The female detainees component of a carefully investigations by the of 1994. Under Article who arrested.” ITJP and others validate 2, acts of torture, as were located in the planned and deliberate policy of torture and allegations that a well as participation, Male Witness in 2009 middle of the camp sexual violence as well culture of torture and complicity, aiding and sexual violence, mainly abetting, incitement close to the MIC as other human rights “They would keep violations and abuses. of Tamils, has become and attempt to torture official barracks institutionalized within are criminal offences me in a van in the The torture facilitated and away from the not only the intelligence the security forces in Sri punishable with 7-10 Camp. The van had Lanka during the conflict years in prison and a fine men. I was not in gathering imperatives of the security services, and its aftermath. A of 10,000-50,000 rupees their area very but in many instances was legacy of violations and (approximately $70- often. I remember designed to humiliate and accompanying impunity $350). Articles 321 and remains entrenched despite 322 of the Penal Code seeing three female break detainees, whilst gratifying an array of Sri Lanka’s international detainees. After grotesque perversions by and domestic commitments security force members. to investigate and they were tortured prosecute such abuses. 42 43 (ordinance No. 11 of 1887 scale of sexual violence Foreign Minister to the visits, mapping of all FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF (b) Share with the and subsequent amendments) in Sri Lanka, including 34th session of the Human the structures, SRI LANKA: UN Committee Against also criminalize acts conflict related sexual Rights Council that his forensic examinations, Torture and the UN within the scope of the violence, rape and government has “a policy access to current - Publicly acknowledge Special Rapporteur on Convention, such as sexual violence should of zero tolerance for and historical that Joseph Camp Torture the layout intentionally causing be treated as a serious torture”29 belie the satellite imagery, has been used as an and detailed site harm or grievous international crime. The reality on the ground. detailed examination illegal detention site maps of Joseph Camp, harm with the aim of Government of Sri Lanka The ongoing violations of military records for decades, shut down the original ownership extorting confessions or has however, not ratified and abuses challenge and accounts, including immediately any records of the land, information leading to the the Rome Statute nor has the credibility of the transport logs and unofficial detention identify those units detection of an offence or it incorporated command Sri Lankan government’s interview records, facilities still in operating in the site misconduct. The sentence responsibility within stated commitments to which the Sri Lankan operation inside now and over the last for a person convicted of its domestic law, though address such abuses,30 security forces should the camp (as already decade, in particular these offences is a maximum the recent report by the and by extension present make freely and fully recommended by the those involved of 10 years’ imprisonment UN High Commissioner for a fundamental challenge available, as well as Special Rapporteur on in counter-terrorism and a fine. Human Rights recommends to prospects for building detailed interviews Torture and other activities from this could have been trust in the Government’s with survivors inside Cruel, Inhuman or Military Intelligence The current legal done before establishing transitional justice Sri Lanka and outside. Degrading Treatment and the police’s framework regarding the proposed judicial agenda. This, coupled with or Punishment32) Terrorism Investigation sexual violence in Sri mechanism.28 The failure to the failure to provide - Arising out of this and take the following Division, their Lanka provides that do so creates an impunity appropriate remedies, visit, call upon (a) immediate mandates, command acts of sexual violence gap, which perpetuates the amply demonstrates the the Special Rapporteur preventative steps: structures including can be prosecuted at a lawlessness, and impunity lack of political will on on Torture and individuals in domestic level as rape, under which the security the part of the Sirisena other Cruel, Inhuman - (a) Install video the chain of command custodial rape, gang forces operate. government. Much more can or Degrading Treatment cameras at all and their rape, or grave sexual and must be done. or Punishment and (b) entrances and inside interrelationship. abuse. Custodial rape is This legal framework of the relevant committee the site, at multiple defined as acts committed prevention has evidently RECOMMENDATIONS member responsible key points indoors and - Share lists with the by public officers or failed to provide adequate for Sri Lanka of the outdoors, (locations UN Committee Against persons in positions of deterrence and remedy; FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS UN Committee Against and angles to be Torture and the UN authority against women only a handful of security COUNCIL MEMBER STATES: Torture, jointly identified by an expert Special Rapporteur on in official custody or force members have been to draw up a list of in this field nominated Torture detailing who against women who have investigated or held - At the 34th session alleged perpetrators by the Special