Tamil Disappearances Activist And Mother Of Missing Son Arrested Under PTA, To Be Transferred To Boosa

March 14, 2014

Showing defiance even as its human rights record is coming under heavy fire in the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Sri Lankan Government authorities have arrested a leading Tamil disappearances activistBalendran Jeyakumari under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Jeyakumari and her 13 year old daughter Vibushika were presented before the Kilinochchi magistrate at the strange hour of 9 p.m. A detention order from the Ministry of Defence has been issued on Jeyakumari, to keep her in custody without trial under the PTA.

Jeyakumari is to be transferred to the Boosa detention camp in the Southern Province later tonight, according to some reports by activist groups.

Her daughter has been handed over to a child probationary officer and will be kept at the Kilinochchi hospital for treatment over the weekend, ACTC General Secretary and Tamil activist Gajen Ponnambalam tweeted.

Jeyakumari who is a resident of Dharmapuram in Kilinochchi was arrested after security forces and police surrounded her house on Thursday evening and interrogated her and her 13 year old daughter – her only remaining child for several hours.

The Tamil National Alliance said that the pair had been kept overnight Thursday in Vavuniya and were supposed to be presented before the Kilinochchi magistrate on Friday (14).

It is unclear why the police waited till night time to produce her before court.

The mother of four, who lost two sons in the war, lost a third child conscript in the LTTE at 15 years old after she surrendered him to the army in May 2009.

Activists say Jeyakumari’s best proof that her son was last in Government custody was that he was featured in the LLRC report that published pictures of ex-LTTE combatants being rehabilitated. Both the mother and daughter have attended protests organized by Mannar citizens committee and families that are looking for missing and disappeared members. She and her daughter have been featured in many video documentarieson the disappeared including “white van stories” which was previewed on Channel 4, Sri Lanka campaign said in a statement about the arrest.

The arrest and detention are sparking major fears of reprisals against human rights activists and Tamil civilians who participate in activism campaigns on various issues.

Tamils protest in Jaffna against detention of Jeyakumari and Vipoosika
Tamil Guardian 15 March 2014

Tamils took to the streets in Jaffna this morning, protesting against the arrest and detention of disappearances campaigners Balendran Jeyakumari and her 13 year old daughter Vipoosika.

Tamils Protest in Jaffna Against Detention of Jeyakumari and Vipoosika by nelvely

This is not a democracy but a ‘thugcracy’, thug dramas’ performed beside Street Dramas – Artistes

SATURDAY, 15 MARCH 2014

This country has been turned not into a democracy but a ‘thugcracy’ says Senior Lecturer Chandraguptha Thenuwara. While a ‘Geneva’ drama is being playacted in the country ‘thug dramas’ too are being played said Mr. Thenuwara.

He said this at a press conference held at the Center for Society and Religion at Maradana yesterday to protest against the thug attack on the street drama troupe of the Society for Socialist Art of the Socialist Youth Union.

“Today thugs volunteer to engage in violence on behalf of the government but the same thugs get killed ‘trying to show weapons’. This is what we call ‘thugcracy’.

I don’t like the word ‘artiste’. For, today the word ‘artiste’ is used for those ‘sensitive performers’ who wait to catch crumbs thrown from government’s table. Today, genuine artistes do not have an opportunity to express their thoughts. Where John de Silva Arts Theater was has been turned into a car park. The Arts Theatre has become an eating place.

Street dramas, ‘Kolam’ are forms of theatrical performances and presentations in outdoor public spaces without a specific paying audience. These creations are satirical where human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit. There is no democracy in a country if people are unable to respect others’ views or tolerate them. Today, any deceitful or violent act could be carried out using President’s name. The question is who does the police that are paid from our tax money serve,” said Mr. Thenuwara.

Street drama artist Deepani Silva, who was deeply affected due to the thug attack on the street drama troupe said, “I was in Mr. Gamini Haththotuwagama’s street drama troupe. I was deeply moved when I heard the artists of the street drama troupe were attacked by thugs. For, I have been in this sector for more than forty years. Street dramas are a kind of creations that are performed without charging any money. Street drama artists do not receive anything in return. They perform under very trying conditions. Attacking and assaulting artistes is a mean and a savage act.”

