WPC, >ؐo mcϥ7D[tXJq R 2] ?k;t -mA1^2S4@" &; MW p2^HVLqT(%KoOHL#eI?[jDF N]S (5J{]ˠD&"]Jxy_qq&V'޹!NZ>45P ݨ Gp p)Qqv)9\xSC,֐u2f!^AuΉ /!$1GOr7y+L*mQs3"nҞ!ׯuCNBŀ"։m| nc |ns6(Wt(aV_^̓>U %,Vw4c{T&muHeL31=@]1~lx52#UN} % 0: 0  0 0 0 0 0 0r 0N 0' 0 0 0 0 0[ 0+ 0 0 0 0M 0( 0 0 0 0v 0B 0  0 0 0` 0< 0 R 0  0C! 0Q!U>!"%9(N;,^ =,wI,4M,a,p, mr,HP LaserJet 6P/6MP - Standard0(hH  Z6Times New Roman RegularX($UKUS.,2G+J 0_level1  X /% 9 AIQ/23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  2D+J 0_level2   ,"9 9 AIQ,23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  2A+J 0_level3   ) AIQ)23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  2>+J 0_level4  ` &AIQ&23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  2;+J 0_level5   #AAIQ#23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  28+J 0_level6    IQ 23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  25+J 0_level7  h IQ23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  22+J 0_level8   IIQ23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  2/+J 0_level9    Q23  ..  2( 9 AIQ2  2GJ 0_levsl1  X /% 9 AIQ/23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  2DJ 0_levsl2   ,"9 9 AIQ,23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  2AJ 0_levsl3   ) AIQ)23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  2>J 0_levsl4  ` &AIQ&23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  2;J 0_levsl5   #AAIQ#23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  28J 0_levsl6    IQ 23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  25J 0_levsl7  h IQ23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  22J 0_levsl8   IIQ23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  2/J 0_levsl9    Q23  Ԁ  2( 9 AIQ2  2GJ 0_levnl1  X /% 9 AIQ/23   2( 9 AIQ2  2DJ 0_levnl2   ,"9 9 AIQ,23   2( 9 AIQ2  2AJ 0_levnl3   ) AIQ)23   2( 9 AIQ2  2>J 0_levnl4  ` &AIQ&23   2( 9 AIQ2  2;J 0_levnl5   #AAIQ#23   2( 9 AIQ2  28J 0_levnl6    IQ 23   2( 9 AIQ2  25J 0_levnl7  h IQ23   2( 9 AIQ2  22J 0_levnl8   IIQ23   2( 9 AIQ2  2/J 0_levnl9    Q23   2( 9 AIQ2  6K >4heading 1     UK XXX      US   XXX6@ 34heading 3   UK XXX    US   XXX<:Default Para<00:endnote text   UK XXX US   XXX<rr:endnote refe XXXS'\  `&Times New RomanS S'\  `&Times New RomanSXXX($    (B2$ !UKUS.,    0  \  `&Times New Roman  !UKUS.,  _'X XXX @  @ ?+' '/ 7?G X?# @ UKUK.,'X XX'X    @   #  _$ 'X Xh'X 'X Xh'X     i  $N'X XX'X 'X XX'X   ݀_UNHCR_ԀdidnottakeupaninvitationfromtheAdvisoryCommissiontomakerepresentationson @ behalfoftheauthorsinthiscase.#݌ 0 ЌUK.,UK., @ 'X XX'X    @ USUK.,  !UKUS.,  _'X XXX @  @  @  @ # @ UKUK.,'X XX'X    @ #  USUK.,$ 'X Xh'X 'X Xh'X   UK.,US.,   ii  $'X XX'X 'X XX'X   ݀_A.D.D._Ԁv.TheNetherlands(communicationNo.96/1997).USUK.,  !UKUS.,  _'X XXX @ # @ UKUK.,'X XX'X    @ #g  #g݌̌UK.,UK., @ 'X XX'X    @  @  @  @ # @ UKUK.,'X XX'X    @ #y  USUK.,$ 'X Xh'X 'X Xh'X   UK.,US.,  iii  $ 'X XX'X 'X XX'X   ݀_E.A._Ԁv.Switzerland(communicationNo.28/1995).