was detained in Joseph been wrongly restrained; accountable for the crime in March 2017, call of human rights Rapporteur on Camp and released, how this could be used to of torture and sexual upon (a) the Special violations who Torture), with live long they were held indict security force violence, none in relation Rapporteur on Torture have been named in remote monitoring there and which members who have carried to Joseph Camp. and other Cruel, UN reports, including and recording to be officials were in charge out such crimes against This raises profound Inhuman or Degrading those of past special conducted by the of the units that those in their custody. concerns about the Treatment or rapporteurs, and Sri Lanka Human Rights held them. If the Government of Sri integrity of Sri Lanka’s Punishment and (b) ask the Government Commission (SLHRC). Lanka was politically criminal justice system. the relevant committee of Sri Lanka to Share the video - Recall General Jegath committed to addressing member responsible show its commitment recordings and results Jayasuriya from his sexual violence, it could The failure of the for Sri Lanka of the UN to accountability of the SLHRC monitoring utilize the Convention Sri Lankan government Committee Against by suspending with the UN Committee Against Torture Act to satisfactorily to respond Torture, jointly to these individuals and Against Torture, prosecute sexual violence. and act on repeated conduct a visit to immediately allowing for a Given the gravity and allegations about Joseph “Joseph Camp” and the investigating them 3-month delay so as not Camp and other locales “4th floor” (CID).31 and report back to the to jeopardize of torture will only This should involve Council in one year legitimate security undermine its standing. extensive site on their progress in operations undertaken 44 Claims by Sri Lanka’s doing so. from this site. 45 diplomatic posting of torture35 and also as Ambassador to says the Division Brazil and immediately would have been aware ANNEXURE 1: launch an independent that hospitals and a and credible civilian UN hub in the war zone investigation into his were being shelled by OTHER REPORTS ON role regarding government forces widespread torture because they could be in Joseph Camp from seen with the naked eye 2007-2009. Report 36 JOSEPH CAMP TORTURE from their positions. back on progress to the UN Committee Against Torture and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture within one year. FEBRUARY 1984: Report that was hung upside down and to have been put on his a person called Shan a chilli fire was placed head in order to make his - Suspend and investigate was arrested on 17th under him.38 breathing difficult.40 other serving and February 1984 in Vavuniya retired officers who (TAMIL INFORMATION CENTRE, LONDON) (UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON TORTURE) and taken to the Joseph were in command camp and interrogated and positions in Joseph 1996: Report that a Jaffna JANUARY 1999: Shivaramanan tortured. Alleges a named Camp, especially in student, G. Balakumar, Danister, aged 21, was General was present the post-war period, was tortured at Joseph arrested on 5th January during the interrogation including retired Major camp after his arrest in 1999 by the Criminal and torture.37 General Kamal Gunaratne June 1996.39 Investigation Department (former deputy (TAMIL INFORMATION CENTRE, LONDON) (CID) and taken to Joseph Ambassador to Brazil) (BRITISH REFUGEE COUNCIL Camp in Vavuniya, but PUBLICATION) who is also named by 1985: Report that 11 never returned.41 the UN as having Tamils in Britain as OCTOBER 1996: UN Report (INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS been the commander of refugees had been that a man called ASSOCIATION BREMEN) the 53 Division during tortured under the direct Pasupathipillai Yogendran the end of the war.33 supervision of the same was arrested by the army AUGUST 1999: Report that a The 53 Division was named army General. In in Vavuniya on 27 October man referred to as KJ was alleged by the UN to some cases the General 1996. He was reportedly held in Joseph Camp for have been involved in himself had participated taken to Joseph camp three days, but escaped the execution of the in the torture. One where he was detained on 2 August 1999, by surrendered Tamil includes Ravi the brother for three days. He was climbing over a barbed female TV presenter, of Shan above. Ravi was allegedly hung with a rope wire fence. He was caught Isaipriya.34 arrested by the General in by his ankles when entering Government Furthermore the UN Vavuniya District in 1985. and suspended upside down controlled territory and report names the 53 20 others arrested along from a tree and beaten was identified by a masked Division as one with Ravi were taken to with sticks, fists, and man as a member of the of three military Joseph camp and tortured. wire. The JMO in Colombo brigades involved Ravi was held for two found supporting evidence in perpetrating acts weeks. He was assaulted that he had been beaten with batons, belts and with an iron pipe and plastic pipes filled with a square shaped wooden concrete, including on a rod. A shopping bag filled number of occasions by with gasoline is said 46 the named General. Ravi 47 LTTE. He was transferred 2008: A Canadian not understand. After sign various documents, Joseph camp.51 threatened to torture him to another camp to act immigration case refers to two hours they left the and released only on