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ÐÌòòAdopts€the€followingóó:Ð ô$D # ÐÌÌò òòòÓ  ÓDecision€under€article€22,€paragraph€7,€of€the€Conventionóóó óÐ ¸'#& ÐÓÕÓÌÌ1.1€The€complainant€is€Mr.€S.€S.€,€a€Sri€Lankan€national€belonging€to€the€Tamil€population€group,Ð |*Ì%) Ðborn€on€27€November€1956€in€Ô_ÔKaytsÔ_Ô€(Ô_ÔJaffnaÔ_Ô),€currently€residing€in€the€Netherlands€and€awaitingÐ h+¸&* Ðdeportation€to€Sri€Lanka.€He€claims€that€his€forcible€return€to€Sri€Lanka€would€constitute€a€violationÐ T,¤'+ Ðby€the€Netherlands€of€article€3€of€the€Convention€against€Torture€and€Other€Cruel,€Inhuman€orÐ @-(, ÐDegrading€Treatment€or€Punishment.€He€is€represented€by€counsel.Ð ° ÐÌ1.2€On€23€October€2001,€the€Committee€forwarded€the€complaint€to€the€State€party€for€commentsÐ ˆØ Ðand€requested€it,€under€Rule€108,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Committeeððs€rules€of€procedure,€not€to€expelÐ tÄ Ðthe€complainant€to€Sri€Lanka€while€his€complaint€was€under€consideration€by€the€Committee.€TheÐ `° ÐState€party€acceded€to€this€request.Ð L œ ÐÌò òòòThe€facts€as€submitted€by€the€complainantóóó óÐ $ t ÐÌ2.1€The€complainant€lived€in€the€Ô_ÔJaffnaÔ_Ô€district€from€1989€until€1995,€where€he€worked€as€a€karateÐ ü L  Ðteacher€and€also€gave€lessons€to€members€of€the€Liberation€Tigers€of€Tamil€Ô_ÔEelamÔ_Ô€(Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô).€AlthoughÐ è 8  Ðhe€sympathized€with€the€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô,€he€refused€to€give€lessons€at€their€military€camps.€When€the€SriÐ Ô$  ÐLankan€army€took€over€Ô_ÔJaffnaÔ_Ô€in€late€1995,€he€fled€to€Ô_ÔChavakachcheryÔ_Ô,€and€thereafter€to€Ô_ÔKillinochiÔ_Ô,Ð À  Ðtogether€with€his€wife€and€children.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ2.2€On€7€April€1996,€the€complainantððs€mother€died€in€Ô_ÔTrincomaleeÔ_Ô,€which€was€controlled€partly€byÐ „Ô  Ðthe€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô,€partly€by€the€Sri€Lankan€army.€The€complainant€wanted€to€travel€to€Ô_ÔTrincomaleeÔ_Ô€to€payÐ pÀ Ðtribute€to€his€deceased€mother€but€was€refused€a€travel€pass€by€the€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô€because€he€did€not€haveÐ \¬ Ðanyone€to€vouch€for€him.€òò1/óó€€In€June€1996,€in€return€for€free€karate€lessons€which€he€gave€to€someÐ H˜ ÐÔ_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô€members,€he€finally€managed€to€obtain€permission€to€travel€to€Ô_ÔMullaitivuÔ_Ô€ð!ð€still€located€in€theÐ 4„ ÐÔ_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô„controlled€area€ð!ð€together€with€a€guide.€After€staying€in€Ô_ÔMullaitivuÔ_Ô€for€two€months€at€theÐ  p Ðhouse€of€a€fisherman,€he€Ô_ÔtraveledÔ_Ô€to€the€Ô_ÔTrincomaleeÔ_Ô€district€on€a€fishing€boat.€He€hid€for€two€toÐ  \ Ðthree€months€with€a€Tamil€in€the€Ô_ÔAnbuvelipuramÔ_Ô€district€of€Ô_ÔTrincomaleeÔ_Ô€before€he€went€to€hisÐ øH Ðsisterððs€house€in€the€centre€of€Ô_ÔTrincomaleeÔ_Ô€in€November€1996.Ð ä4 ÐÌ2.3€On€13€December€1996,€two€days€after€the€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô€had€bombed€a€military€camp€of€the€Sri€LankanÐ ¼  Ðarmy,€the€army€conquered€Ô_ÔTrincomaleeÔ_Ô€and€arrested€a€large€number€of€people,€including€theÐ ¨ø Ðcomplainant.€Everyone€above€the€age€of€twelve€had€to€stand€in€front€of€a€temple€where€a€maskedÐ ”ä Ðman€picked€out€the€complainant€and€other€men.€The€complainant€was€brought€to€a€military€camp€inÐ €Ð ÐÔ_ÔTrincomaleeÔ_Ô€where€he€was€detained€for€approximately€two€months.€He€was€locked€with€four€otherÐ l¼ Ðmen€in€a€narrow€cell€with€little€light€and€a€concrete€floor€and€without€any€furniture.€He€was€givenÐ X ¨ Ðone€daily€meal€of€poor€quality.€Since€the€cell€did€not€have€a€toilet,€the€prisoners€had€to€relieveÐ D!” Ðthemselves€in€the€corners€of€the€room,€excrements€being€removed€from€the€cell€occasionally.Ð 0"€  ÐReportedly,€the€soldiers€entered€the€cell€regularly,€especially€following€armed€attacks€by€the€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô,Ð #l! Ðto€maltreat€the€prisoners€by€kicking€and€beating€them,€sometimes€asking€questions€at€the€same€time.Ð $X" ÐThe€complainant€states€that€he€was€asked€whether€he€was€a€karate€teacher,€which€he€denied.€He€andÐ ô$D # Ðthe€other€men€were€often€naked€or,€respectively,€dressed€in€underwear€only.€Frequently,€the€soldiersÐ à%0!$ Ðpoured€water€on€them€before€the€beating€began.€The€complainant€was€beaten€in€many€different€ways:Ð Ì&"% Ðwith€the€flat€hand,€the€fist,€the€back€of€a€rifle€and€with€a€rubber€rod.€Once€he€was€allegedly€beatenÐ ¸'#& Ðon€his€soles€with€a€round€stick€causing€him€severe€pain€in€his€feet€for€several€days.€Another€time,€heÐ ¤(ô#' Ðwas€put€against€a€cupboard€with€his€hands€up€and€was€hit€on€his€back€with€a€rubber€rod€causing€himÐ )à$( Ðchronic€pain€in€the€back,€which€allegedly€persists€to€date.€He€was€fist„punched€on€his€eye,€leavingÐ |*Ì%) Ðan€injury€on€one€of€his€eyebrows.€Soldiers€also€beat€him€on€the€genitals€and€on€the€kidneys,€whichÐ h+¸&* Ðresulted€in€a€swollen€testicle€and€blood€in€his€urine.€Moreover,€he€was€allegedly€burned€with€a€hotÐ T,¤'+ Ðstick€on€his€left€arm,€leaving€scars.€The€big€toe€of€his€right€foot€was€severely€injured€when€hisÐ @-(, Ðtorturers€stamped€on€that€foot€with€their€boots.€When€the€soldiers€hit€his€right€hand€with€a€brokenÐ ° Ðbottle€and€asked€him€ð ðArenððt€you€a€karate€teacher?ðð,€he€lost€consciousness.€€òò2/óóÐ œì ÐÌ2.4€The€complainant€woke€up€in€a€hospital€in€the€military€camp€where€he€stayed€for€a€few€days€untilÐ tÄ Ðan€unknown€Muslim€man€named€Ô_ÔNuhumanÔ_Ô€managed€to€organize€his€escape.