Winnie Hettigoda addressing the media said today those who trade oil unhealthy for people and magicians have freedom on the street but street drama artists do not have that freedom. The rulers have destroyed the country for 66 years and masses who like or dislike aesthetics should act with this in mind said Mr. Hettigoda.

Mr. Susil Wickremesinghe said any creation that doesn’t have politics in it is not art. Genuine politicians should be able to respect and enjoy a piece of art. Those politicians who cannot appreciate art are politicians with petty interests said Mr. Wickremesinghe and added, “Time has come to change this wretched society and as artistes we should make our maximum contribution to make such a change. We call upon all masses to rally against the barbarism that exists in the country at present.”

Buddhika Damayantha, Sunil Chandrasiri also spoke while Anura Srinath, Sdesha Mohotti and Premaratna Tennekone were present.

Minister Rishard Bathiudeen Apologizes To Court

March 14, 2014 

Minister Rishard Bathiudeen, who intimidated the Manar Magistrate in 2012 October leading to the first ever strike in the Sri Lankan judiciary tendered an apology to the judiciary and the Magistrate of Mannaer.  After the attack, senior lawyers filed a contempt of court application in the Court of Appeal moving to deal with the Minister for Contempt.

Minister Bathiudeen

When the contempt of court application came up before the Court of Appeal today, Faiz Mustapha appearing for the Minister tendered the apology. 

Romesh de Silva PC while setting out the terms of settlement in the Contempt of Court case against Minister Rishard Bathiudeen, paid special tribute to the senior lawyers who were the Petitioners in the case. He praised them for taking a bold step by giving their names to be Petitioners in this application amidst heavy pressure, in order to ensure the application of the Rule of Law and the protection of the independence of the judiciary.

In this case seven senior lawyers instituted proceedings against Minister Rishard Bathiudeen for contempt of court in respect of actions taken by him in Mannar.

When the case was taken up Faiz Mustafa PC raised a preliminary objection that Minister Rishard Bathiudeen does not have to plead to the charge of contempt. This objection was overruled by the Court of Appeal and the appeal made against the said order was dismissed by the Supreme Court. Accordingly Bathiudeen pleaded not guilty to the charge of Contempt of Court.

When the matter came up on the 14th March 2014 (yesterday), Bathiudeen admitted that his phone was used for abusive phone calls made to the Mannar Magistrate and apologized for it. Accordingly terms of settlement were entered and the said terms are set out in full below.

“…Whereas the Petitioners have filed this Application before Your Lordships’ Court solely in order to uphold the dignity and independence of the judiciary in the Republic of Sri Lanka;

AND Whereas this application by seven members of the Bar of Sri Lanka has received wide publicity and the support from the Bar and persons upholding the Rule of Law;

AND Whereas the level of publicity and support has amply and suitably demonstrates and conveyed the high regard and esteem enjoyed by the judiciary of Sri Lanka;

AND Whereas the Respondent regrets that the telephone registered under his name has been used to make the telephone calls which forms the subject matter of these proceedings and apologizes for the unauthorized use of the telephone in the said way;

AND Whereas the Respondent states that he has the highest respect for the members of the judiciary and condemns any act which violates the dignity and esteem of the judiciary or that which violates the independence of the judiciary and apologizes to the Honourable members of the judiciary for the telephone registered under his name being used to make the telephone calls that forms the subject matter of these proceedings;

AND Whereas the Respondent regrets the pain of mind if any caused to A. Judeson Esq, the then Honourable Magistrate of Mannar;

AND Whereas ,in the aforesaid circumstances, the Petitioners are satisfied that the objective of instituting these proceedings , namely to uphold the dignity and independence of the Judiciary have been fulfilled;

AND further whereas   the Respondent has subscribed to this motion to confirm the assurances given by him and whereas theAttorney-at-Law for the Respondent too has subscribed to this motion in confirming the assurances given by the Respondent, the Petitioners humbly move to terminate these proceedings…”

Romesh de Silva PC with Ikram Mohammed PC, Sanjeewa Jayawardena PC, Saliya Peiris, J C Weliamuna, Sugath Caldera, Shanaka Cooray, Eraj de Silva and Milhan Mohammed appeared for the Petitioners.