if he didn’t cooperate. as an informant. He did an applicant who alleged room and four different payment of a large bribe (HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH) They took their clothes not identify anyone as a that in 2008, he along men came in, also wearing to army officials.48 off and got on top off me. LTTE member, but another with others was rounded up army trousers and white JANUARY 2009: The victim They grabbed my penis (HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH) informant reported that for identification of the t-shirts. They told me was arrested by the and took pictures of it he had failed to identify Liberation Tamil Tigers that I had told lies. I Sri Lankan army and taken on their mobile phone. DECEMBER 2008: Eighteen- a member who was known to of Eelam. The applicant experienced severe torture to Joseph camp. He was They would not let me year old Ramesh was him. As a result, KJ was alleged torture and said – there are no words to accused of working with sleep. They sprayed my arrested in the East in beaten so heavily that he he was interrogated about describe what happened. the LTTE and was slapped, wounds with a chilli December 2008, and kept in had to be transferred for his connection to the LTTE I was beaten with metal kicked with boots, burned powder that made them Joseph camp for 5 months treatment to a civilian and subsequently released. rods, suspended upside with cigarettes, had a burn. I was fingerprinted and then in Poonthottam hospital and was treated He alleged that two days down, sometimes with my petrol-infused plastic bag and photographed and the rehabilitation Camp. He for a ruptured stomach.42 later, his friend Rajan head submerged in a put over head, pushed, officials took all my was subjected to intensive were abducted by the Eelam bucket of water. I was in head banged against wall, details. They produced (UK IMMIGRATION PROCEEDINGS) interrogation. After People’s Democratic Party such pain.46 and raped.52 some photographs and asked release, the police and [EPDP] and disappeared. me to identify the people 2001: In the UK High (OHCHR) the Army kept him under (HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH) A few hours later, he and in the photograph.54 Court, Mr Justice Bennett surveillance with regular his friends were arrested refers to the case of MAY 2008: The case of a visits to his house.”49 MAY 2009: After crossing (HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH) by army intelligence, a Mr. Sinnathuri who man who says on 7 May to the Government- taken to the Joseph (MEDIA REPORT) experienced detention, 2008 he was arrested by controlled area in May MID 2009: Report describes Camp and detained as ill-treatment and torture, the army and taken to 2009, another victim one of many young Tamil LTTE supporters. He was 2009: A media report cites especially after his Joseph Camp in Vavuniya, was taken away from an men to have survived tortured and interrogated an LTTE doctor stating arrest and detention in where he was held for 18 IDP camp, and driven to Joseph Camp who is fretful about his friend Rajan’s he was taken to Joseph Joseph Camp where he was days and tortured during Joseph Camp where he about family he was forced connections to the LTTE.45 detention camp which and subjected to cruel interrogation and released was subjected to severe to leave behind when he forced to admit that he methods of torture and (CANADIAN IMMIGRATION PROCEEDINGS) only after his father had torture and sexual fled Sri Lanka. He was was an LTTE fighter. “It lengthy detention.43 paid a bribe to the army. violence. “They beat me detained by the military was the darkest days of my 2008: Report of a man He was arrested again with whatever they could during one of many sweeps (UK IMMIGRATION PROCEEDINGS) life at the Joseph camp,” caught crossing into in December 2009 and taken find: boots, poles, sticks. that the authorities made he said.50 government controlled to Joseph Camp, brutally He was beaten everywhere of Tamil Tiger controlled DECEMBER 2006: Report that on my body”.53 territory from the Vanni beaten and detained for (MEDIA REPORT) areas, picking up young a large group of military in 2008 who was taken to one week, released people regardless of personnel, including some (OHCHR) Joseph Camp. “I was taken on payment of a bribe.47 2009: The victim was taken whether they had any men in civilian clothes, to an interrogation room. to a small room where active involvement with arrived at the victim’s (SUBMISSION TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS MAY 2009: The victim was I could see black stains he was photographed and the LTTE.55 home in Vavuniya. COMMITTEE) dragged to a jeep and on the wall, and objects fingerprinted. His hands The victim was forcibly driven to Joseph Camp. He (FREEDOM FROM TORTURE) such as metal bars and were tied behind his back taken to the Joseph Camp JULY 2008: The victim was was taken to a small room wooden poles. I was locked and he was taken to a where he was detained abducted and taken to where they tied my hands NOVEMBER 2009: On November inside the room, alone, smaller room. The smaller in a toilet for Joseph Camp, detained in behind his back to a gas 14 the victim was taken for one hour. Three people room was dark except 28 days and tortured and a small dark cell, taken cylinder. He was beaten up to Joseph Camp, stripped, then entered the room, during interrogations, the sexually abused.44 to another room where she with hot metal