€The€complainantÐ `° Ðsuspects€that€his€sister€had€paid€money€to€Ô_ÔNuhumanÔ_Ô€and€that€the€latter€had€bribed€the€guards€in€frontÐ L œ Ðof€his€hospital€room.€The€complainant€states€that,€together€with€Ô_ÔNuhumanÔ_Ô,€he€was€able€to€leave€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðhospital€and€the€military€camp€without€any€difficulty.Ð $ t ÐÌ2.5€Ô_ÔNuhumanÔ_Ô€drove€the€complainant€to€Colombo€from€where€he€left€Sri€Lanka€by€plane€on€14Ð ü L  ÐFebruary€1997,€under€the€name€of€Mohamed€Alee,€using€a€forged€Sri€Lankan€passport.€He€first€flewÐ è 8  Ðto€Ô_ÔDubaiÔ_Ô€and€then€to€Ukraine,€where€he€stayed€for€five€months.€On€1€August€1997,€a€Russian€ð ðtravelÐ Ô$  Ðagentðð€took€him€to€an€unknown€place€by€truck€from€where€he€crossed€a€river€together€with€five€otherÐ À  ÐTamils.€They€were€brought€to€a€city€in€Poland€unknown€to€the€complainant€and€took€a€train€to€Berlin.Ð ¬ü  ÐOn€14€August€1997,€the€Russian€guide€brought€the€complainant€to€the€Netherlands€where€he€appliedÐ ˜è  Ðfor€admission€as€a€refugee€and€for€a€residence€permit€on€15€August€1997.€The€same€day,€he€was€firstÐ „Ô  Ðinterviewed€by€an€officer€of€the€Dutch€Immigration€and€Naturalization€Department€(IND),€who€askedÐ pÀ Ðhim€about€his€identity€and€nationality,€civil€status,€family€connections,€travel€and€other€documents,Ð \¬ Ðthe€date€and€manner€of€departure€from€Sri€Lanka,€as€well€as€the€route€by€which€he€Ô_ÔtraveledÔ_Ô€to€theÐ H˜ ÐNetherlands.Ð 4„ ÐÌ2.6€By€letter€of€16€February€1998,€the€complainant€filed€an€objection€with€the€IND€against€its€failureÐ  \ Ðto€take€a€decision€on€his€refugee€application€within€the€prescribed€time€limit€of€six€months.€On€7Ð øH ÐApril€1998,€he€lodged€an€appeal€with€the€District€Court€in€Zwolle€against€the€INDððs€failure€to€takeÐ ä4 Ða€timely€decision€on€the€objection.€He€withdrew€the€appeal€on€4€June€1998€after€the€IND€hadÐ Ð  Ðpromised€to€expedite€its€decision,€but€renewed€it€by€letter,€dated€28€August€1998,€because€IND€hadÐ ¼  Ðnot€kept€its€promise.€By€decision€of€18€November€1998,€the€district€court€ordered€the€IND€to€decideÐ ¨ø Ðon€the€complainantððs€application€within€six€weeks.Ð ”ä ÐÌ2.7€On€6€October€1998,€the€complainant€was€interviewed€a€second€time,€assisted€by€an€interpreter.Ð l¼ ÐIn€the€three„hour€interview,€the€complainant€reiterated€his€statement€made€during€the€first€interviewÐ X ¨ Ðthat€his€wife€was€three€months€pregnant€when€he€left€her€in€June€1996,€that€he€did€not€meet€her€againÐ D!” Ðafter€he€had€left€Ô_ÔKillinochiÔ_Ô,€and€that€he€was€hiding€during€his€two„month€stay€in€Ô_ÔMullaitivuÔ_Ô.€As€toÐ 0"€  Ðhis€family€situation,€he€stated€that€his€father€had€died€during€a€bombing€raid€by€the€Sri€Lankan€armyÐ #l! Ðand€that€one€of€his€daughters€had€died€of€fever€because€she€could€not€be€brought€to€a€hospital€in€timeÐ $X" Ðdue€to€a€curfew.€By€letter€of€1€December€1998,€the€complainantððs€former€lawyer€challenged€theÐ ô$D # Ðcircumstances€of€the€second€interview.€At€the€same€time,€he€submitted€letters€the€complainant€hadÐ à%0!$ Ðreceived€from€his€wife,€indicating€that€she€had€given€birth€to€a€child€on€21€May€1997.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ2.8€On€11€February€1999,€the€complainant€was€heard€by€an€IND€committee.€The€hearingÐ ¤(ô#' Ðconcentrated€on€the€contradiction€between€the€complainantððs€statement€that€his€wife€was€threeÐ )à$( Ðmonths€pregnant€when€he€left€her€in€June€1996€and€the€fact€that€she€gave€birth€to€a€child€on€21€MayÐ |*Ì%) Ð1997.€At€the€end€of€the€hearing,€the€complainantððs€former€lawyer€told€the€commission€that€he€wouldÐ h+¸&* Ðclarify€this€matter.€By€letter€of€26€February,€the€lawyer€informed€the€IND€that€the€complainantÐ T,¤'+ Ðinsisted€that€his€wife€had€been€three€months€pregnant€in€June€1996.€Furthermore,€he€was€not€hidingÐ @-(, Ðin€the€strict€sense€of€the€word€while€staying€in€Ô_ÔMullaitivuÔ_Ô€and€his€wife€occasionally€visited€him€there.Ð ° ÐHis€wife€had€a€miscarriage,€a€fact€not€easily€spoken€about€in€Hindu€culture€especially€since,€in€HinduÐ œì Ðreligion,€the€birth€of€the€lost€child€would€have€represented€the€rebirth€of€the€complainantððs€deceasedÐ ˆØ Ðmother.€The€complainant€did€not€even€tell€his€closest€brother€about€this€loss€until€February€1999.Ð tÄ ÐÌ2.9€On€15€March€1999€and€on€22€April€1999,€the€IND€asked€the€Bureau€for€Medical€Advice€(Ô_ÔBMAÔ_Ô)Ð L œ Ðwhether€the€complainant€needed€medical€treatment€and€whether€he€was€healthy€enough€to€travel.€OnÐ 8 ˆ Ð20€May€1999,€the€IND€rejected€the€objection€against€its€failure€to€take€a€timely€decision€on€theÐ $ t Ðcomplainantððs€refugee€application.€At€the€same€time,€the€complainant€was€informed€that€hisÐ  ` Ðexpulsion€would€be€suspended€pending€receipt€of€medical€advice€by€the€Ô_ÔBMAÔ_Ô.€The€IND€justifiedÐ ü L  Ðits€decision€as€follows:€(a)€The€fact€that€the€complainant€is€a€Tamil€was€not€by€itself€consideredÐ è 8  Ðsufficient€to€be€granted€asylum;€(b)€the€contradiction€in€the€complainantððs€statements€about€theÐ Ô$  Ðpregnancies€of€his€wife€and€his€hiding€in€Ô_ÔMullaitivuÔ_Ô;€(c)€the€implausible€description€of€theÐ À  Ðcomplainantððs€escape€from€the€military€hospital€considering€that,€pursuant€to€his€own€account,€heÐ ¬ü  Ðwas€a€relatively€important€prisoner;€and€(d)€the€absence€of€humanitarian€reasons€necessitating€aÐ ˜è  Ðstaying€permit.