#y݌ @ ЌUK.,UK., @ 'X XX'X    @ USUK.,(, tQ+ Documex3|xU !UKUS.,  _    'X XXX COMMITTEEAGAINSTTORTURE  S.S.andS.A.v.TheNetherlands  CommunicationNo.142/1999 p 11May2001 P  VIEWS   p  Submittedby:_S.S._Ԁand_S.A._Ԁ(nameswithheld) @     ` [representedbycounsel] 0  Allegedvictim:Theauthors  Stateparty:TheNetherlands  Dateofcommunication:12July1999    TheCommitteeAgainstTorture,establishedunderArticle17oftheConventionagainst P TortureandOtherCruel,InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishment, @   Meetingon11May2001,  p   HavingconcludeditsconsiderationofcommunicationNo.142/1999,submittedtothe P CommitteeagainstTortureunderarticle22oftheConventionagainstTortureandOtherCruel, @ InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishment, 0   Havingtakenintoaccountallinformationmadeavailabletoitbytheauthorofthe ! communication,hiscounselandtheStateparty, "    AdoptsitsViewsunderarticle22,paragraph7,oftheConvention. $" 1.1  TheauthorsofthecommunicationareMr.S.S.,aSriLankannationalbornon1April1963, `'"% hiswifeMrs.S.A.,aSriLankannationalbornon28August1972,andtheirdaughter,B.S.,born P(#& on12October1997intheNetherlands.Theauthors,allcurrentlyresidingintheNetherlands,allege @)$' thattheirproposedexpulsiontoSriLankawouldviolatearticle3oftheConvention.Theauthors 0*%( arerepresentedbycounsel.  +p&) 1.2  Inaccordancewitharticle22,paragraph3,oftheConvention,theCommitteetransmittedthe -P(+ communicationtotheStatepartyon18August1999.Atthesametime,theStatepartywas -@), requested,pursuanttorule108,paragraph9,oftheCommitteesrulesofprocedure,nottoexpelthe  authorstoSriLankawhiletheircommunicationwasunderconsiderationbytheCommittee.Ina  submissiondated28October1999,theStatepartyinformedtheCommitteethatauthorswouldnot  bereturnedtoSriLankawhiletheircasewasunderconsiderationbytheCommittee.   Thefactsassubmittedbytheauthors  `  2.1  AstoMr.S.S.,amemberoftheTamilethnicgroup,itisstatedthathewasheldindetention @  bytheTamilTigerorganization_LTTE_Ԁfrom10January1995until30September1995forhaving 0  publiclycriticizedtheorganizationanditsleader,andrefusingtotakepartinitsactivities.During  p  theperiodofdetention,heperformedtaskssuchaswoodcutting,fillingsandbags,diggingbunkers `  andcooking.Beforehewasdetainedby_LTTE_,hisfatherhadbeendetainedinhisplaceandhehad P  diedindetentionofaheartattack.On30September1995,Mr.S.S.escapedfromthe_LTTE_ @  barracksandtravelledtoColombo. 0  2.2  On3October1995,hewasarrestedbypolice,duringaroutinecheck,forinabilitytoshow  anidentitycard.Hewasquestionedastopersonaldetailsandwhetherhewasinvolvedwith_LTTE_,  whichhedenied.Heclaimsnottohavebeenbelievedandtohavebeenaccusedofspyingfor_LTTE_  andtravellingtoColombotoplananattack.Thenextdayhewasreleasedupontheinterventionof  anuncleandpaymentofasumofmoney,subjecttoanobligationtoreportdailytopolicewhile  stayinginColombo.Theauthorstatesthatheheardthattheauthoritiesintendedtotransferhimto p _Boosa_Ԁprison,fromwhichallegedlydetaineesneveremergealive.On8October1995,Mr.S.S.left ` thecountrybyairfortheNetherlands. P 2.3  On18December1995,Mr.S.S.srequestforasylumof19October1995wasdenied.An 0 appealmadetotheSecretaryofJusticeon23January1996wasrejectedon16September1996.The  p Secretarysdecisionwasappealedon30October1996,butbeforethecasewasbroughtforhearing ` Mr.S.S.wasinformedthatthedecisionof16September1996waswithdrawn.Anewdecision P wouldbetakenafterhiscasehadbeenheardbyanindependentAdvisoryCommissiononAliens @ Affairs(_Adviescommissie_Ԁ_voor_Ԁ_vreemdelingzaken_). 