Faiz Mustafa PC with M M Zuhair PC and Hejaaz Hisbullah appeared for the party accused Minister Rishard Bathiudeen.

THE WORLD IS UNDER THE 

DEVIL'S YOLKE!!

Mass killing of Muslims underway in full swing 

in Central African Republic

No effective measure to stop the carnage

By Latheef Farook-January 28, 2014  

Men carry the body of a lynched Muslim man through a street in Bangui, Central African Republic, on Sunday

It appears it is now Central African Republic Muslims’ turn in Africa to pay the price under the ongoing global campaign against Islam and Muslims. According to reports massacre of fleeing Muslims continues unabated ever since violence   erupted on 5 December 2013 between well equipped Christian majority and ill equipped Muslim minority.  

Mass killing of Muslims underway in full swing in Central African Republic by nelvely

What happened in Syria when the world was not watching

With the eyes of the world on Ukraine, an escalated campaign of barrel bombings by the regime of Bashar al-Assad has led to the indiscriminate killing of men, women and children in Syria.

FRIDAY 14 MARCH 2014
A child pulled from the rubble - the aftermath of an Assad regime barrel bomb attack - is as poignant an image as any of humanity's strength in the face of brutality (see video, above).

The child survived the attack - but there are hundreds of videos posted online, from this year, showing people who were not so lucky.

It has been three years since the Syrian civil war began, and the number of human rights abuses being committed by both the Assad regime and armed opposition groups have been escalating.

Those who want to see the conflict grow... are using this opportunity to commit worse human rights abuses.Kristyan Benedict, Amnesty International

Kristyan Benedict, UK campaigns manager at Amnesty International, told Channel 4 News: "Since the start of the year, and during the Geneva talks, there was an escalation in the indiscriminate attacks by the Syrian regime including, but not exclusively, the use of barrel bombs."

Mr Benedict says the escalation in indiscriminate attacks during the Geneva II talks, in January this year, was a message from the Assad regime and the armed opposition groups that they were not going to follow the diplomatic path.

However, more recently there has been another opportunity for the Assad regime, and other groups, to carry out atrocities.

Though hundreds of miles apart, the events that have been happening in Crimea have made it easier for the indiscriminate killing of civilians in Syria.

"Those who are hurting civilians the most are those who are committing and justifying human rights abuses," Mr Benedict said.

"..Those who want to see the conflict grow and who have an interest in conflict, are using this opportunity to commit worse human rights abuses."

Out of the spotlight

The events in Ukraine have turned the media spotlight away from Syria, and have strained diplomatic relations with Russia, a member of the UN Security Council.

This week UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon implored international powers to work harder to end the Syrian crisis. A statement said that Mr Ban "deeply regrets the inability of the international community, the regions and the Syrians themselves to stop this appalling conflict". Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN envoy to Syria and Geneva II mediator, has echoed these sentiments.

The video of the child in the rubble was filmed on 25 January, in Aleppo. It was a day when the world was watching protesters fill Kiev's Independence Square and President Viktor Yanukovych offering job positions to opposition leaders in a bid to diffuse the growing unrest.

What many people were not watching was Aleppo - a city that has been the focal point of President Assad's barrel bombing campaign.

Hundreds of videos posted online, largely by activist and rebel groups, show huge numbers of people who were not as lucky as this little girl.

Warning: the below video, a composite of activist videos showing barrel bombing and the after effects, includes images that viewers may find distressing.

Channel 4 News cannot show some of the video footage, which often includes severed limbs and mutilated corpses, because it is too distressing to watch. However, the footage we can show speaks to the mass destruction of lives and neighbourhoods that is taking place.

The barrel bomb is just that, a barrel filled with TNT and shrapnel. When it explodes the shrapnel sprays around the blast zone killing anyone in its path.

But the horrific simplicity of this weapon should not lead you to underestimate its devastating power. Barrel bombs typically carry between 1,000kg and 1,500kg. On impact, within a 250m radius, everything is destroyed - buildings are flattened, cars are torched, civilians die.

The barrels are so large the air roars as they plummet to earth - the briefest of warnings before mayhem hits.