rods. They photographed and put wearing army trousers and floor was bare, and there was interrogated about forced a petrol-infused (HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH) t-shirts. They told that was no bedding. The toilet her involvement with the plastic bag on his head if I told lies, I would was a hole in the floor. LTTE, beaten, kicked, and tried to asphyxiate be killed. They asked me After a few more weeks, he punched, burned me with him. He was kept naked questions about why I had was moved to a cell that cigarettes and raped by during detention. During left the LTTE areas. They he shared with four other three men. The victim the night, two women made me sign documents inmates. He was later was photographed and police officials who were in Sinhalese that I did informed that he was in 48 fingerprinted, forced to on duty raped him; they 49 in a dark room. He was JANUARY 2010: The victim me down, while the other told the officials he had down for over half an hour was subjected to in Joseph interrogated, beaten, hung was picked up by CID raped me.”59 previously (November 2009) and beaten on his thighs Camp who said: “They would upside down and beaten, officials at Colombo’s been tortured in Joseph and back with plastic tell me to remove my (HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH) burned with cigarettes, international airport Camp. An official went pipes and batons. They clothes. They would tell a petrol-infused plastic and taken to the fourth out and then returned tried to asphyxiate him in me to put my genitals on APRIL 2010: The victim bag put over his head, floor before being and confirmed he had been a barrel of dirty water. top of the table and was taken to Joseph Camp his head forced into a transferred to Joseph detained in Vavuniya. The They whipped him with then beat my private parts where he was detained in bucket of ice water. Camp in Vavuniya. He was victim was beaten with electric wires.64 with sticks”.68 a small, dark room. He Perpetrators pushed his beaten with batons and wires, hung upside down was repeatedly questioned (HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH) (OHCHR) penis into a wooden pipe. metal rods. The officials and two officials came by a mixed group of army At night-time, two or poured kerosene on the and put a pistol in her officials in uniform and JUNE 2013: On 5th June SEPTEMBER 2015: The UN three officials would come floor and threatened to mouth. He was released civilian clothes, and some the victim was stopped report describes the to the room. They would set it alight. In another from detention following members of the EPDP. They and placed in a van and insertion of barbed wire be in civilian clothing, instance, they held a gun payment of a bribe in forced a petrol-infused taken to Joseph Camp. He through a pipe inserted smelling of alcohol. They to his head and threatened June 2011.62 plastic bag on his head was told he had been named into the anus. The pipe forced him to have oral to pull the trigger. He and tried to asphyxiate (HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH) as LTTE and he knew where was pulled out first and sex with them. In the was hung upside down and him while beating him. the arms were buried. He then the barbed wire, beginning one official beaten with truncheons and They hung him upside down NOVEMBER 2011 Freedom showed the 3 places where causing “unbearable pain would hold him down while hot metal rods. He was and beat him with wires From Torture reports he thought the arms were and bleeding”. One witness the other raped him. stripped naked in both and sand- filled pipes. name Joseph Camp as the buried, but they had been described being subjected detention sites. He was (HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH AND ALSO He was raped with small, detention facility where moved. He was regularly to this treatment when he sexually abused by being REPORTED BY SRI LANKA CAMPAIGN56) glass Coke bottles. The torture took place. The beaten on his back, legs tried to refuse to have forced to have oral sex on officials inserted an iron methods of torture cited and heels with a stick, sex with his captors. “He two or three occasions.58 2010: A woman was rod in his penis.60 in Joseph: Camp include: wire and a pipe containing pushed the pipe in again arrested in 2010 and (HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH) blunt trauma, burns from sand. Released after with the barbed wire (HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH AND taken to Joseph Camp cigarettes, suspension, paying a bribe.65 inside. He pulled the pipe SRI LANKA CAMPAIGN) for interrogation. She MARCH 2010: The victim sexual violence, threats out and left the barbed (UK IMMIGRATION PROCEEDINGS) said she was stripped, was taken to Joseph Camp, to cut off fingers forced wire in me. I had a lot of NOVEMBER 2010: In November beaten, raped and forced to a dark room and asked nakedness during heavy pain and bleeding.” 