Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Kumaratunga: Reconciliation will bridge Tamil-Sinhalese gap

R. RAMABHADRAN PILLAI- November 24, 2015

Says the exercise would go a long way in establishing harmony in Sri Lanka.

Bridging the gulf that divides Tamil and Sinhalese population in Sri Lanka is essential for the wellbeing of the country, former President of Sri Lanka, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, has said.

Ms. Kumaratunga, who was on a private visit to Alappuzha, told The Hindu on Monday that she was involved in the national unity and reconciliation initiative being undertaken by the present government as part of confidence-building measures.

“There is a huge gulf between Tamils and Sinhalese. There are schools for all communities and there are also schools of different communities. Many Tamils do not speak Sinhalese and vice-versa. Earlier, English was not encouraged or rather downgraded in the country. Unlike India, there was no link language,” she said.

The reconciliation exercise would go a long way in establishing harmony, she said about the recently started process.

‘Unique experiment’

Recalling that there was a time when her life was in danger, Ms Kumaratunga said, “My phones were tapped. My house was watched. A lot of people did not have freedom. Things have changed since the new government took charge. The ruling alliance is a unique experiment in Asia as parties with opposing programmes have come together. Members of former extremist groups, who have given up violence, have also joined the system,” she said.

Asked whether women were enjoying freedom in the country, Ms. Kumaratunga said: “Certainly. More women are getting into jobs than men. But when it comes to politics, there is no quota. But the new government is going to implement a regulation that at least 25 per cent of the nominees in elections should be women.”

Having had overcome half-a-dozen attacks on her life, she is much more confident than ever. “I am an atheist; but I believe in my principles, I have never violated basic principles. That has given me a lot of confidence,” she said.

Budget 2016 and the Senior Citizens in dire straits

Today we, the Senior Citizens are in a state of trepidation – A feeling of alarm and dread as to what the future holds for us Senior Citizens.

by Nelum Vithanage

( November 24, 2015, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Government is happy about the budget and Ravi Karunanayake is promulgating in every appearance as to what a wonderful budget it is. The Business communities are praising the budget – but what the budget has done to Senior Citizens of this country is to destroy, ruin and make a mess of their lives.

All appeals to the Finance Minister and the President regarding granting of relief and assuage the suffering of the Senior Citizens have turned into profoundly deaf ears. Ironically, not a single Member of the Parliament – majority of them are Senior Citizens – had even voiced the excruciating pains by the suffering Senior Citizens, after all they are getting more than their fair-share and they can live luxuriously. But alas! The senior citizens are left to suffer in agony and anguish.

So all those requests by the Ministry of Finance to submit recommendations and suggestions from the people, is nothing but a great pretense, with intent to deceive,

We were receiving a reasonable monthly income for our fixed deposits at the banks including the Central Banks Treasury Bills and Repo Rates were helping us greatly till 2007. Then comes the Rajapaksa Government and Nivard Cabral who reduced the income to one-third, while the cost of living shot up Three Times. To this day, especially, the Senior Citizens have been subject to untold sufferings.

When the new presidency and the new government was in the process of formation, we expected that there would be relief for, at least the Senior Citizens – But all expectations and anticipations were shattered to smithereens.

Today we, the Senior Citizens are in a state of trepidation – A feeling of alarm and dread as to what the future holds for us Senior Citizens.

The Finance Minister, shamelessly proclaims in his Budget 2016 that they have increased the Senior Citizens Fixed Deposit eligibility from One million to One-and-a-half Million with a return of 15% per Annum and reduced the age from 60 to 55 years. This rate allows the banks to pay 14.06% on a monthly basis – which amounts to Rs.17,575.00 per Month.

We wonder whether that would even cover the cost of the Medicines of a couple in their old age. What about the payment of rent, cost of food and other utilities like electricity, telephone and water?

Who will pay for them with the paltry amount they would receive in excess of the 1.5Mn?

What about their travelling – which includes their day to day living and visit to the doctors! – surely you do not expect mentally and physically infirm old and doddering people to walk while you move about in luxury!. Do you?