And in 2014 their use has dramatically escalated.

Escalation

Data from activist groups suggests that between the 25 December and 10 February, 556 barrel bombs were dropped on Aleppo – where most barrel bomb attacks have been taking place. Since 10 February nearly double that amount has been dropped, more than 1,000 barrels, on Aleppo.

It is estimated that a total of between 5,000 and 6,000 barrel bombs have been dropped during Syria's civil war, killing at least 20,000 people. 1,600 of these deaths have taken place in Aleppo in the last month alone.

Syria's regime uses barrel bombs in locations it is trying to "crack" - rebel strongholds where it is deemed this most ruthless of weapons is necessary to achieving the military's goals.

In Darayya, a key district of Damascus under rebel control, 284 barrels have been dropped since 10 February (compared to 200 before). In a 72-hour period at the beginning of this week, 40 were were dropped.

Assad's soldiers have also been keen to take the town of al-Zarah – a strategically important town that is located on a highway connecting Homs and Tartus. In the past two weeks 175 barrel bombs have been dropped on the town. On 8 March Syrian government troops took control of the town.

'Yet another war crime'

William Hague has called the use of barrel bombs "yet another war crime" being carried out by the Assad regime, and has called on the Syrian regime to "cease" their "barbaric" use.

The British foreign secretary welcomed a recent UN Security Council resolution aimed at allowing aid to reach the people of Syria.

It follows other human rights abuses that have been taking place this year - including campaign of forced starvation in place like the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus.

The UN's Relief and Works Agency has been prevented from entering Yarmouk for two weeks - something that Mr Benedict says occurred "almost simultaneously" alongside events in Crimea. He described how people in the Yarmouk camp, where 20,000 are trapped, forage for leaves and grass to eat.

And Mr Benedict says that though the recent resolution was welcome, the UN Security Council and the Friends of Syria Group, which comprises countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the UK and the US, are "failing" the people of Syria.

He points to UN calls for funding to support the victims of this conflict both inside and outside the country, and how such calls have not been adequately answered. Total funding for these pledges currently stands at 12 per cent.

"They are not putting their money where their mouth is", he told Channel 4 News.

Mr Benedict says Amnesty International wants to see a "more robust" response from the UN Security Council or individual governments to the human rights abuses taking place in Syria.

"In terms of a long term solution, long term stabilisation efforts, starting to reconstruct the country, moving towards elections - that is a long way away," he said.

"Nothing is going to happen without the abuse to civilians being stopped."

Standing with Syria

And something needs to happen - over 100,000 people have been killed in the Syrian civil war, including 10,000 children. Around half the country's population have been forced to leave their homes.

For something to happen, the eyes of the world need to return to Syria. Campaign groups have attempted this in recent weeks with YouTube videos.

A video from Save the Children, a "second-a-day" video showing what the Syrian civil war would be like as experienced by a UK child, has gone viral - with nearly 26 million views in a week.

Another video, featuring artwork from Banksy, a voiceover by Idris Elba and music from Elbow, is being promoted by a range of charities.

The video calls for people the stand with Syria, and is promoting the hashtag #withsyria.

You can see the videos below.

Article Tags

Assad, Channel 

Anger as Cameron tries to superglue Britain to Israel 

Prime Minister is asking to be targeted by BDS

 by Stuart Littlewood - 14 March 2014           Intifada-Palestine.com

(London) The other day I signed a ‘Get Well’ petition for Palestinian youngsters Adam and Johar who were viciously maimed and crippled by the British Government’s ‘friends’ in Israel .

Israeli police dogs mauled Palestinian teens shot at checkpoint

The two cousins, 17 and 20 years old, were returning home from football training when they were attacked by Israeli soldiers who shot them in the legs then set their dogs on them. They were taken to an Israeli military camp and again badly beaten, and Johar’s knees were broken. Both are unlikely to play football again.