0 2.4  AstoMrs.S.A.,alsoamemberoftheTamilethnicgroup,itiscontendedthatin ! mid-November1995shewasalsodetainedby_LTTE_Ԁinanattempttodetermineherhusbands "  whereaboutsandactivities.Whileinthe_LTTE_Ԁcamp,shewasforcedtoperformdutiessuchas #! cookingandcleaning.AfterbeingtakentohospitalattheendofMarch1996,sheescapedon3 $" April1996. % # 2.5  On17June1996,shewasarrestedbythe_Eelam_ԀPeoplesRevolutionaryLiberationFront `'"% (_EPRLF_).Shestatesthatshewasaccusedbyathirdpartyofcollaborationwith_LTTE_Ԁandwas P(#& repeatedlyquestionedinthisregardby_EPRLF_,butexplainedthatshehadperformedforcedlabour @)$' for_LTTE_Ԁandwhy.Shestatesshewasnotilltreatedbutoccasionallystruck.Shewashandedover 0*%( totheSriLankanauthorities,heldincustodyandmadetoidentifyvariousalleged_LTTE_Ԁmembers  +p&) atroadblocks.InmidAugust1996,shewasabletoescapeafteraconvoyinwhichshewas ,`'* travellingstruckamine.ShetravelledtoColomboinlateAugustandleftthecountrybyairforthe -P(+ Netherlandson12September1996.Itisalleged,withoutanydetailsbeingprovided,thatbecause -@), ofherescapeherunclewaskilledbytheauthorities.  2.6  On18November1996,Mrs.S.A.srequestforasylumof16October1996wasdenied.An  appealmadetotheSecretaryofJusticeon31December1996wasrejectedon20March1997.The  followingdayMrs.S.A.wasinformedthatthedecisionwaswithdrawnandthatanewdecision p wouldbetakenafterhearingbeforetheAdvisoryCommission. `  2.7  Mr.S.S.andMrs.S.A.werebothheardbeforethethreepersonAdvisoryCommissionon @  2February1998which,inanextensiveandfullyreasonedjudgement,unanimouslyrecommended 0  thattheSecretaryofJusticerejecttheauthorsappealagainsttheoriginaldenialofasylum.!_ ( %  i      _ԀOn30  p  June1998,theSecretaryofJusticeruledthattheauthorswerenoteligibleforrefugeestatusandthat `  theywereinnorealdangerofbeingsubjectedtoinhumantreatment.On23July1998,theauthors P  appealedthisdecisiontoTheHagueDistrictCourt,whichfoundtheappealsunfoundedon25 @  January1999. 0   Thecomplaint   3.  Theauthorscontendthattherearesubstantialgroundstobelievethat,ifreturned,theywill  besubjectedtotorture.Theystatethat,asTamilsfromthenorthernTamiltownof_Jaffna_,their  presenceinColombowillgiverisetosuspicionsonthepartoftheauthoritiesofconnectionsto  _LTTE_.Havingbeensuspectedofsuchconnectionsalready,thereissaidtobenowheresafeinSri p Lankawheretheycouldgo.Theycontendthattheauthoritiesprofoundlybelievethemtobe ` opponentsoftheregime.CitingunspecifiedreportsonthegeneralsituationinSriLankaby P AmnestyInternational,_UNHCR_Ԁandothersources,theauthorsclaimarealriskofbeingdetained @ andtorturedintheeventoftheirreturn.Accordingly,theirforcedreturnisclaimedtoviolatearticle 0 3oftheConvention.  p  ObservationsoftheStateparty  P 4.1  Astotheadmissibilityofthecommunication,byletterof28October1999,theStateparty 0 acceptsthattherearenofurtheravenuesofappealavailableagainstthedecisionoftheDistrictCourt   andthataccordinglyitisnotawareofanyobjectionstotheadmissibilityofthecommunication. ! 4.2  Astothemerits,byletterof18February2000,theStatepartyarguesthat,takinginto #! accounttheobservationsmadebytheauthorsduringtheirasylumprocedureviewedinthelightof $" thegeneralsituationinSriLanka,thereisnoreasontoassumethatsubstantialgroundsexistfor % # believingthattheauthorswouldrunarealandpersonalriskofbeingsubjectedtotortureifreturned. p&!$ Accordinglyitconsidersthecommunicationillfounded. `'"% 4.3  TheStatepartynotesattheoutsetthatunderitslaw,duetoahighpopulationdensityand @)$' consequentproblems,aliensareadmittedonlyifitsinternationalobligations,essentialDutch 0*%( interestsorcompellinghumanitarianreasonsrequireit.Theprocessgoverningasylumisthatthe  +p&) applicantisinterviewedtwiceaftersubmittinganapplication,bytheImmigrationandNaturalization ,`'* Service(INS),ifnecessarywithinterpreters.Applicantsmayavailthemselvesoflegalassistance -P(+ atbothinterviews.Writtenreportsaredrawnupuponwhichtheapplicantmaycommentandsubmit -@), correctionsandadditions.Inreachingadecision,INSisassistedbycountryreportsissuedbythe  