€The€IND€concluded€that€the€complainant€would€not€be€exposed€to€a€risk€of€tortureÐ „Ô  Ðif€he€were€returned€to€Sri€Lanka€and€that€there€was€no€basis€to€apply€the€policy€on€post„traumaticÐ pÀ Ðstress€disorder€as€a€ground€for€admission,€since€his€allegations€of€torture€were€not€credible.€TheÐ \¬ Ðdecision€was€accompanied€by€advice€on€applicable€remedies€informing€the€complainant€that€hisÐ H˜ Ðexpulsion€would€be€suspended€upon€appeal€to€court.Ð 4„ ÐÌ2.10€On€16€June€1999,€the€complainant€lodged€an€appeal€with€the€district€court€in€Zwolle€against€theÐ  \ Ðabove€decision,€arguing€as€follows:€(a)€The€IND€was€not€justified€in€rejecting€his€explanationÐ øH Ðregarding€the€pregnancies€of€his€wife;€(b)€his€detailed€description€of€the€facts€as€well€as€visible€scarsÐ ä4 Ðon€his€body€refuted€INDððs€conclusion€that€his€allegations€of€torture€lacked€credibility;€(c)€bribingÐ Ð  Ðsoldiers€was€a€widespread€phenomenon€in€Sri€Lanka€and€a€plausible€explanation€for€his€release€fromÐ ¼  Ðthe€military€hospital;€(d)€the€IND€failed€to€take€into€account€statements€made€by€his€brother€twelveÐ ¨ø Ðyears€ago€in€the€context€of€his€own€application€for€asylum€in€the€Netherlands€confirming€that€theÐ ”ä Ðcomplainant€had€always€had€problems€because€of€his€karate€background;€and€(e)€that€his€experienceÐ €Ð Ðof€torture€was€sufficiently€Ô_ÔtraumatizingÔ_Ô€for€the€policy€on€post„traumatic€stress€disorder€to€be€appliedÐ l¼ Ðin€his€case.Ð X ¨ ÐÌ2.11€Medical€advice€by€Ô_ÔBMAÔ_Ô€was€given€on€14€December€1999,€stating€that,€at€the€time€the€adviceÐ 0"€  Ðwas€issued,€the€complainant€suffered€from€a€medical€condition€including€pain€on€his€lower€back€andÐ #l! Ðproblems€with€his€eyes,€that€he€no€longer€received€any€specific€medical€treatment,€that€he€was€ableÐ $X" Ðto€travel€and€that€no€medical€emergency€situation€was€to€be€expected.Ð ô$D # ÐÌ2.12€By€letter€of€8€November€2000,€the€IND€informed€the€complainant€that€the€suspension€of€hisÐ Ì&"% Ðexpulsion€would€be€lifted.€By€letter€of€15€November€2000,€the€lawyer€of€the€complainant€submittedÐ ¸'#& Ðan€application€for€an€interim€injunction€to€the€Hague€District€Court.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌ2.13€At€the€request€of€the€complainantððs€lawyer,€the€medical€examination€group€of€the€Dutch€SectionÐ |*Ì%) Ðof€Amnesty€International€issued€a€medical€report€on€12€June€2001,€stating€that€the€complainant€hasÐ h+¸&* Ðseveral€scars€on€his€body€and€cannot€fully€stretch€his€index€finger.€While€the€scars€on€his€body,Ð T,¤'+ Ðespecially€burn€marks€on€his€left€arm,€a€wound€on€his€toe€and€a€piece€of€dark€skin€near€his€eye,Ð @-(, Ðseemingly€confirmed€his€torture€allegations,€the€problem€with€the€complainantððs€index€finger€mightÐ ° Ðhave€been€caused€by€the€alleged€hits€with€a€broken€bottle.€The€report€also€states€that€no€anatomicalÐ œì Ðdamage€of€the€complainantððs€back€can€be€diagnosed€but€that€this€fact€does€not€exclude€a€possibleÐ ˆØ Ðrelationship€between€the€apparent€chronic€back€pain€of€the€complainant€and€the€beatings€he€allegedlyÐ tÄ Ðsuffered.€Moreover,€the€report€concludes€that€the€psychological€symptoms€shown€by€theÐ `° Ðcomplainant,€such€as€permanent€suffering€from€his€past€experiences,€his€increased€sensitivity€andÐ L œ Ðover„anxiousness,€his€problems€of€concentration,€as€well€as€insomnia,€are€typical€signs€of€a€post„Ð 8 ˆ Ðtraumatic€stress€disorder.Ð $ t ÐÌ2.14€On€2€July€2001,€the€Hague€District€Court€dismissed€the€appeal€against€the€decision€by€the€INDÐ ü L  Ðof€20€May€1999€as€unfounded€and€declared€the€application€for€interim€measures€inadmissible.€ItÐ è 8  Ðconsidered€that€the€complainantððs€allegations€lacked€credibility€because€of€the€contradictoryÐ Ô$  Ðstatement€on€the€pregnancies€of€his€wife€and€because€of€his€failure€to€state€the€truth€on€whether€heÐ À  Ðwas€hiding€during€his€stay€in€Ô_ÔMullaitivuÔ_Ô.€The€Court€also€held€that€no€grounds€existed€for€applyingÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€policy€on€post„traumatic€stress€disorder€and€that€the€complainant€did€not€suffer€any€disadvantageÐ ˜è  Ðfrom€the€fact€that€the€IND€rendered€its€decision€without€having€waited€for€the€Ô_ÔBMAÔ_Ôððs€medicalÐ „Ô  Ðadvice.€Moreover,€the€Court€considered€that€the€complainant€did€not€belong€to€a€category€of€personsÐ pÀ Ðwho€would€be€at€risk€of€being€treated€in€violation€of€article€3€of€the€European€Convention€for€theÐ \¬ ÐProtection€of€Human€Rights€and€Fundamental€Freedoms,€if€returned€to€Sri€Lanka.Ð H˜ ÐÌòòò òThe€complaintóóó óÐ  p ÐÌ3.1€Counsel€claims€that€the€findings€of€the€District€Court€do€not€rule€out€that€the€complainant€runsÐ øH Ða€substantial€risk€of€being€subjected€to€torture€or€other€cruel,€inhuman€or€degrading€treatment€uponÐ ä4 Ðreturn€to€Sri€Lanka€and,€therefore,€the€Netherlands€would€be€violating€article€3€of€the€ConventionÐ Ð  Ðif€he€were€returned€to€that€country.Ð ¼  ÐÌ3.2€As€to€the€complainantððs€credibility,€counsel€submits€that€the€essential€part€of€his€statements€relateÐ ”ä Ðto€the€time€when€he€was€detained€in€the€Ô_ÔTrincomaleeÔ_Ô€military€camp€rather€than€to€the€question€whenÐ €Ð Ðhis€wife€was€pregnant€or€when€she€gave€birth.Ð l¼ ÐÌ3.3€Counsel€complains€about€the€circumstances€under€which€the€second€interview€was€conductedÐ D!” Ðby€the€IND€and€about€the€manner€in€which€the€complainant€was€confronted€with€the€inconsistenciesÐ 0"€  Ðin€his€statements€about€the€pregnancies€of€his€wife€and€about€his€hiding€in€Ô_ÔMullaitivuÔ_Ô.Ð #l! ÐÌ3.4€Counsel€submits€that,€apart€from€the€medical€advice€by€the€Ô_ÔBMAÔ_Ô,€the€IND€should€haveÐ ô$D # Ðconsidered€the€medical€report€by€the€Amnesty€International€medical€research€group,€which,Ð à%0!