Anger as Cameron tries to superglue Britain to Israel by nelvely

Ukraine's president fears Russia could invade after Crimea referendum

Acting leader claims Kremlin is behind turmoil in eastern Ukraine and there is 'real danger' Moscow could seize more territory

Ukrainian servicemen in the Kherson region on Saturday, where Ukraine's defence ministry said the military repelled an attempt by Russian forces to enter a long spit of land bordering Crimea. Photograph: Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuter

Saturday 15 March 2014

Luke Harding in Kiev, Shaun Walker in Simferopol and agencies in DonetskUkraine's president said there was a "real danger" Moscow would seize further territory after Sunday's referendum in Crimea, and accused "Kremlin agents" of orchestrating turmoil in the Russian-speaking east of his country.

Ukraine's President Fears Russia Could Invade After Crimea Referendum by nelvely

Malaysia jet: police search pilot's home as hijack suspected

The missing Malaysian jet's communications systems were "deliberately" turned off, confirms the government - but was it a pilot or a passenger? And who flew it seven hours in the wrong direction?

SATURDAY 15 MARCH 2014

Malaysian police announced they are searching the home of the pilot of the missing jet, as the country's prime minister declared that the disappearance of the plane looked like "a deliberate action" that required expert knowledge.

Malaysia Jet Police Search Pilot's Home as Hijack Suspected by nelvely

Written statement to Parliament- Parliament-Written statement to the UN Human Rights Council resolution Statement On On Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Statement On the UN Human Rights Council resolution On

The Foreign Secretary updated Parliament on the UK's support for a strong resolution of the UN Human Rights Council on Sri Lanka.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

During the Commonwealth Heads of  Government Meeting held in Last year Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister Called On to the Sri Lankan Government to ensure a credible domestic process LAUNCH alleged violations and abuses of Accountability for Human rights and International humanitarian Law On both sides during the conflict . The Prime Minister said that if the Sri Lankan Government did not take this step Step Step, We would seek to use the UN Human Rights Council an Internal Investigation On our Position. In the intervening months, the Sri Lankan Government to set up a We pressed Accountability have to investigate these allegations and ensure domestic process. However, no credible domestic processes have been set up to Date Accountability in Sri Lanka. As a result, the Time has Come On Now the Human rights Situation in Sri Lanka for International action. The Therefore UK working in support of a strong resolution which is an International Calls for Investigation, which will be voted by the UN Human Rights Council On at the end of this month. A draft resolution was tabled at the UN HRC jointly by the UK, U.S. , Mauritius, Macedonia and Montenegro, On Monday 3 March. Calls The draft resolution for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Office of the International Investigation LEAD, and to report back by March 2015. Further discussions will take the text this Place On month. The adoption of the resolution is not a foregone conclusion. Ahead of the Vote, the Prime Minister and I, and OTHER Foreign & Commonwealth Office Ministers, have been in Contact with a Wide Range of member States to encourage them to support a Calls for an International Investigation strong resolution that UN HRC. In doing so, We have the UN High Commissioner for MsUpload Assessment of Attention to the Human Rights who points to the need for this Investigation, Accountability Progress On As has been in Sri Lanka, in her words, "limited and piecemeal". OTHER On The Commissioner has also highlighted concerns Human rights issues, including the Undermining of the independent judiciary in Sri Lanka Institutions As such, a "significant" On religious Minorities surge in attacks and impunity for those committing Serious Human rights abuses. In the remaining days before the UN HRC will Continue to Vote We urge Members to support this action, and maintain our Close Contact with NGOs and Civil society.

We welcome the offer of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to assist in an international investigation, which would be a significant step forward in ensuring that the Sri Lankan people will know the truth behind events during the conflict. We are confident that the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, together with Special Procedures, can provide a full and comprehensive investigation.

It is important to recognise that, as a country and a people, Sri Lanka has enormous potential, with the opportunity to become a strong and prosperous nation, if the Sri Lankan government addresses these vital issues. The UK has previously welcomed progress in Sri Lanka in areas including demining (on which the Prime Minister last year announced a further £ 2.1 million of UK funding), reconstruction of former conflict affected areas and the reintegration of child soldiers. Such progress should not be overlooked. But it is also important that this progress is matched by substantive progress on reconciliation, human rights and accountability. It is clear that Sri Lanka still has a long way to go in this respect, in order to achieve lasting peace and reconciliation. Accountability plays an important part in the reconciliation process, and must not be ignored. This is intended to be a resolution which will help to address the legitimate concerns of all communities.