MinistryofForeignAffairs,whichdrawson_NGO_ԀsourcesandreportsfromDutchmissions.Ifan  objectiontoadecisionisrejected,theAdvisoryCommissionisconsultedincasesconcerningafear  ofpersecution.TheCommissionhearstheapplicant,invites_UNHCR_Ԁtocomment,andmakesa  recommendationtotheSecretaryofJustice.AfinalappealfromtheSecretarysdecisionispossible p totheDistrictCourt(_Arrondissementsrechtbank_).Legalaidisavailablethroughouttheappeal `  procedure. P  4.4  TheStatepartythengoesontosetoutitsunderstandingofthegeneralhumanrightssituation 0  inSriLanka,basedontherelevantNovember1998countryreportissuedbytheMinistryofForeign  p  Affairs.Thereportnotesareasofinstabilityandhumanrightsviolationsintheconflictareas, `  includingbriefdetentionsofmanyTamils.However,itistheaviewoftheStatepartyandother P  EuropeanUnionmemberStatesthatthesituationinGovernment-controlledareasisnotsuchthat @  thereturntotheseareasofpersonswhosecaseshavecarefullybeenconsideredwould,bydefinition, 0  beirresponsible.TheStatepartyemphasizesthattheTamilhumanrightssituationistakeninto   accountbytheSecretaryofJusticeineachindividualcase,asitisintheDistrictCourtsreviewsof  thosedecisions.  4.5  Inaseriesofdecisions,theDistrictCourthasheldtheSecretarytohaveacted inall  reasonablenessinjudgingthattheoverallsituationinSriLankanolongerentailsparticular  hardshipforreturnees.Regardingtortureinparticular,theCourthasheldthat,evenassuming p severelyunderreporteddataontorturecasesintheMinistrysreport,therewouldbenosignificant ` groundstoconcludethatthelikelihoodoftortureofTamilsinColombowhobelongto highrisk P groups(suchasyoungunidentifiedmen)issogreatingeneralthatthegroupasawholerunsa @ substantialriskofbeingsoexposed. 0 4.6  ThereportnotesthatallrelativelyyoungTamilswhospeaklittleSinhaleseandwhose ` documentsshowthemascomingfromthenorthstandachanceofbeingheldforquestioning P followinganidentitycheck.ThisisparticularlysoifonehasrecentlyarrivedinColombofroma @ warzoneandhasnoidentitydocumentsorvalidreasonforbeinginColombo,orhasfailedto 0 registeruponarrival.Themajorityarereleasedwithin4872hoursoncetheiridentityisestablished   andtheirreasonsforbeinginColombohavebeenexplained.Thoseheldlongermaybesubjected ! toroughertreatment,whilethoseheldformorethanaweekonsuspicionof_LTTE_Ԁinvolvementface "  ahigherriskofilltreatment.Personsheldformorethanthreemonthsonfirmevidenceof #! involvementfaceahighriskoftorture. $" 4.7  Accordingly,theStatepartyarguesthatthesituationinSriLankaisnotsuchthatforTamils p&!$ ingeneral(inparticularyoungmen),eveniftheyare(orhaverecentlycome)fromthenorth, `'"% substantialgroundsexistforbelievingthattheyrisktortureifreturned.Inthisregard,theStateparty P(#& furtherpointstotheDistrictCourtsconsiderationoftheMinistryofForeignAffairscountryreport @)$' andthewidevarietyofothersources,aswellastheStatepartyswillingnesstohavetheCommittee 0*%( assistinputtinganendtoviolationsoftheConvention,whichwasdemonstratedattheconsideration  +p&) ofitslastperiodicreport. ,`'* 4.8  Turningtotheindividualcases,theStatepartypointsout,inrespectofMr.S.S.,thathis -@), arrestinColombowasforfailuretoidentifyhimselfduringaroutinecheck.Itisrelevantthat  severalotherswerearrestedatthesametime,andthearrestcannotberegardedasanactspecifically  directedagainsttheauthor.Mr.S.S.ssubsequentrelease,apparentlytodoashepleased,further  speaksagainsttheauthoritiestakingaparticularinterestinhim.Astotheobligationtoreportdaily,  theStatepartyreferstoitsMinistryofForeignAffairscountryreportexplainingthatanobligation p toreportafterreleasedoesnotsignifythatthepersonshouldbeclassifiedaswantedbythepolice, `  nordoesafailuretocomplywiththisobligationautomaticallymeanthatthepersonsnameisplaced P  onalistofserioussuspects.Inthiscase,thefactthatMr.S.S.wasunderanobligationtoreport @  wouldnotputhimatincreasedriskintheeventofareturn. 