$ Ðaccording€to€counsel,€corroborates€the€complainantððs€allegations€and€confirms€that€he€is€traumatized.Ð Ì&"% ÐCounsel€claims€that€the€benefit€of€the€doubt€should€be€applied€in€Ô_ÔfavorÔ_Ô€of€the€complainant€since€foolÐ ¸'#& Ðproof€evidence€hardly€ever€exists€in€asylum€cases.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌ3.5€According€to€counsel,€the€complainant€cannot€be€returned€to€the€part€of€Sri€Lanka€which€isÐ |*Ì%) Ðcontrolled€by€the€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô,€because€the€situation€in€that€area€is€generally€unsafe€due€to€militaryÐ h+¸&* Ðoperations€by€the€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô€as€well€as€by€the€Sri€Lankan€army€and€because€the€complainant€has€to€fearÐ T,¤'+ Ðsanctions€for€having€left€that€area€without€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô€approval.€By€the€same€token,€the€complainantÐ @-(, Ðcannot,€in€counselððs€view,€be€sent€to€the€South€of€Sri€Lanka€where€he€would€be€at€risk€of€beingÐ ° Ðtortured€since€(a)€his€past€as€a€well„known€karate€teacher€would€raise€the€suspicion€of€involvementÐ œì Ðwith€the€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô;€(b)€the€scars€on€his€body€may€lead€to€the€conclusion€that€he€was€involved€in€theÐ ˆØ Ðarmed€struggle€of€or€at€least€trained€by€the€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô;€and€(c)€his€Tamil€origin,€his€inability€to€speakÐ tÄ ÐSinhalese€and€the€fact€that€he€neither€has€an€ID€nor€a€valid€reason€for€wanting€to€stay€in€the€SouthÐ `° Ðincrease€the€risk€of€being€arrested,€and€eventually€tortured,€by€the€Sri€Lankan€police.€òò3/óóÐ L œ ÐÌ3.7€Counsel€concludes€that€upon€return€to€Sri€Lanka,€the€complainant€would€be€exposed€to€aÐ $ t Ðsubstantial€risk€of€being€arrested€and€detained€for€a€period€longer€than€the€regular€48€to€72€hours€forÐ  ` Ðwhich€Tamils€are€frequently€detained€following€identity€checks.€According€to€counsel,€the€risk€ofÐ ü L  Ðbeing€tortured€during€such€a€prolonged€period€of€detention€is€generally€high.Ð è 8  ÐÌòòò òThe€State€partyððs€observations€on€admissibility€and€meritsó óóóÐ À  ÐÌ4.1€On€22€April€2002,€the€State€party€submitted€its€observations€on€the€merits€of€the€complaint.€TheÐ ˜è  ÐState€party€does€not€contest€the€admissibility€of€the€complaint.Ð „Ô  ÐÌ4.2€The€State€party€submits€that€due€to€the€high€population€density€in€the€Netherlands,€the€admissionÐ \¬ Ðof€asylum€seekers€to€the€country€is€limited€to€three€grounds€for€admission:€(a)€Refugee€status€underÐ H˜ Ðthe€1951€Geneva€Convention€relating€to€the€Status€of€Refugees;€(b)€the€preservation€of€essentialÐ 4„ ÐDutch€interests;€and€(c)€compelling€reasons€of€a€humanitarian€nature.€Refugee€status€under€(a)Ð  p Ðrequires€well„founded€reasons€to€fear€persecution€on€the€basis€of€religious,€ideological€or€politicalÐ  \ Ðconvictions€or€nationality€or€on€the€basis€of€membership€of€a€particular€race€or€social€group.€InÐ øH Ðdetermining€whether€a€person€is€a€refugee,€the€Dutch€authorities€also€assess€if€return€to€the€countryÐ ä4 Ðof€origin€would€conflict€with€the€State€partyððs€obligations€under€article€3€of€the€Convention€AgainstÐ Ð  ÐTorture€and€Other€Cruel,€Inhuman€or€Degrading€Treatment€or€Punishment€and€under€article€3€of€theÐ ¼  ÐEuropean€Convention€for€the€Protection€of€Human€Rights€and€Fundamental€Freedoms.€AsylumÐ ¨ø Ðapplications€are€dealt€with€by€the€IND,€which€is€subordinate€to€the€Ministry€of€Justice.€After€a€firstÐ ”ä Ðand€a€second€interview€with€the€applicant,€the€IND€officer€who€conducted€the€second€interviewÐ €Ð Ðprepares€a€report€on€which€the€applicant€may€submit€comments.€Based€on€a€legal€presumption,Ð l¼ Ðfailure€by€the€IND€to€take€a€decision€on€the€asylum€application€within€six€months€constitutes€aÐ X ¨ Ðnegative€decision€against€which€the€applicant€may€file€an€objection.€If€the€applicant€invokes€medicalÐ D!” Ðgrounds€for€his€refugee€claim,€a€medical€advice€with€the€legal€value€of€expert€opinion€may€be€soughtÐ 0"€  Ðfrom€the€Medical€Assessment€Section€(Ô_ÔBMAÔ_Ô)€of€the€Ministry€of€Justice.€Pending€the€Ô_ÔBMAÔ_ÔððsÐ #l! Ðopinion,€the€expulsion€of€the€applicant,€if€ordered,€may€be€suspended.Ð $X" ÐÌ4.3€With€regard€to€the€human€rights€situation€in€Sri€Lanka,€the€State€party€refers€to€three€decisionsÐ à%0!$ Ðof€the€District€Court€of€the€Hague€and€the€1996„2001€country€reports€by€the€Netherlandsðð€MinistryÐ Ì&"% Ðof€Foreign€Affairs€which€state€that€the€return€of€rejected€Tamil€asylum€seekers€to€the€governmentÐ ¸'#& Ðcontrolled€areas€of€the€West,€the€Ô_ÔcenterÔ_Ô€and€the€South€of€Sri€Lanka€ð!ð€where€no€registration€with€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðpolice€or€another€authority€is€required€in€order€to€settle€ð!ð€was€still€a€responsible€course€of€action.Ð )à$( ÐHowever,€the€2000€report€also€states€that€in€these€areas€Tamils€are€frequently€detained€for€up€to€72Ð |*Ì%) Ðhours€in€the€context€of€identity€checks.€Moreover,€in€Colombo,€Tamils€were€occasionally€harassedÐ h+¸&* Ðby€the€Sinhalese€population€and€sometimes€tortured€by€the€police€when€suspected€to€be€involvedÐ T,¤'+ Ðwith€the€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô.€The€country€reports€also€identify€a€number€of€risk€factors€which€contribute€either€toÐ @-(, Ð(1)€the€general€risk€of€being€arrested€for€48„72€hours€following€an€identity€check€or€(2)€theÐ ° Ðaggravated€risk€of€being€detained€for€a€longer€period€of€time€in€which€case€the€danger€to€be€torturedÐ œì Ðincreases€substantially.