This reminds us of the vehicle emission testing charges of Rs.5,000/- flat for every vehicle. There are some Senior Citizens who maintain their old vehicles in good running condition and now they have to pay 400% (Four Hundred Percent) more from what they were paying the previous years. Does the government think that this is going to help the older generation?

You are accusing the previous administration of the Central Bank, while you are ardently following in their foot-steps. Adopting everything and complying with every move to the detriment of the citizens of this country. You have not made anything to amend or rectify the disastrous decisions taken in 2007 against the Senior Citizens by the Central Bank.

Please rectify this anomaly immediately, by providing The Senior Citizens with at least, 1% Per Month (One Percent per Month) on their fixed deposits with the banks and also allow the Treasury Bills and Repo Rates to provide the same returns if you have any feelings for the Senior Citizens of this country.

We are asking you nothing except for us to live peacefully, whatever the portion of our lives, that is remaining. Please remember that during the tenure of their services, the Senior Citizens have contributed immensely to the development, progress and welfare of this country.

We sincerely hope that this article will be tabled in parliament for debate.

Budget 2016 and the ‘light-touch’ education policy changes therein

While the Government provides the infrastructure, the potential to transform education is in the hands of the National Institute of Education which is responsible for curricula and teacher training and development. The spotlight really should be on the performance of the NIE

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

The Budget is portrayed as a document for spelling out this tax change or that price change in the media, but the Budget is really an important policy document that spells out how money is allocated, why it is allocated and what is expected from the allocation.

Budget 2016 and the ‘Light-Touch’ Education Policy Changes Therein by Thavam Ratna

Ven Sobitha In 1970’s

By Rajasingham Jayadevan –November 24, 2015

Rajasingham Jayadevan

The politics of Sri Lanka in the 1970’s underpinned the three decades of war that ravaged the country to its near collapse. A cocktail of factors contributed towards the deterioration of the relationship between the Sinhala and Tamil communities. The unaccommodating visionless state actors were the major contributors for the decay. This has its origins even long before the independence of Sri Lanka. There is cautious optimism that the present government will move some way to deal with the miscarriages and bring about a fair, tolerant and accommodating rule to the island nation.

Chapter II of the constitution of Sri Lanka states that: ‘the Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster Buddha Sasana (teachings of Buddha), while assuring to all religions the rights granted by Article 10 and 14’.

The very fundamental precepts of Buddhism which the government of Sri Lanka adapted by giving uppermost place for Buddhism remain violated across the socio-religious-economic-political divide of Sri Lanka.

Pages and pages can be written or can even be established by just following the present day Sri Lanka to assess disrespect for these very virtuous precepts. These precepts are being vitiated downright in the whole embodiment of governance for far too long. In a true sense, it is a shameful plight of the rule of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Just imagine of Buddha if is reborn to see the state of the Buddhism practiced in Sri Lanka. The problems of the Buddhist state is mammoth and even reborn Buddha will find it hard to comprehend or influence for change.

Beyond the visionless state actors, the very many Buddhist Bhikkus (monks) who were supposed to follow Buddha’s noble precepts with innermost purity are shamelessly undermining them by their deepest hatred towards the minorities. The command and control of the Buddhist hierarchy or the Buddhist state does not guide or take procedural steps against those Bhikkus who flout the very Buddha Sanasana they fought to gain a special place in the constitution of Sri Lanka. Read More

Sobitha Himi: Servant of the Dhamma – Gift to us all

by Bishop Duleep de Chickera
- on 11/24/2015

Prologue

There was a time when Sobitha Himi did not appeal to the minorities the way he did at the time of his death. Some may still have reservations about some aspects of his past. The recurring challenges of civil governance that brought us together fifteen years ago, however, developed into a close friendship and enabled me to understand, respect and appreciate him as a courageous and timely gift to us all.

Religion and society

Among Sobitha Himi’s several contributions to the life of the nation, two outstanding thrusts speak clearly to religion and religious leaders in particular.