0  4.9  Additionally,theStatepartynotesthatMr.S.Ssstatementthathewasonatransferlistfor `  _Boosa_Ԁprisonisbasedentirelyonuncorroboratedsuspicions.Inanyevent,giventhathewas P  releasedafteraday,itisimplausiblethathisnamewasonthatlist.Furthermore,iftheauthor @  believedthathewasunderclosesurveillancebytheSriLankanauthoritiesforsuspected_LTTE_ 0  activities,itishardtoseewhyhewaswillingtotakeaconsiderableriskbyleavingthecountryfrom   Colomboairport.Theauthorsstatementsonthefateofhisfatheralsoareinconsistent.Contrary  totheaccountpresentedinthecommunicationandatthefirstinterviewthathisfatherhaddiedin  captivityofaheartattack,theauthorstatedsubsequenttothesecondinterviewthathisfatherhad  beenheldatanearlierpointby_LTTE_Ԁforaweekandhadbeenreleaseduponsufferingaminorheart  attack.  4.10  AstoMrs.S.A.sposition,theStatepartyalsoarguesthatheraccountcontainsnoindication ` thatshewouldbeatanygreaterriskthanotherTamilsuponreturningtoSriLanka.Regardingher P arrestbyandpossiblesuspicionofinvolvementwith_LTTE_,theStatepartypointsoutthatitis @ importantthatherworkwasperformedunderduress.Shecannotberegardedasanykindof_LTTE_ 0 activist,andtheactivitiessheperformedwereintheservicesphere.Intheviewofherbackground  p andexperience,theStatepartydoesnotconsideritplausiblethattheSriLankanauthoritieswould ` considerheravaluableinformant,andinthisrespectsheisnodifferentfrommanyotherSriLankan P Tamilwhoatsometimehadbeendetainedinan_LTTE_Ԁcamp. @ 4.11  TheauthorscontentionthattheSriLankanauthoritiestookanincreasedinterestinheris   alsonotsupportedbythefactthatsheleftthecountryinthemannereasiesttocontrol,thatisfrom ! Colomboairport.Regardingherallegationthatherunclewaskilledbytheauthoritiesonaccount "  ofherescape,theStatepartypointsoutthatthecontentionisbasedonhearsay.Nocorroboration #! orevidenceofanykindhasbeenfurnishedofanylinkbetweenherescapeandhisdeath.TheState $" partypointsoutthattheDistrictCourtsjudgementof25January1999regardedMrs.S.A.s % # testimonyasunreliable. p&!$   4.12  TheStatepartyreferstotheCommitteesjurisprudencethat,evenassumingtheexistence P(#& ofagrosspatternofseriousviolations,additionalgroundsmustbeshownwhyanindividualwould @)$' personallybeatriskoftortureuponreturntoacountry. ) %  ii      ׀Moreover, substantialgroundsfor 0*%( apprehendingsuchafatemustgobeyondamerepossibilityorsuspicionoftorture. * %  iii      ׀Applyingthese  +p&) teststotheinstantcase,theStatepartyargues,regardingtheinconsistenciesoutlinedabove,thatthe ,`'* authorshavefailedtoargueconvincinglythattherearesubstantialgroundsforfearinga -P(+  foreseeable,realandpersonalriskoftortureintheircases.Theauthorshavenotsatisfactorily -@), establishedthattheyareatgreaterriskthanotherTamilsresidentinColombo.Theyhaveneverput  themselvesforwardasopponentsoftheSriLankanauthorities,norhavetheybelongedtoapolitical  partyormovement.Nordotheiraccountssuggestcloserelativeshavebeenactive,politicallyor  otherwise,andhavethereforeattractedtheattentionoftheSriLankanauthorities.Theactivitiesthat  theauthorsprofesstohaveperformedunderduressfor_LTTE_Ԁaretrivialinnatureandextent. p  