€Risk€factors€under€(1)€include€(a)€young€age;€(b)€little€knowledge€ofÐ ˆØ ÐSinhalese;€and€(c)€Tamil€origin.€Risk€factors€under€(2)€include€(a)€recent€arrival€in€Colombo€fromÐ tÄ Ðone€of€the€countryððs€war€zones;€(b)€non„possession€of€valid€identity€documents;€(c)€data€containedÐ `° Ðin€police€files€indicating€that€a€person€might€be€involved€in€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô€activities€or€might€have€knowledgeÐ L œ Ðof€such€activities;€and€(d)€scars€on€the€body€of€a€person€in€case€a€suspicion€of€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô€involvementÐ 8 ˆ Ðalready€exists.€In€case€of€firm€evidence€of€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô€involvement,€a€person€can€be€detained€for€a€periodÐ $ t Ðof€up€to€18€months€under€the€Emergency€Regulations€or€the€Prevention€of€Terrorism€Act.Ð  ` ÐÌ4.4€With€respect€to€the€complainantððs€claim€under€article€3€of€the€Convention,€the€State€partyÐ è 8  Ðsubmits€that,€even€if€a€consistent€pattern€of€gross€violations€of€human€rights€existed€in€Sri€Lanka,Ð Ô$  Ðthe€existence€of€such€a€pattern€would€not€as€such€constitute€a€sufficient€ground€for€determining€thatÐ À  Ða€particular€person€would€be€at€risk€of€being€subjected€to€torture€upon€return€to€that€country.Ð ¬ü  ÐAccording€to€the€Committeeððs€jurisprudence€4€,€specific€grounds€must€exist€indicating€that€theÐ ˜è  Ðindividual€concerned€would€be€personally€at€risk€of€being€subjected€to€torture.€The€State€party€alsoÐ „Ô  Ðrefers€to€the€Committeeððs€jurisprudence€that€ð ðsubstantial€groundsðð€in€article€3€require€more€than€aÐ pÀ Ðmere€possibility€of€torture.Ð \¬ ÐÌ4.5€In€the€State€partyððs€view,€the€complainant€would€not€run€a€real,€personal€and€foreseeable€risk€ofÐ 4„ Ðbeing€tortured€if€he€were€returned€to€Sri€Lanka.€The€mere€fact€that€he€is€a€Tamil€does€not€in€itselfÐ  p Ðconstitute€sufficient€grounds€to€establish€such€a€risk.€Moreover,€the€State€party€submits€that€theÐ  \ Ðcomplainantððs€statements€lack€credibility.€This€was€reflected€by€the€contradiction€in€his€statementÐ øH Ðthat€his€wife€was€three€months€pregnant€in€June€1996,€and€the€fact€that€she€gave€birth€in€May€1997.Ð ä4 ÐThe€complainant€had€not€been€able€to€explain€this€contradiction€when€confronted€with€that€questionÐ Ð  Ðbefore€the€IND€commission€on€11€February€1999.€Only€in€a€letter€of€26€February€1999€of€his€lawyer,Ð ¼  Ðhe€admitted€that€he€had€not€been€ð ðhidingðð€in€Ô_ÔMullaitivuÔ_Ô€and€that€he€had€met€his€wife€after€herÐ ¨ø Ðmiscarriage,€while€he€was€staying€in€Ô_ÔMullaitivuÔ_Ô.€The€State€party€submits€that€this€explanation€differsÐ ”ä Ðin€essential€points€from€his€earlier€statements.€Such€discrepancy€cannot,€in€the€State€partyððs€view,Ð €Ð Ðbe€explained€solely€by€criticizing€the€poor€quality€of€the€translation€of€the€complainantððs€statements.Ð l¼ ÐEven€if€his€cultural€background€prevented€the€complainant€from€speaking€about€his€wifeððsÐ X ¨ Ðmiscarriage,€there€was€no€need€for€him€to€make€incorrect€statements€about€his€stay€in€Ô_ÔMullaitivuÔ_Ô.€TheÐ D!” ÐState€party€also€considers€his€credibility€undermined€by€his€statements€regarding€his€escape€from€theÐ 0"€  Ðmilitary€camp€in€Ô_ÔTrincomaleeÔ_Ô.€It€was€unlikely€that€he€could€escape€from€the€camp€without€anyÐ #l! Ðdifficulty,€while€Sri€Lankan€soldiers€stood€watching.Ð $X" ÐÌ4.6€The€State€party€adds€that€the€complainant€has€not€convincingly€established€that€the€Sri€LankanÐ à%0!$ Ðauthorities€would€treat€him€as€a€suspect.€His€claim€that€he€would€encounter€problems€with€theÐ Ì&"% Ðauthorities€was€based€on€speculation€unsupported€by€objective€facts,€the€only€evidence€substantiatingÐ ¸'#& Ðhis€claims€being€the€letters€from€his€family€and€friends.€With€respect€to€possible€sanctions€by€theÐ ¤(ô#' ÐÔ_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô€which€the€complainant€would€have€to€fear€upon€return€to€the€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô„controlled€part€of€SriÐ )à$( ÐLanka,€the€State€party€argues€that€such€sanctions€fall€outside€the€definition€of€torture€in€article€1€and,Ð |*Ì%) Ðtherefore,€outside€the€scope€of€article€3€of€the€Convention.€Since€according€to€article€1,€ð ðthe€termÐ h+¸&* Ðððtortureðð€means€any€act€[ð8ð]€inflicted€by€or€at€the€instigation€of€or€with€the€consent€or€acquiescenceÐ T,¤'+ Ðof€a€public€official€or€other€person€acting€in€an€official€capacityðð,€acts€by€non„State€entities€such€asÐ @-(, Ðthe€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô€could€not,€for€the€purposes€of€the€Convention,€be€considered€to€constitute€torture.€òò6/óó€€Ð ° ÐÌ4.7€As€to€the€Amnesty€International€medical€examination€group€report,€the€State€party€submits€thatÐ ˆØ Ðit€merely€confirms€that€the€complainantððs€medical€symptoms€are€partly€consistent€with€hisÐ tÄ Ðallegations.€It€did€not€imply€that€he€had€satisfactorily€established€that€these€symptoms,€as€well€asÐ `° Ðscars€on€his€body,€were€the€result€of€torture.Ð L œ ÐÌ4.8€The€State€party€concludes€that,€in€the€light€of€the€general€situation€in€Sri€Lanka€and€the€personalÐ $ t Ðcircumstances€of€the€complainant,€no€substantial€grounds€exist€for€believing€that€the€complainantÐ  ` Ðwould€run€a€real,€personal€and€foreseeable€risk€of€being€subjected€to€torture€upon€his€return€to€SriÐ ü L  ÐLanka,€in€violation€of€article€3€of€the€Convention.