2010, a Tamil woman in JUNE 2013: - A case where to perform oral sex on to admit her was in the interrogations, forced He said he was forced to her early twenties was the victim was transferred one of her interrogators. LTTE. “They kicked my alcohol consumption. have oral sex and gang- arrested by soldiers to Joseph Camp for She suspected the knees and hung me upside Detention conditions raped several times while in her house and taken many months and tortured interrogation was not down and beat me. They involved solitary in detention. OISL was to Jacob Camp (sic). on a regular basis being really about intelligence forced a petrol-infused confinement, bloodstained also informed of a similar She was stripped naked kept in a single cell gathering: “He just plastic bag on my head and dark cells with no case by a credible source, during questioning. She in detention.66 wanted to rape us and tried to asphyxiate me and windows, limited food and which allegedly occurred was tortured and raped 69 do everything to us as burned me with cigarette water, tied wrists and (UK IMMIGRATION PROCEEDINGS) in Joseph Camp. by vaginal penetration much as possible, for his butts. I was kept in ankles, inability to several times (OHCHR) satisfaction, sadism, my underwear during lie down.63 JANUARY 2015: Freedom from and fell unconscious.61 whatever ... They said my entire detention. Torture said two survivors (FREEDOM FROM TORTURE) they were taking us for During interrogation, I (SRI LANKA CAMPAIGN) tortured in 2015 identified questioning but we were was stripped naked. At Joseph Camp as the DECEMBER 2011: On 29 half dead by then.”57 one point, one of the MAY 2011: A victim site of their most recent December the victim was interrogators squeezed my described being taken torture.67 (AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL/ ITJP) picked up by a white penis very hard and I was to the fourth floor of van by men in civilian (FREEDOM FROM TORTURE) in unbearable pain. I was the CID headquarters in clothes, who took him to raped at night. Different Colombo. He was stripped an army camp, which they SEPTEMBER 2015: A UN people came to rape me and photographed and said was Joseph camp. The report cites a witness either singly or in groups previous scars were victim was hung upside of two. One of them held describing the torture he 50 identified. The victim 51 at risk, including war were recorded as being widows and female heads at the trial stage, all ANNEXURE 2: of household.”72 of them in the Northern Province. None of the 2015 OHCHR INVESTIGATION 20 cases in the Eastern UN REPORT REFERENCES INTO SRI LANKA Province was recorded as being at the trial stage. A government report to the Ten cases, four of them in Human Rights Committee in the Eastern Province, had TO IMPUNITY FOR September 2014 referred resulted in the acquittal to 39 cases of sexual of the accused (all violence by the security CDF or police). Others TORTURE AND SEXUAL forces before the courts. were either reported Subsequent information as unsolved, pending, obtained by OISL showed warranted or at the level VIOLENCE that most of these cases of the Attorney involved the sexual abuse General’s Office.74 of children. While it is positive that such cases 2016: THE UN COMMITTEE are followed up in some AGAINST TORTURE’S way, even in these cases, CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS not one member of the security forces had This urged “the State been convicted.73 party to ensure that all 2011: THE COMMITTEE the internally displaced the last stages of the allegations of unlawful ON THE ELIMINATION OF women and the female ex- conflict and in the post- OISL also reported that detention, torture and DISCRIMINATION AGAINST combatants. The Committee conflict phase, and the 19 cases were before sexual violence by WOMEN’S CONCLUDING is particularly concerned outcome of such trials, courts in the Northern security forces are OBSERVATIONS ON THE FIFTH, about reports of sexual including information Province, and 20 in the promptly, impartially and SIXTH AND SEVENTH PERIODIC violence allegedly on the punishments meted Eastern Province as of effectively investigated by REPORTS ON SRI LANKA perpetrated also by the out and the redress May 2015. Fifty-eight an independent body”. It armed forces, the police and compensation offered to alleged perpetrators were also recommended that Sri This said, “While and militant groups.” the victims.”71 accused in the 39 cases, Lanka publish a full list noting the State It called on the five cases having multiple of all gazetted detention party’s explanation authorities inter-alia to 2015: REPORT OF THE UN accused. Thirty-two were centres, close down any that women were not “promptly investigate, SECRETARY GENERAL ON members of the Sri Lankan unofficial ones still in subjected to violence and prosecute and punish” acts CONFLICT-RELATED SEXUAL Army; 13 were Police (five existence and ensure discrimination during the of sexual violence.70 VIOLENCE of whom were subsequently that no one is detained last stages of the conflict discharged and acquitted); in unofficial detention and in the post conflict 2011: THE UN COMMITTEE This called on the one was from the police facilities.75 phase, the Committee AGAINST TORTURE’S new Government of Sri Special Task Force; one remains deeply concerned CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS Lanka “to investigate was SLN; 11 were Civil about reports of gross allegations of sexual Defence Force members (of violations of the human This called on the violence, including whom nine were discharged rights of women on both Government to “provide against national armed and and acquitted). Only one sides, particularly the the committee with security forces, and to of the 58 accused was at Tamil minority group, information on the provide multi-sectorial the time on remand, the investigations of cases of services for survivors, rest having either been war-time rape and other including reparations discharged and acquitted acts of sexual violence and