Additionalobservationsbytheauthor  P  5.1  Byletterof10April2000,theauthorsrestatetheircontentionthattheyhavedemonstrated 0  substantialgroundsforbelievingthattheyareatpersonalriskoftorture,therebyputtingtheState  p  partyinbreachofarticle3oftheConventionintheeventofareturn. `  5.2  Theauthorsclaimthatbothparentsleftthecountry,separately,onfalsepassportsand @  thereforedidnotexperienceanyproblemsinleaving.TheycontesttheStatepartysclaimthatthe 0  authoritiesimputenopoliticalinvolvementtothem,statingthatwhiletheywerenotofficially   membersofanygroup,bothweresuspectedofconnectionsto_LTTE_.Mr.S.S.wassuspectedof  spyingfor_LTTE_ԀandbeinginColombowithillintentions,whileMrs.S.A.wasaccusedofworking  for_LTTE_Ԁandemployedtoidentify_LTTE_Ԁmembersatroadblocks.Inthisregard,theauthors  contendthattheMinistryofForeignAffairsreportascribesariskofbeingheldformorethanaweek  toTamilssuspectedofhavingknowledgeof_LTTE_.  5.3  AstoMr.S.S.saccount,theauthorsrejecttheStatepartysassertionthat,uponMr.S.S.s ` releasefrompolicecustody,hewasfreetodoashepleasedandthattheyhadnospecialinterestin P him;howcouldthisbethecaseifhehadtoreporttothepolicedaily?TheauthorsrejecttheState @ partysclassification,intheabsenceofproof,ofMr.S.S.splacementonthe_Boosa_Ԁtransferlistas 0  implausible,claimingthatsuchaconclusiondoesnotfollowsimplyfrombeingreleasedaftera  p day.Nor,claimtheauthors,hadMr.S.S.sstatementsduringtheasylumprocedurepreviouslybeen ` doubtedorconsideredimplausible,norhadtherebeenarequestforfurtherinformationonthis P aspect.Therewasthereforenoreasontodoubtthisparticularimportantstatement.Similarly, @ simplybecausetheaccountofthedeathofMr.S.S.sfatherwasperhapsmistakenlytranscribeddid 0 notmakethestatementunreliable.     5.4  AstoMrs.S.A.saccount,theauthorswishtounderlinethatshehadtoldtheauthoritiesthat "  shehadbeenforcedtoworkfor_LTTE_,andtheStatepartysstatementthatshecannotberegarded #! asan_LTTE_Ԁactivistcannotbesubstantiated.TheStatepartyallegedlyignoresheruseasaninformer $" todenouncealleged_LTTE_Ԁmembers.Concerningherunclesdeath,theauthorsclaimthat,while % # unabletoproduceadeathcertificate,thereisnoreasontodoubttheinformation.TheDistrict p&!$ Courtsjudgementonwitnesscredibilityisnoreasontodoubtherstatements,whichtheauthors `'"% contendhadneverbeendoubtedbytheStateparty.Therefore,Mrs.S.A.oughttobegiventhe P(#& benefitofthedoubtonthisissue. @)$'  IssuesandproceedingsbeforetheCommittee  ,`'* 6.1  Beforeconsideringanyclaimscontainedinacommunication,theCommitteeagainstTorture -@), mustdecidewhetherornotitisadmissibleunderarticle22oftheConvention.TheCommitteehas  ascertained,asitisrequiredtodounderarticle22,paragraph5(a),oftheConvention,thatthesame  matterhasnotbeenandisnotbeingexaminedunderanotherprocedureofinternationalinvestigation  orsettlement.TheCommitteealsonotesthatalldomesticremedieshavebeenexhausted,andthat  allotheradmissibilityrequirementshavebeenmet.Accordingly,theCommitteeconsidersthe p communicationadmissible.SinceboththeStatepartyandtheauthorhaveprovidedobservations `  onthemeritsofthecommunication,theCommitteeproceedswiththeconsiderationofthosemerits. P  6.2  TheissuebeforetheCommitteeiswhethertheexpulsionoftheauthorstoSriLankawould 0  violatetheStatepartysobligationunderarticle3oftheConventionnottoexpelorreturnaperson  p  toanotherStatewheretherearesubstantialgroundsforbelievingthatheorshewouldbeindanger `  ofbeingsubjectedtotorture. P  6.3  TheCommitteemustdecide,pursuanttoarticle3,paragraph1,whethertherearesubstantial 