He reminded us that if religion dares to offer solutions to our complex human challenges, it is compelled to engage with the harsh realities of life. For Sobitha Himi, human crises were far too crucial to be left to those whose main objective and delight is power. This is why for him, the role of sound religion, called instead to primarily serve the common good, was to expose and distance itself from the snares of power and work for a just and transparent society. In Sobitha Himi’s world view there was no room for religion to either withdraw from social realities or turn into a weapon of hatred, violence and division.

In his engagement with social issues, Sobitha Himi demonstrated a spiritual rhythm that religious leaders are to take note of. He listened with sensitivity to the grievance and hardships of the people and applied the Dhamma to what he heard. In other words he responded to the hypothetical but helpful question, ‘what would the Buddha say and expect?’, if and when confronted with these contemporary challenges.

Cries of the people –wisdom of the Dhamma

The first beat of this rhythm came spontaneously as he had his ear to the ground and was connected with people, and he exercised the second through his remarkable ability to translate the wisdom of the Dhamma into a language that embraced all; a skill that all religions are to acquire. In other words he preached the Dhamma and talked politics at the same time. This is why he was understood not only by Buddhists, but by Hindus, Muslims, Christians and the secular world as well.

Self-denial for community well being

A spirituality that helped him to stay faithful within these thrusts was his disregard; almost contempt, for status and position. By rising above these enticements that obsess and destroy so many, he exposed the fallacy that political office is the pinnacle of life. He taught instead, that losing ones’ self for the good of others’, is the most noble option available to humans. This is why his life was a source of encouragement to the countless unsung Sri Lankans, content to live with dignity and integrity wherever they are placed.

A Prophet in our midst

In-spite of several worrying set-backs in todays’ civil governance, we are now able to breathe, largely because of Sobitha Himi’s pro -people influence. His visionary leadership certainly saved us as well as those in divisive politics, from the extremes that divisive politics can take us to. For many Christians, he was truly a prophet in our midst. These were persons who in the tradition of the Bible stood for the cause of the oppressed against unrighteous rulers. They were often contrasted with the false ones, who instead sought favours and goodwill from deceitful regimes.

Model for reconciliation

This prophetic model of leadership that inevitably brings change, respite and fresh opportunities, offers a lasting lesson. It teaches that the way to national reconciliation and integration after a substantial period of arbitrary violence and entrenched impunity, is to be discerned in a collaborative and sustained response to social injustice. To stay on this path is to honour our common humanity as well as the man who brought honour to the yellow robe.

Epilogue

Sobitha Himi’s early ten-point proposals for democratic change did not refer to the Tamil problem. When this was pointed out, he patiently explained that it would be addressed after some degree of political and social stability had been realised.

He returned to this obligation, after January 8th, to influence a decision of the Congress of Religions to once again revisit this long overdue grievance, and also came up with a novel approach on how this could be done. Rather than meet political leaders or the media separately, as was the practice, he suggested that we should engage the Ministers of Justice and Resettlement together at an open media conference.

At this conversation at the ministry of justice in early April this year, the Congress of Religions called for and queried the delay in justice for the Tamils of our land. Throughout the conversations Sobitha Himi was his typical, charismatic self, urging that judicial action against Tamil detainees be expedited, that those without charges be released, that land acquired from Tamil civilians be returned and that details of missing persons be made public. His passion on that occasion was as strong as his passion to liberate the country from the powers of the executive presidency.

May his memory lighten our darkness, convert us into disciples of the truth and bring us peace.

With Peace and Blessings to all,

Bishop Duleep de Chickera

318 people relocated due to a land slide

2015-11-24

318 people relocated due to a land slide

Three hundred and eighteen people attached to 74 families have relocated due to a land slide occured at Warwick Estate in Welimada. The residents are currently staying at Warwick Estate Hospital.