economic empowerment or allowed bail. Only that occurred during programmes for women 52 eight out of 39 cases 53 UNCAT also noted with including suspension for regret that the State hours while handcuffed; party had not yet asphyxiation using ENDNOTES: concluded its ongoing plastic bags drenched in investigations into kerosene and hanging of certain emblematic cases the person upside down; of violations committed application of chili in 2006. Though it noted powder to the face and that severe punishments eyes; and sexual torture, had been imposed in the including rape and Vishwamadu rape case sexual molestation, and in October 2015, UNCAT mutilation of the genital regretted Sri Lanka’s area and rubbing of chili Only one person was taken at a time. failure to provide paste or onions on the 1 OHCHR Investigation into Sri 6 For more on this see ITJP’s white There was a wall with a tap that we requested information on genital area. In some Lanka (OISL), A/HRC/30/CRP.2, 2015, flag report at http://white-flags.org, used.” the progress of the 39 cases, these practices Paragraph 553. and portions of A Still Unfinished War (2015) available at www.itjpsl. 15 Male Witness held in 2009: “There investigations it has occurred over a period 2 Others include: the 4th and 6th com. was a doctor who put some gel on reportedly initiated with of days or even weeks, floors, Boosa, Omanthai School in my knees and bandages on my hands regard to the acts of starting upon arrest and 2009, Plantain Point etc. 7 One witness said the National and legs. He was a military doctor Intelligence Bureau and Naval wearing fatigues. He never spoke rape and sexual violence continuing throughout the 3 (a) “An Unfinished War: Torture and intelligence also operated in 2009 with me. I was taken back to the allegedly committed by investigation.77 Sexual Violence in Sri Lanka 2009 – from Joseph Camp. cell. I saw the doctor again another couple of times during this period, security forces in the 2014”, Yasmin Sooka, The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and 8 http://www.army.lk/sfhqwanni and was given some painkillers.” aftermath of the conflict.76 The Special Rapporteur Wales and the International Truth & said in his report that he Justice Project, Sri Lanka, March 9 OISL, Paragraphs 546 and 589. 16 Female Witness held in 2013: 2014. “Both from my cell and when I was 2016 THE SPECIAL was “extremely alarmed” 10 OISL, Paragraph 589. being interrogated I could hear RAPPORTEUR ON TORTURE AND that investigations into (b) “A Still Unfinished War: Torture crying and wailing every day, OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR allegations of torture and Sexual Violence in Sri Lanka 11 This was particularly the case especially from women.” 2009 – 2015”, International Truth during the height of the post- Male Witness held in 2009:“I heard DEGRADING TREATMENT OR and ill treatment are not and Justice Project Project, July conflict phase of June 2009 to 2011. screams of torture in Joseph Camp, PUNISHMENT initiated He discerned “a 2015. mostly at night. The screams were worrying lack of will” 12 These especially tiny cells coming from a building where (c) “Silenced: Survivors of Torture appear to be a hallmark of some interrogations took place.” Visiting Sri Lanka, the within the Office of the and Sexual Violence in 2015”, ”, of the Joseph Camp detention rapporteur interviewed Attorney-General and the International Truth and Justice facilities, not heard of elsewhere. 17 Male Witness held in 2009: “They kept asking the same questions current and former judiciary to investigate Project Project, January 2016. 13 Male Witness held in 2014: “To again and again, asking about high suspects detained and prosecute allegations. (d) “UNCAT Submission”, November go to the toilet I had to knock on ranking LTTE people, their families under the Prevention The Special Rapporteur 2016. the door, I had to knock many times and where they were. They beat me and for a long time before they came with batons and sticks while asking of Terrorism Act and stated that there were a (e) “CEDAW Submission”, February to take me. The toilet was also questions and they burned the side received well-documented “vast number of documented 2017. underground; there were two cells and under my feet with a lighter accounts of extremely cases, and the failure to All reports are online at www. between my cell and the toilet. and with cigarettes. All four men itjpsl.com . There was no door to the squat participated in beating. After some brutal methods of prosecute them clearly toilet.” time, they brought the stool back torture, including burns; indicated a lack of 4 “Report of the Special Rapporteur and released me to the floor. This beatings with sticks will on the part of the on torture and other cruel, inhuman 14 Male Witness held in 2011: “We went on for a few hours. Then I was or degrading treatment or punishment were provided with about one and taken to another room. I was also or wires on the soles judiciary. He went on to on his mission to Sri Lanka”, 22 half litres of water and one meal a subjected to petrol bagging. I was of the feet (falanga); say, “Impunity for past December 2016, A/HRC/34/54/Add.2, day, rice and vegetables that was also made to lie face down on the bench and they beat me on the soles stress positions, crimes continues to be an para 22 and Committee Against on a plate slid under the door. We Torture Concluding Observations sensed it was about lunchtime when of my feet.” obstacle to reconciliation on the fift periodic report of Sri we were fed, but the food was cold and sustains mistrust Lanka, CAT/C/LKA/CO/5, 27 January and it was always the same. Every 2017. day in the morning time, we were between the communities, taken to a place outside the cell especially in the North 5 References have not been included to empty our toilet bucket. Every and East, breeding to cases that might duplicate ITJP morning, I was blindfolded and taken cases, including many cases cited in to wash. This was about 50 metres impunity for present the OHCHR Investigation Report. away. For a few minutes while we 54 instances of abuse.”78 washed the blindfold was removed. 