Ð è 8  ÐÌòòò òComplainantððs€comments€on€the€State€partyððs€submissionsó óóóÐ À  ÐÌ5.1€Counsel€submits€that€the€complainant€was€precluded€from€contesting€the€INDððs€decision€of€20Ð ˜è  ÐMay€1999€on€the€merits,€because€he€had€already€objected€to€the€INDððs€failure€to€take€a€timelyÐ „Ô  Ðdecision€on€his€asylum€application,€thereby€losing€the€possibility€to€submit€arguments€on€theÐ pÀ Ðsubstance€of€his€application€to€the€IND€before€bringing€the€case€to€court.Ð \¬ ÐÌ5.2€With€regard€to€the€medical€evidence,€counsel€criticizes€that€the€medical€advice€of€the€Ô_ÔBMAÔ_Ô€wasÐ 4„ Ðlimited€to€the€question€whether€the€complainantððs€medical€condition€required€his€admission€as€aÐ  p Ðrefugee€without€examining€the€issue€whether€his€medical€complaints€as€well€as€his€scarsÐ  \ Ðcorroborated€his€allegations€of€torture.€Counsel€further€claims€that€the€State€party€has€failed€toÐ øH Ðappreciate€the€weight€of€the€medical€report€by€the€Amnesty€International€medical€examination€group,Ð ä4 Ðwhose€reports€are€only€issued€in€a€small€number€of€credible€cases.Ð Ð  ÐÌ5.3€As€regards€the€general€situation€in€Sri€Lanka,€counsel€complains€that€the€State€party€primarilyÐ ¨ø Ðbased€its€assessment€on€the€country€reports€issued€by€the€Ministry€of€Foreign€Affairs,€withoutÐ ”ä Ðconsidering€other€relevant€sources.Ð €Ð ÐÌ5.4€With€respect€to€the€State€partyððs€challenge€to€the€complainantððs€credibility,€counsel€denies€thatÐ X ¨ Ðhis€clientððs€statements€were€inconsistent.€He€submits€that€the€State€partyððs€observation€that€theÐ D!” Ðcomplainant€qualified€the€interview€translation€as€ð ðpoorðð€is€a€simplification€of€his€argument.€WhatÐ 0"€  Ðhe€emphasized€were€the€different€possibilities€of€translating€the€word€ð ðhidingðð€into€Dutch,€eachÐ #l! Ðcarrying€with€it€a€different€meaning.Ð $X" ÐÌ5.5€Counsel€submits€that€the€complainant€cannot€reasonably€be€expected€to€prove€in€detail€how€hisÐ à%0!$ Ðrelease€from€the€military€hospital€in€Ô_ÔTrincomaleeÔ_Ô€came€about.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ5.6€As€to€the€complainantððs€personal€risk€to€be€tortured€upon€return€to€Sri€Lanka,€counsel€submitsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthat€his€reputation€as€a€karate€teacher€increases€this€risk.€In€this€respect,€counsel€criticizes€the€StateÐ )à$( Ðpartyððs€failure€to€consider€the€statements€on€the€complainantððs€karate€background€which€his€brotherÐ |*Ì%) Ðmade€in€the€context€of€his€asylum€application€in€the€Netherlands.€According€to€these€statements,€theÐ h+¸&* Ðcomplainant€had€left€Sri€Lanka€in€1984€to€live€in€Qatar€(until€1987)€because€he€was€suspected€ofÐ T,¤'+ Ðtraining€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô€militants.€Furthermore,€counsel€argues€that€the€fact€that€the€complainant€was€torturedÐ @-(, Ðin€the€past,€combined€with€the€general€danger€of€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô€suspects€to€be€tortured,€connotes€a€high€riskÐ ° Ðthat€he€would€be€detained€and€subjected€to€torture€if€he€were€to€be€returned€to€Sri€Lanka.€This€riskÐ œì Ðwas€increased€by€the€likelihood€that€the€complainantððs€name€had€been€entered€into€the€database€ofÐ ˆØ Ðthe€National€Intelligence€Bureau€when€he€was€arrested€in€Ô_ÔTrincomaleeÔ_Ô€in€1996.€Counsel€considersÐ tÄ Ðit€likely€that,€during€a€routine€screening€of€rejected€Tamil€asylum€seekers€by€the€Sri€LankanÐ `° Ðauthorities,€the€complainantððs€arrest€and€detention€in€the€military€camp€would€come€to€light€togetherÐ L œ Ðwith€the€information€that€he€worked€as€a€karate€teacher€in€Ô_ÔJaffnaÔ_Ô.€Moreover,€the€scars€on€his€bodyÐ 8 ˆ Ðwould€raise€the€suspicion€that€he€had€been€involved€in€the€armed€combat€of€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô.€CounselÐ $ t Ðconcludes€that€the€combination€of€these€facts€would€expose€the€complainant€to€a€high€personal€riskÐ  ` Ðof€being€subjected€to€torture€going€beyond€a€ð ðmere€possibilityðð.Ð ü L  ÐÌò òòòIssues€and€proceedings€before€the€Committeeóóó óÐ Ô$  ÐÌ6.1€Before€considering€any€claims€contained€in€a€communication,€the€Committee€against€TortureÐ ¬ü  Ðmust€decide€whether€or€not€it€is€admissible€under€article€22€of€the€Convention.€In€this€respect€theÐ ˜è  ÐCommittee€has€ascertained,€as€it€is€required€to€do€under€article€22,€paragraph€5€(a)€of€the€Convention,Ð „Ô  Ðthat€the€same€matter€has€not€been€and€is€not€being€examined€under€another€procedure€of€internationalÐ pÀ Ðinvestigation€or€settlement.€The€Committee€also€notes€that€the€State€party€has€not€contested€theÐ \¬ Ðadmissibility€of€the€communication.€As€the€Committee€sees€no€further€obstacles€to€admissibility,€itÐ H˜ Ðdeclares€the€communication€admissible€and€proceeds€immediately€to€the€consideration€of€the€merits.Ð 4„ ÐÌ6.2€The€Committee€must€decide€whether€the€forced€return€of€the€complainant€to€Sri€Lanka€wouldÐ  \ Ðviolate€the€State€party's€obligation,€under€article€3,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Convention,€not€to€expel€orÐ øH Ðreturn€(Ô_ÔrefoulerÔ_Ô)€an€individual€to€another€State€where€there€are€substantial€grounds€for€believing€thatÐ ä4 Ðhe€would€be€in€danger€of€being€subjected€to€torture.€In€order€to€reach€its€conclusion,€the€CommitteeÐ Ð  Ðmust€take€into€account€all€relevant€considerations,€including€the€existence,€in€the€State€concerned,Ð ¼  Ðof€a€consistent€pattern€of€gross,€flagrant€or€mass€violations€of€human€rights.€The€aim,€however,€isÐ ¨ø Ðto€determine€whether€the€individual€concerned€would€personally€risk€torture€in€the€country€to€whichÐ ”ä Ðhe€or€she€would€return.