(Premalal Rathnayake)

Murugeysen Tiruchelvam: A Great Hindu Leader

By Ram Balasubramaniyam –November 24, 2015

Ram Balasubramaniyam

The 39th Death Anniversary of Senator M Tiruchelvam, QC, a former Cabinet Minister and Solicitor-General of Ceylon.

The Hindus of Sri Lanka suffered colonialism longer than any other Hindu society. After 450 years of Christian rule, the Hindus became victims of a vicious ethnic conflict. Many Hindus perished due to an ethnic schism contrived by the Christians on both sides of the divide.

One should not ignore the Hindus who shone brightly in the darkness. The former Cabinet Minister Murugeysen Tiruchelvam QC was a selfless Hindu leader. He sacrificed much for the greater good of the Hindus and the country.

Tiruchelvam was born in 1907 in Jaffna and moved to British Malaya at the age of three months. His father Mr. Vishwanathan Murugeysen was the Post Master of the Kuala Lumpur Telegraph Officer. After the Great War ended in 1918, Murugeysen sent his two elder sons Tiruchelvam and Rajendra to St. Thomas College in Ceylon.

Senator M Tiruchelvam QC

Murugeysen’s decision to send his sons was prompted by the son of one of his friends – SJV Chelvanayakam. Chelvanayakam’s father Mr. JV Velupillai was a friend of Murugeysen. Chelvanayakam, who later became a King’s Counsel and a political leader, was then a young man of promise. He was an old Thomian who was pursuing a legal career in Colombo. S. Thomas was better than any institution in Malaya. St. Thomas College had an exalted reputation as the Eton of the East.

Tiruchelvam and his brother Rajendra excelled at S. Thomas. They both entered the University College in Colombo, where they received degrees from the University of London. Tiruchelvam took two BAs in History and Law.

He joined the government’s legal service in the 1930s. He soon rose through the ranks as a district magistrate and a crown counsel.

In 1947, Tiruchelvam served as Sir Alan Rose’s (Legal Secretary under the Donoughmore Constitution and later Chief Justice) junior in drafting the Soulbury Constitution. Rose accepted the junior’s prompting on the need for minority protection.

Tiruchelvam’s Hindu consciousness was apparent when Ceylon got independence in 1948. The newly independent country was discussing a national flag. The Hindu leaders favoured a flag with the Nandi image. The Nandi is the sacred bull of Lord Shiva. It was also the symbol of the Jaffna Kingdom. This proposal was vetoed in favour the Lion Flag.

According to Prof. AJ Wilson, Tiruchelvam was defiant. “On Independence Day, 4 February 1948, Tiruchelvam boldly had the Nandi flag flying in his car, not paying attention to the consequence that could visit him. As one of the crown’s most skilled lawyers, he did not seek to conceal his nationalism for petty gain or rapid promotion.”

(Lanka-e-News -24.Nov.2015, 11.00PM) Tikiri Herath Gunatileka an infamous rotter who calls himself as a professor has been appointed as SL’s High Commissioner to Seychelles Island .Lanka e news on 1 st November reported on this under the caption ‘Earlier Hambantota natives tormented the masses ; now Polonnaruwa natives have taken over that task !’

A group of Sri Lankans residing in the Seychelles Island after reading our report has sent the following letter to us :

‘About 1000 Sri Lankans are living in Seychelles. While express our gratitude to Lanka e news for revealing to the world via the internet about the true nature and background of our foreign envoys, we hereby once again request the higher ups in our foreign ministry to review the appointment of Tikiri Herath Gunathileke the so called professor alias rotter .

May we emphasize such political scoundrels are by no means suitable for diplomatic postings. We Sri Lankans living in Seychelles request you to communicate to the world via your news website that we are thoroughly disappointed and disillusioned with this new appointment . This rotter who does not know even a word of English , must be taught some amount of sign language .We therefore request the president and the foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera to first teach how to work with sign language to such individuals before being appointed as foreign envoys .