55 lk/english/2016/06/president- International Human Rights 18 Female Witness held in 2013: 23 This included burning genitals sirisena-joins-march-themed-stop- Association Bremen, http:// 53 OISL, Page 114. 65 The Secretary of State for “When I had no clothes on during the with lighters, squeezing genitals, torture/140271 www.humanrights.de/doc_en/ the Home Department v TP, UK GOV interrogation sessions, the male beating genitals, placing the penis archiv/h/huract/displacement. 54 “We Will Teach You a Lesson,” Tribunal Decision AA/10591/2013, at interrogators would come and rub in a drawer and slamming it shut, 31 The Case Against Sisira Mendis, htm?act=closearchivinfo HRW, FN15, Page 97 https://tribunalsdecisions.service. their body on me. They would rub and forcing the victim to touch the November 2016, ITJP, http://www. gov.uk/utiac/aa-10591-2013 parts of their body into my breasts genitals of the perpetrators or put itjpsl.com/assets/press/The-case- 42 [2009] EWCA Civ 292; [2009] Imm. 55 SRI LANKA: THE URGENCY OF and their legs against my legs and their penises in their mouth. against-Sisira-Mendis-final.pdf A.R. 674. BEARING WITNESS, 27 July 2009, 66 MR VA v The Secretary of State they would stand in front of me Freedom From Torture, at https:// for the Home Department, UK GOV and rub their bodies with my body. 24 “A Still Unfinished War”, Op 32 A/HRC/34/54/Add.2 Paragraph 118a 43 The Queen on the Application of www.freedomfromtorture.org/news- Tribunal Decision, AA/10351/2013 at Sometimes they would have their Cit.,pp.66-67. says: “Immediately shut down any Sinnathuri v Secretary of State blogs/2589 https: https://tribunalsdecisions. trousers on but not their top on.” unofficial detention facilities that for the Home Department [2008] service.gov.uk/utiac/39068 25 The same alleged perpetrator was may still be in existence.” EWHC 2917 (Admin), Paragraph No. 56 CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IN 19 However victims say while some identified by another witness who 21, at http://www.refworld.org/ SRILANKA’S NOTHERN PROVINCE, A Legal 67 TORTURE CASTS A SHADOW OVER interrogators spoke fluent Tamil, said, referring to an incident in 33 OISL states this at Paragraphs pdfid/4933b6f42.pdf Analysis of Post-War Human Rights SIRISENA’S FIRST YEAR AS PRESIDENT several spoke it so poorly that they 2009, “He is the man who was the 116 and 287. Violations, Sri Lanka Campaign OF SRI LANKA, Freedom from Torture, struggled to understand. high officer who kicked me and hit 44 “We Will Teach You a Lesson,” for Peace and Justice, Paragraph January 5, 2016, at https://www. me when I was on the floor in the big 34 Indeed OISL points out the Sexual Violence against Tamils by 119, Page 39, March 4, 2014, at freedomfromtorture.org/news- 20 “A Still Unfinished War”, Op cit, hut.” official website of the security Sri Lankan Security Forces, Human http://cja.org/downloads/Crimes%20 blogs/8786 2015, “We will Teach You a Lesson”, forces, admitted Isaipriya was Rights Watch, Appendix: Cases of Rape Against%20Humanity%20in%20Sri%20 Sexual Violence against Tamils by 26 International Covenant on Civil killed on 18 May by soldiers of the and Sexual Violence by Sri Lankan Lanka_s%20Northern%20Province.pdf 68 OISL, FN61, Paragraph 595, Sri Lankan Security Forces, Human and Political Rights; the Convention 53rd Division. The UN’s forensic Security Forces, 2006-2012 presented Page 122. Rights Watch, 2013. against Torture and Other Cruel, examination of photographs of in reverse chronological order, Page 57 Sri Lanka Submission to the United Inhuman or Degrading Treatment Isaipriya’s corpse and video footage 138, February 2013, at https://www. Nations Human Rights Committee, 69 OISL, FN61, Paragraph 597, 21 Sometimes this was done while or Punishment; the Convention of her surrendering indicated she hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/ 112th Session, 7-31 October 2014, Page 120. in a stress position: “They told on the Rights of the Child; the had been shot in the head. srilanka0213webwcover_0.pdf Violence Against Women (Arts.2.1, me to kneel but I couldn’t due to International Convention on the 3, 6, 7), Amnesty International, 70 CEDAW/C/LKA/CO/7, paras. pain from the previous days of Elimination of All Forms of Racial 35 OISL, Paragraph 544. 45 B296 v Canada (The Minister of at https://www.amnesty.ch/de/ 40 and 41, beatings. I could barely stand. I Discrimination; the Convention Citizenship and Immigration) 2015 laender/asien-pazifik/sri-lanka/ was handcuffed with my hands in front on the Elimination of All Forms 36 OISL, Paragraph 840. FC 761, at http://caselaw.canada. dok/2014/uno-ueberpruefung-bringt- 71 CAT/C/LKA/CO/3-4, of me and they put a pole between of Discrimination against Women; globe24h.com/0/0/federal/federal- leere-versprechen-ans-licht/ 8 December 2011. my hands. The two interrogators the Convention on the Rights of 37 A Shameful Strategy for court-of-canada/2015/06/2015fc761. bericht-sri-lanka-submission-to- lifted me up, holding each end of Persons with Disabilities; and, Survival, Tamil Information News shtml the-united-nations-human-rights- 72 S/2015/203. the pole, which was a bit more than most recently, the International Bulletin of The Tamil Information committee.