€It€follows€that€the€existence€of€a€consistent€pattern€of€gross,€flagrant€or€massÐ €Ð Ðviolations€of€human€rights€in€a€country€does€not€as€such€constitute€sufficient€grounds€for€determiningÐ l¼ Ðwhether€the€particular€person€would€be€in€danger€of€being€subjected€to€torture€upon€his€return€to€thatÐ X ¨ Ðcountry;€additional€grounds€must€be€adduced€to€show€that€the€individual€concerned€would€beÐ D!” Ðpersonally€at€risk.€Conversely,€the€absence€of€a€consistent€pattern€of€gross€violations€of€human€rightsÐ 0"€  Ðdoes€not€mean€that€a€person€cannot€be€considered€to€be€in€danger€of€being€subjected€to€torture€in€hisÐ #l! Ðor€her€specific€circumstances.€Ð $X" ÐÌ6.3€With€respect€to€the€general€human€rights€situation€in€Sri€Lanka,€the€Committee€recalls€that,€inÐ à%0!$ Ðits€concluding€observations€on€the€initial€report€of€Sri€Lanka,€it€expressed€grave€concern€aboutÐ Ì&"% Ðð ðinformation€on€serious€violations€of€the€Convention,€particularly€regarding€torture€linked€withÐ ¸'#& Ðdisappearancesðð.€òò7/óó€€The€Committee€also€notes€from€recent€reports€on€the€human€rights€situation€inÐ ¤(ô#' ÐSri€Lanka€òò8/óó€€that,€although€efforts€have€been€made€to€eradicate€torture,€instances€of€torture€continueÐ )à$( Ðto€be€reported,€and€that€complaints€of€torture€are€often€not€dealt€with€effectively€by€police,Ð |*Ì%) Ðmagistrates€and€doctors.€However,€the€Committee€equally€notes€the€ongoing€peace€process€in€SriÐ h+¸&* ÐLanka€which€led€to€the€conclusion€of€the€cease„fire€agreement€between€the€Government€and€theÐ T,¤'+ ÐÔ_ÔLTTE€of€February€2002,€and€the€ð!ðalbeit€currently€interrupted€ð!ð€negotiations€between€the€parties€toÐ @-(, Ðthe€conflict€which€have€taken€place€since.€The€Committee€further€recalls€that,€on€the€basis€of€theÐ ° Ðproceedings€concerning€its€inquiry€on€Sri€Lanka€under€article€20€of€the€Convention,€it€concluded€thatÐ œì Ðthe€practice€of€torture€is€not€systematic€in€the€State€party.€òò9/óó€€The€Committee€finally€notes€that€a€largeÐ ˆØ Ðnumber€of€Tamil€refugees€returned€to€Sri€Lanka€in€2001€and€2002.Ð tÄ ÐÌ6.4€With€regard€to€the€complainantððs€claim€that€he€would€be€in€danger€of€being€subjected€to€tortureÐ L œ Ðby€the€LTTE€for€having€left€the€LTTE„controlled€area€of€Sri€Lanka€without€an€express€permissionÐ 8 ˆ Ðto€do€so€and€without€designating€someone€to€vouch€for€him,€the€Committee€recalls€that€the€StateÐ $ t Ðparty's€obligation€to€refrain€from€forcibly€returning€a€person€to€another€State€where€there€areÐ  ` Ðsubstantial€grounds€for€believing€that€he€or€she€would€be€in€danger€of€being€subjected€to€torture€isÐ ü L  Ðdirectly€linked€to€the€definition€of€torture€as€found€in€article€1€of€the€Convention.€For€the€purposesÐ è 8  Ðof€the€Convention,€according€to€article€1,€"the€term€'torture'€means€any€act€by€which€severe€pain€orÐ Ô$  Ðsuffering,€whether€physical€or€mental,€is€intentionally€inflicted€on€a€person€for€such€purposes€asÐ À  Ðobtaining€from€him€or€a€third€person€information€or€a€confession,€punishing€him€for€an€act€he€or€aÐ ¬ü  Ðthird€person€has€committed€or€is€suspected€of€having€committed,€or€intimidating€or€coercing€him€orÐ ˜è  Ða€third€person,€or€for€any€reason€based€on€discrimination€of€any€kind,€when€such€pain€or€sufferingÐ „Ô  Ðis€inflicted€by€or€at€the€instigation€of€or€with€the€consent€or€acquiescence€of€a€public€official€or€otherÐ pÀ Ðperson€acting€in€an€official€capacity".€The€Committee€observes€that€the€issue€whether€the€State€partyÐ \¬ Ðhas€an€obligation€to€refrain€from€expelling€a€person€who€might€risk€pain€or€suffering€inflicted€by€aÐ H˜ Ðnon„governmental€entity,€without€the€consent€or€acquiescence€of€the€Government,€falls€outside€theÐ 4„ Ðscope€of€article€3€of€the€Convention,€unless€the€non„governmental€entity€occupies€and€exercisesÐ  p Ðquasi„governmental€authority€over€the€territory€to€which€the€complainant€would€be€returned.€òò10/óó€Ð  \ ÐSince€the€complainant€can€be€returned€to€territory€other€than€that€under€the€control€of€LTTE€,€theÐ øH Ðissue,€on€which€he€bases€part€of€his€claim,€that€he€would€suffer€retribution€from€the€LTTE€upon€hisÐ ä4 Ðreturn€to€Sri€Lanka€cannot€be€considered€by€the€Committee.Ð Ð  ÐÌ6.5€With€respect€to€the€risk€that€the€complainant€might€be€subjected€to€torture€at€the€hands€of€StateÐ ¨ø Ðagents€upon€return€to€Sri€Lanka,€the€Committee€has€noted€the€complainant's€claim€that€he€is€at€highÐ ”ä Ðpersonal€risk€owing€to€his€previous€activities€as€a€karate€teacher,€that€he€has€allegedly€already€beenÐ €Ð Ðseverely€maltreated€by€soldiers€of€the€Sri€Lankan€army,€and€that€he€bears€scars€which€the€authoritiesÐ l¼ Ðwould€likely€assume€to€have€been€caused€by€fighting€for€the€LTTE.€It€has€considered€the€claim€that,Ð X ¨ Ðbecause€of€the€failure€by€the€Dutch€Immigration€and€Naturalization€Department€(IND)€to€take€aÐ D!” Ðdecision€on€the€complainantððs€refugee€application€within€the€prescribed€time€limit,€the€complainantÐ 0"€  Ðwas€precluded€from€filing€an€objection€regarding€the€merits€of€the€INDððs€final€decision,€dated€20Ð #l! ÐMay€1999.€The€Committee€has€further€noted€that€the€IND€took€this€decision€before€the€Bureau€forÐ $X" ÐMedical€Advice€(BMA)€gave€its€advice€on€the€complainantððs€medical€condition.€Similarly,€theÐ ô$D # ÐCommittee€has€noted€the€attention€drawn€by€the€State€party€to€a€number€of€inconsistencies€andÐ à%0!$ Ðcontradictions€in€the€complainantððs€account,€which€are€said€to€cast€doubt€on€the€complainantððsÐ Ì&"% Ðcredibility€and€the€veracity€of€his€allegations.