Individuals like these rotters functioning as professors in our local University is itself a poor reflection on the University. While we are rudely shocked by this diplomatic appointment may we add, it is the poor students learning under him who suffer and also misbehave by following in his footsteps. This was clearly demonstrated recently at the Town Hall by the behavior of the students. When individuals like Tikiri Herath are professors in the Universities , better conduct cannot be expected from the University students.’

By a group of Sri Lankans residing in Seychelles

---------------------------
by (2015-11-25 00:25:08)

De-listing of Tamil Diaspora Groups is a Security Threat – Pro Rajapaksa Groups

(GTF is among the de-listed organisations)

24/11/2015

Pro – Rajaapaksa political alliance of smaller parties and section of the SLFP has expressed its total and vehement opposition to the government’s decision to deproscribe eight Diaspora Groups and 269 individuals, after being determined by the previous regime as having alleged links with the LTTE, according to a report in Ceylon Today.

Former External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris has said: “This move is a definite threat to national security. The government itself has admitted that during the period between 2012 and 2014, there have been three attempts by the Diaspora to reactivate terrorism in Sri Lanka. These are persons who are unsuitable for immediate rehabilitation and the deproscription of these organizations and the 269 individuals comes in the wake of delivering the election promises and without paying any heed to national security.This is also a welcome gift for United States Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, the policy of the government being to please foreign powers with scant regard for national security and welfare of this country.”

Leader of the National Freedom Front and Colombo District MP Wimal Weerawansa has said: “This is a very serious situation which has emerged by the action of the government which will pose a serious security threat to the country, which would also pave the way for separatism as well. These are pledges which the government promised at election on which President Maithripala Sirisena rode to power and that itself has compromised the security interests of the country.

LSSP General Secretary Prof. Tissa Vitharana has said: “This is a very serious situation. When you look at the larger picture, there were 12,000 LTTE detainees who were rehabilitated and restored to civilian life, but this is in the context of the smaller group of hard core criminal elements who need to be investigated and that process needs to be expedited.

On the other hand, the government has caved into international pressures and those of the Northern political leadership and there is always the risk of separatism in the not too distant future. This is not a matter which should have been rushed into, but, properly investigated into and resolved through the judicial process”.

MEP Leader and Colombo District UPFA MP Dinesh Gunawardena has said: “The basis on which the government is acting after the Geneva surrender is most surprising. The deproscription of the suspects and the organizations which were proscribed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) is a very serious one.
It was obligatory on the part of the government to keep Parliament and the All Party Conference which are both sitting now, informed. It is also up to the government to make a clear statement on what actions they propose at least in the future”, the MEP leader said.

Communist Party General Secretary D.E.W. Gunasekera has said: “This was a bad decision which has been taken by the government and it should also take the responsibility of any serious situation arises in terms of national security and separatism.” Kalutara District UPFA MP Kumara Welgama also echoed the same sentiments, claiming that the move would result in security threats and steps towards separatism.

This is how the Rajapaksa’s campaigned during elections

Nov 24, 2015

Foreign employment minister Thalatha Athukorala following a question raised by the JVP parliamentarian Sunil Handunneththi said yesterday the 23rd in the parliament that Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken a sum of Rs. 140 million from the foreign employment bureau for the president election campaign.

Apart spending to advertising campaigns the foreign employment bureau has spent a sum of 9 million to a protest walk, 3.5 million for a pooja and another 20 million for a building rent behalf of the former president the minister emphasized.

Another one million has been spent for a Poson programme organized by the Dilan Perera Foundation and another Rs. 22, 65.000 has been spent for an evaluation for the former minister for displaying cutout and banners from the foreign employment bureau.

Rajitha, Champika and Arjuna ask IGP to probe bribery claims

November 24, 2015

Ministers Champika Ranawaka, Dr Rajitha Seenaratne and Arjuna Ranatunga today requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to investigate the allegations made against them by the Chairman of Avant Garde Private Limited, Nissanka Senadhipathi.

In a joint letter to the IGP, the Cabinet ministers state that Major (Rtd) Nissanka Senadhipathi in an interview given to a newspaper had accused the ministers of acting against the Avant Garde company due to him declining to pay them “bribes”.