0  groundsforbelievingthattheauthorswouldbeindangerofbeingsubjectedtotortureifreturned   toSriLanka.Inreachingthisdecision,itmusttakeintoaccountallrelevantconsiderations,pursuant  toarticle3,paragraph2,includingtheexistenceofaconsistentpatternofgross,flagrantormass  violationsofhumanrights.Theaimofthedetermination,however,istoestablishwhetherthe  individualsconcernedwouldbepersonallyatriskofbeingsubjectedtotorture.Theexistenceofa  consistentpatternofgross,flagrantormassviolationsofhumanrightsinthecountrydoesnotby  itselfconstituteasufficientgroundfordeterminingthataparticularpersonwouldbeindangerof p beingsubjectedtotortureuponreturningtothatcountry;theremustbeothergroundsindicatingthat ` heorshewouldbepersonallyatrisk.Similarly,theabsenceofaconsistentpatternofgross P violationsofhumanrightsdoesnotmeanthatapersoncannotbeindangeroftortureinhisorher @ specificcircumstances. 0 6.4  TheCommitteerecallsitsgeneralcommentontheimplementationofarticle3,whichreads: ` 8  BearinginmindthattheStatepartyandtheCommitteeareobligedtoassess @ whethertherearesubstantialgroundsforbelievingthattheauthorwouldbeindanger 0 ofbeingsubjectedtotorturewerehe/shetobeexpelled,returnedorextradited,the   riskoftorturemustbeassessedongroundsthatgobeyondmeretheoryorsuspicion. ! However,theriskdoesnothavetomeetthetestofbeinghighlyprobableUSUK.,(A/53/44, "  annexIX,para.UK.,US.,q6).#!   6.5  Inthepresentcase,theCommitteenotesthattheauthorswereprovidedwitha % # comprehensiveexaminationoftheirclaims,withmultipleopportunitiestocontributetoandcorrect p&!$ theformalrecord,withaninvestigationbyanindependentadvisorycommissionaswellasjudicial `'"% review.TheCommitteenotestheattentiondrawnbytheStatepartytothedeterminationsofits P(#& variousauthoritiesofanumberofinconsistenciesandcontradictionsintheauthorsaccounts, @)$' castingdoubtontheveracityoftheallegations.Italsonotestheexplanationsprovidedbythe 0*%( authorsinthatrespect.  +p&) 6.6  TheCommitteefindsthattheauthorshavefailedtoshowsignificantgroundsthatthe -P(+ evaluationoftheStatepartysauthoritieswasarbitraryorotherwiseunreasonable,inconcluding -@), generallythatthelikelihoodoftortureofTamilsinColombowhobelongtoa highriskgroupis  notsogreatthatthegroupasawholerunsasubstantialriskofbeingsoexposed.Norhavethey  demonstratedanyinaccuracyintheStatepartysconclusionthatthesituationinSriLankaisnot  suchthatforTamilsingeneral,eveniftheyarefromthenorthofthecountry,substantialgrounds  existforbelievingthattheyrisktortureifreturnedfromabroad. p 6.7  Astotheauthorsindividualcircumstances,theCommitteeconsidersthattherespective P  detentionssufferedbytheauthorsdonotdistinguishtheauthorscasesfromthoseofmanyother @  Tamilshavingundergonesimilarexperiences,andinparticulartheydonotdemonstratethatthe 0  respectivedetentionswereaccompaniedbytortureorothercircumstanceswhichwouldgiveriseto  p  arealfearoftortureinthefuture.Inthecircumstances,theCommitteeconsidersthattheauthors `  havefailedtodemonstrate,generally,thattheirmembershipofaparticulargroup,and/or, P  specifically,thattheirindividualcircumstancesgiverisetoapersonal,realandforeseeableriskof @  beingtorturedifreturnedtoSriLankaatthistime. 0  6.8  TheCommitteeagainstTorture,actingunderarticle22,paragraph7,oftheConvention  againstTortureandOtherCruel,InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishment,concludesthat  theauthorsremovalfromtheStatepartywouldnotconstituteabreachofarticle3ofthe  Convention.    Notes ` I  #X XX'X U#