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ6.6€The€Committee€notes€that€the€medical€evidence€submitted€by€the€complainant€confirms€physicalÐ )à$( Ðas€well€as€psychological€symptoms,€which€might€be€attributed€to€his€alleged€maltreatment€at€the€handÐ |*Ì%) Ðof€the€Sri€Lankan€army.€However,€the€Committee€observes€that,€even€if€the€complainantððs€allegationÐ h+¸&* Ðthat€he€was€severely€tortured€during€his€detention€at€the€Trincomalee€military€camp€Ô_Ôin€1996€wereÐ T,¤'+ Ðsufficiently€substantiated,€these€alleged€acts€of€torture€did€not€occur€in€the€recent€past.Ð @-(, Ї6.7€In€the€Committeeððs€view,€the€complainant€has€not€demonstrated€any€other€circumstances,€otherÐ ° Ðthan€the€fact€that€he€worked€as€karate€teacher€in€Ô_ÔJaffnaÔ_Ô€until€1996€and€the€presence€of€scars€on€hisÐ œì Ðbody,€which€would€appear€to€make€him€particularly€vulnerable€to€the€risk€of€torture€if€he€were€to€beÐ ˆØ Ðreturned€to€Sri€Lanka.€Moreover,€the€Committee€again€notes€that€the€positive€development€of€theÐ tÄ Ðpeace€negotiations€between€the€Sri€Lankan€government€and€the€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô€and€the€implementation€of€theÐ `° Ðpeace€process€underway€give€reason€to€believe€that€a€person€in€the€situation€of€the€complainantÐ L œ Ðwould€not€be€under€such€risk€upon€return€to€Sri€Lanka.€The€Committee€therefore€finds€that€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðcomplainant€has€not€provided€sufficient€evidence€for€substantiating€that€the€he€would€be€in€dangerÐ $ t Ðof€being€subjected€to€torture,€were€he€to€be€returned€to€Sri€Lanka,€and€that€such€danger€is€present€andÐ  ` Ðpersonal.Ð ü L  ÐÌ7.€The€Committee€against€Torture,€acting€under€article€22,€paragraph€7,€of€the€Convention€againstÐ Ô$  ÐTorture€and€Other€Cruel,€Inhuman€or€Degrading€Treatment€or€Punishment,€concludes€that€theÐ À  Ðcomplainant's€removal€to€Sri€Lanka€by€the€State€party€would€not€constitute€a€breach€of€article€3€ofÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€Convention.Ð ˜è  ÐÌÌ[Adopted€in€English,€French,€Russia€and€Spanish,€the€English€text€being€the€originalÐ \¬ Ðversion.€Subsequently€to€be€issued€also€in€Arabic€and€Chinese€as€part€of€theÐ H˜ ÐCommitteeððs€annual€report€to€the€General€Assembly.]Ð 4„ ÐÌÌòòNotesÐ øH ÐÌ1/óó€€€Counsel€submits€that€the€travel€pass€system€applies€to€everyone€wishing€to€leave€the€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô„Ð Ð  Ðcontrolled€area€and€is€intended€to€raise€funds€for€the€armed€struggle€of€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô.€In€order€to€ensure€thatÐ ¼  Ðthe€departure€of€Tamils€does€not€result€in€a€loss€of€contributions,€each€Tamil€planning€to€leave€theÐ ¨ø ÐÔ_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô„controlled€area€needs€someone€with€sufficient€assets€to€guarantee€for€his€return.òòóóÐ ”ä ÐÌòò2/óó€€€The€complainantððs€description€of€most€of€these€torture€details€is€documented€in€a€medical€report,Ð l¼ Ðdated€14€June€2001,€by€the€medical€examination€group€of€the€Dutch€Section€of€AmnestyÐ X ¨ ÐInternational.Ð D!” ÐÌòò3/óó€€€Counsel€refers€to€several€reports€on€the€human€rights€situation€in€Sri€Lanka€as€well€as€a€judgmentÐ #l! Ðof€the€European€Court€of€Human€Rights€in€order€to€support€these€claims.€However,€CommitteeÐ $X" Ðmembers€should€beware€that€the€complaint€dates€from€October€2001€and€that€the€situation€mightÐ ô$D # Ðhave€changed€since€then.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌòò4/óó€€€The€State€party€refers€to€the€Committee's€decisions€in€A.€v.€the€Netherlands,€Communication€No.Ð ¸'#& Ð91/1997,€UN€Doc.€CAT/C/21/D/91/1997,€13€November€1998,€para.€6.3€and€in€òòÔ_ÔK.N.Ô_Ô€v.€Switzerlandóó,Ð ¤(ô#' ÐCommunication€No.€94/1997,€UN€Doc.€CAT/C/20/D/94/1997,€20€May€1998,€para.€10.2.€Ð )à$( ÐÌòò5/óó€€€See€òòÔ_ÔE.A.Ô_Ô€v.€Switzerlandóó,€Communication€No.€28/1995,€UN€Doc.€CAT/C/19/D/28/1995,€10Ð h+¸&* ÐNovember€1997,€para.€11.3.€The€State€party€further€refers€to€the€Committee's€General€CommentÐ T,¤'+ ÐNo.1,€Implementation€of€article€3€of€the€Convention€in€the€context€of€article€22,€UN€Doc.€UN€Doc.Ð @-(, ÐA/53/44€(1998),€Annex€IX,€para.€6.€Ð ° ÐÌòò6/óó€€€In€that€regard,€the€State€party€refers€to€the€Committee's€decision€in€òòÔ_ÔS.V.Ô_Ô€et€al.€v.€Canadaóó,Ð ˆØ ÐCommunication€No.€49/1996,€UN€Doc.€CAT/C/26/D/49/1996,€15€May€2001,€para.€9.5.Ð tÄ ÐÌòò7/óó€€€Committee€Against€Torture,€20th€Sess.,€Concluding€observations€of€the€Committee€AgainstÐ L œ ÐTorture:€Sri€Lanka,€19€May€1998,€UN€Doc.€A/53/44,€paras.€243„257,€at€para.€249.€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌòò8/óó€€€See€Amnesty€International€Report€2002,€Sri€Lanka,€AI€index:€POL€10/001/2002;€AmnestyÐ  ` ÐInternational,€Sri€Lanka:€Torture€prevails€despite€reforms,€AI€index:€ASA€37/14/1999.€Ð ü L  ÐÌòò9/óó€€€Report€A/57/44,€Chapter€Ô_ÔIV.BÔ_Ô,€at€para.€181.€Ð Ô$  ÐÌòò10/óó€€€See€Committee€Against€Torture,€22€nd€Sess.,€òòÔ_ÔSadiÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔShekÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔElmiÔ_Ô€v.€Australióóa,€Communication€No.Ð ¬ü  Ð120/1998,€Views€adopted€on€14€May€1999,€UN€Doc.€CAT/C/22/D/120/1998,€para.€6.5.€òòCf.€óóalsoÐ ˜è  ÐCommittee€Against€Torture,€28€th€Sess.,€òòM.P.S.€v.€Australióóa,€Communication€No.€138/1999,€ViewsÐ „Ô  Ðadopted€on€30€April€2002,€UN€Doc.€CAT/C/28/D/138/1999,€para.€7.4;€Committee€Against€Torture,Ð pÀ Ð26€th€Sess.,€òòÔ_ÔS.V.Ô_Ô€et€al.€v.€Canadóóa,€Communication€No.€49/1996,€Views€adopted€on€15€May€2001,€UNÐ \¬ ÐDoc.€CAT/C/26/D/49/1996€,€para.€9.5.Ð H˜ ÐÌÔ#†X!LXX X!LI#Ô