The Chairman had also claimed that he can prove the requests for bribes.

Minister of Heath Dr Senaratne, Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga and Minister of Megapolice and Western Development Champika Ranawaka charge that the their credibility have been gravely tarnished by the comments made by Senadhipathi in the interview.

They further stressed that no requests for bribes or campaign funding were made by them to Nissanka Senadhipathi or anyone affiliated to Avant Garde Private Limited.

The ministers say that their opposition to the private security firm is a national duty based on the need of the people and good governance mandate and not hostility towards the private transaction and businesses of Nissanka Senadhipathi.

Therefore they request the IGP to investigate the allegations made against them by the Avant Garde chairman and take appropriate action.

Thalatha wants Dilan probed

‘Misappropriation’ of Rs. 240 mn:

By Saman Indrajith-November 23, 2015

Parliament was told yesterday that a foundation established under the name UPFA MP Dilan Perera, during the previous government, had received funds from the Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB).

Perera backed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's candidature at the last general election. He was appointed to Parliament through the National List and made a deputy minister.

Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Atukorale yesterday informed Parliament that the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) had been asked to probe the misappropriation of Foreign FEB funds amounting to Rs. 240 mn.

Ratnapura District MP said that the Auditor General, too, had investigated the alleged misappropriation of funds. There had been several instances of misappropriation of funds. She said Rs. 9,119,909 had been spent on a road show at Gampaha, Colombo and Hambantota to promote foreign employment, Rs. 2,854,000 on meals supplied by Rawanaella Food and Caters for the road show, Rs. 3,627,000 on purchasing of T-Shirts and caps from Tata tailors for the road show, Rs. 925,309.40 on banners and balloons for the road show and Rs 1,713,600 on propaganda material at road show in Hambantota.

The minister also alleged that Rs. 1,693,600 had been obtained fraudulently by using forged documents. The entire sum had been given to a non-government organisation, she claimed, adding that Rs. 3.5 million had been spent on pirikara, Rs. 3,962,410 for the Rataviru family members at Hali Ela in the Badulla District affected by a landslide in December 2014, Rs. 9,157,060 on a ceremony for laying the foundation stone for the migrant resources centre at Hali Ela and Rs. 9,559,884 on political activities.

The Minister was responding to a question raised by JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti. The Minister mentioned that a foundation named after an MP as one of the organisations which had obtained the funds.

MEP Leader Dinesh Gunawardena pointed out that it was against the Standing Orders of Parliament to mention the names of MPs.

Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Minister Atukorale both said that they were referring to the Dilan Perera Foundation but not to an MP.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that there was nothing wrong in mentioning the name of the Dilan Perera Foundation and it was permissible.

Ban on sale of Basil’s former election office

2015-11-24
Gampaha Chief Magistrate Tikiri K. Jayathilake today banned the sale, the transfer or the alienation of a land and building used by former minister Basil Rajapaksa as an election office at Oruthota, Gampaha.

The order was issued to the Gampaha Lands Commissioner based on a request made by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).

The FCID informed the Magistrate that the land had been bought by the D.A. Rajapaksa Foundation. (Tony Karunanayake)

Joint Opposition to submit no-faith motion against Ravi

2015-11-24

The Joint Opposition said today it would submit a no-confidence motion against Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake for misleading the President, parliament and people by manipulating figures to show that 6% had been allocated for education.

UPFA MP Dullas Allahapperuma said the minister had for the first time brought the finance ministry and the parliament disrepute.

“The Finance Minister has told a big lie by saying 6% had been allocated for education by manipulating figures. This has resulted in people losing confidence in the budget,” he said.

Mr. Allahapperuma said they would decide on the no-confidence motion against Minister Karunanayake at a meeting of the Joint Opposition this evening. (Ajith Siriwardana)

Bandula Padmakumara seeks Rs. 200 million from Swarnavahini!