-oktober-2014.-42-seiten a meter long. My feet were still Convention for the Protection of all Centre, Tamil Information Centre, 46 OISL, Paragraph No. 563, Page115. 73 OISL references CCPR/C/LKA/Q/5/ on the ground but my hands were up Persons from Enforced Disappearance. August 1992, No.13, Page 2, 58 “We Will Teach You a Lesson,” Add.1, 2 September 2014. over my head. The interpreter put a at http://www.ticonline.org/ 47 United Nations, CCPR/ HRW, FN15, Page 86, polythene bag sprayed with petrol 27 This prohibition is made absolute images/publicationpdffiles/Tamil_ C114/D/2280/2013, International 74 A/HRC/30/CRP.2, over my head. I had to breathe but by article 15, which prohibits any Information_-_Issue_No_76.pdf Covenant on Civil and Political 59 Ibid, FN 15, Page 80 16 September 2016. the smell was strong and I started limitation on article 11 under any Rights, 7 August 2015, Human coughing and found it difficult to circumstance, even for reasons of 38 Ibid, FN2, Page 1-2. Rights Committee Communication No. 60 Ibid, FN15, Page 79 75 CAT/C/LKA/CO/5, 30 November 2016. breathe. I was struggling to free national security and public order. 2280/2013, at https://goo.gl/ZvUj2N myself. When they took it off they 39 British Refugee Council 61 CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IN 76 Ibid. asked questions and when I failed to 28 A/HRC/34/20 Report of the Publication, Sri Lanka Monitor, 48 “We Will Teach You a Lesson,” SRILANKA’S NOTHERN PROVINCE ,Sri provide satisfactory answers they Office of the United Nations High July 1997 reproduced at: INDICTMENT HRW, Page 124-125. Lanka Campaign, FN 37, Paragraph 77 A/HRC/34/54/Add.2, 22 December put the bag over my head again.” Commissioner for Human Rights on AGAINST SRI LANKA, Sri Lanka’s 112, Page 37 2016. (Male Witness held in 2014) Sri Lanka to 34th Session of the Genocidal War - ‘95 to ‘01, Arrests 49 PTA detainees – Ignored under Human Rights Council, Paragraph 23 & torture of Tamils - continuing “Yahapalanaya?” Inhumane detention 62 We Will Teach You a Lesson,” FN 78 Ibid. 22 Male Witness held in 2016: “On says this. Also Paragraph 67 in impunity, http://tamilnation.co/ conditions, torture while in 15, Page 64 four or five occasions they put a bag the Recommendations states: “Enact indictment/genocide95/gen9551e.htm detention, façade of rehabilitation on my head which had chilli powder legislation to criminalize war and re-arrest after released from 63 Freedom from Torture submission in it. This created an intense crimes, crimes against humanity, 40 Report of the Special Rapporteur, almost 3 years of detention, at to the Committee against Torture burning sensation. They have also genocide and enforced disappearances Sir Nigel Rodley, submitted http://groundviews.org/2015/09/05/ for its examination on Sri Lanka in heated chilli using a device that without statutes of limitation, and pursuant to Commission on Human pta-detainees-ignored-under- November 2011, Page 6, at https:// is like the one used for incense. enact modes of criminal liability, Rights resolution 1999/32, CIVIL yahapalanaya/ www.freedomfromtorture.org/sites/ The smoke from the chilli would in particular command or superior AND POLITICAL RIGHTS INCLUDING default/files/documents/freedom_ be put under my face and this was responsibility”. QUESTIONS OF TORTURE AND DETENTION, 50 Ex-LTTE ‘Doctor’ Reveals from_torture_submission_to_cat_for_ excruciatingly painful, even more COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Fifty- Horrifying Last Two Days in its_2011_examination_of_sri_lanka_-_ than when they used the chilli bag. 29 Statement by Foreign Minister sixth session, Item 11 (a) of the Mulliwaikkal By Sulochana Ramiah redacted.pdf They did this five or six times.” Mangala Samaraweera at the High provisional agenda, E/CN.4/2000/9, 2 Mohan, ‘Ceylon Today,’ May 8, 2016, Level Segment of the 34th Session February 2000, Economic and Social at http://sangam.org/ex-ltte- 64 Case 10, BM, United Kingdom: of the Human Rights Council, 28 Council, Paragraph No. 966, at doctor-reveals-horrifying-days- Document containing cases of Sri February 2017, MFA website, http:// http://antitorture.org/wp-content/ mulliwaikkal/ Lankan deportees allegedly tortured www.mfa.gov.lk/index.php/en/media/ uploads/2012/07/C3-Interim-Report- on return, 15 September 2012, HRW at ministers-statements/6861-fm-34hrc “Misc.-3”-Mandate-and-Methods- 51 We Will Teach You a Lesson,” HRW, https://www.hrw.org/news/2012/09/15/ Activities-Information-Reviewed..pdf FN 15, Page 112-113. united-kingdom-document-containing- 30 “President Sirisena joins march cases-sri-lankan-deportees- themed “Stop Torture”, 30 June 2016, 41 Humanity displaced, Internal 52 Ibid, FN 15, Page 111. allegedly-tortured. Lanka News First at http://newsfirst. displacement in Sri Lanka, 56 57 “I still wake up screaming. Sometimes I feel so angry I hit the wall with my fists. I also feel very alone and sad. I don’t want to eat. I don’t want to come out of my room.”

MALE SURVIVOR TORTURED IN 2013 IN JOSEPH CAMP

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