Nov 24, 2015

Senior media personality Bandula Padmakumara filed a case in the Colombo commercial high court today (24) seeking Rs. 200 million from Swarnavahini.

He is demanding the creative right for the channel’s ‘Mul Pituwa’ programme and the said compensation for the loss and harm to his reputation as a result of his being removed from the programme without a reason.

It was Padmakumara who had presented the programme for 12 years.

His lawyers in the case are president’s counsel M.U.M. Ali Sabri and lawyers Shehani Alwis and Lasantha Thiranagama. The registered lawyer is Sanath Wijegunawardena.

Chicago police officer charged with murder in shooting of black teenager

Laquan McDonald. (Courtesy of the law offices of Jeffrey J. Neslun)

Jason Van Dyke arrived at the courthouse on Tuesday. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune via AP)

By Mark Berman and Mark Guarino-November 24

CHICAGO — A Chicago police officer has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a 17-year-old last year, authorities said Tuesday.

The charges were announced a day before the city plans to release a video that captured the shooting, footage that officials worry could lead to intense protests.

Chicago Police Officer Charged With Murder in Shooting of Black Teenager by Thavam Ratna

Why won’t Israel allow autopsy on youth killed by police?

Israeli occupation forces in Jabal al-Mukabir, a Palestinian neighborhood in Jerusalem, on 19 October.

Mahfouz Abu TurkAPA images

The Electronic Intifada

Alia Al
Ghussain-24 November 2015

A refusal by the Israeli police to allow an autopsy on a young Palestinian killed by its officers indicates a cover-up.

On 17 October, Mutaz Uweisat was killed by the police in Armon Hanatziv, an Israeli settlement in occupiedEast Jerusalem.

Israeli police have alleged that the 16-year-old boy tried to stab a border guard.

Palestinian human rights groups are calling for an investigation of the officer implicated in the killing.

In a request submitted earlier this month, the two groups, Adalah and Addameer, also urged that an autopsy be carried out in the presence of a medical officer approved by the Uweisat family.

Five days after submitting the request, Adalah issued a statement saying that the police had refused to perform an autopsy and that an Israeli court in Jerusalem had refused to order one. The police had decided to close its examinations of the incident, the group reported.

The Israeli authorities have still not handed over Mutaz’s body to his family. They have similarly refused to return, or delayed returning, the bodies of many other Palestinians killed by Israeli forces.

Israel’s refusal to allow an investigation into the incident makes its account impossible to verify. A number of other recent allegations made by the Israeli authorities against young Palestinians shot dead by its forces have turned out to be inaccurate.

Questionable incidents

Amjad Iraqi, an Adalah campaigner, said that the authorities are displaying a similar attitude in this case as they did after Fadi Alloun was shot dead by Israeli police near the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City last month. While the police also accused Alloun of trying to stab Israelis, video evidence proves that he was unarmed at the time he was shot.

“There is little interest on their part to conduct proper investigations into these very questionable incidents,” Iraqi said. “And they are refusing requests for independent autopsies to ensure that the authorities are giving truthful information about the victims.”

Mutaz hailed from Jabal al-Mukabir, an East Jerusalem area that neighbors the Armon Hanatziv settlement.

His killing follows the recent relaxation of the rules under which Israeli forces may open fire with powerful Ruger rifles.

“Targeting teenagers”

Senior police representatives have also publicly stated that officers may shoot to kill.

Moshe Edri, the Jerusalem district commander with the Israeli police, last month praised officers who shot dead a Palestinian. Edri stated that “anyone who stabs Jews or hurts innocents — his due is to be killed.”

Amnesty International has found that Israeli forces have dramatically increased their use of ammunition against Palestinians since 1 October. More than 85 Palestinians have been killed in that period.

Amnesty has documented a number of instances in which Palestinian youths were killed by Israeli forces when they did not present any imminent threat to life, and says the slayings amount to extrajudicial executions.

Alia Al Ghussain is a British-Palestinian born and raised in Dubai. She holds an MA in human rights from the University of Sussex.