ÿWPC5 ¼ÁFø"ù€ÆŸƒ|Ò^‡ð'åD7ŸG •ÿ€s\ËØ^³c®½“–±}Ž¸Òw¤°£ßücý¸|°D5ö 4¬sªIºã×(J·j^Æ;¹‹O*ê.I@>Qã,¯:,ñøý &–8].´ÏÓdž<Þ­BúêË|÷°øGø¿GhàohUš&‡ƒ%EŸI$ŽÈ>O6ón'+*z W§£V¼*¤Â8ʯLÊIoKw¸’ÓF,eØ,΄8|¸#"!•|ÔGèw“%à³´]õ0F…R;Ê ¸—.>¤Ûjz±áÌ‚Ö[ë$Ȝ팹ÜTÆê"'Ÿ­å’ _§'ñÁΔ4™ªÍ·xÓ.9NaÅ#bW0öqd‰‘U;’¦r\Œõé‰ÈÒ@oEÙÌëÈ«LÂE,ÖwÐö•Þö†1 ãâ—=+ãæ1\1ÁuÑÖà×z½àý,†«öTÒtggµZK\¦ÿL# …Õ@6îdGÚ\/½çk!cC`(c˜›\±%NÏŸ¤Ï¸Íl—*ª [–Dä/ÁŸ«U ÊkbÓ(:²¥â*®oPfF•ï@qò`ú‹ÝòæÂýç}„¶¹·€ #ÁšUN[ %© 0:¯^ éwõ4ù  m˜HP LaserJet 4000 Series PSÈÚØÚÚØÈÚ0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(ûœ$¡¡ÔUKUS.,Ôº©;. eû*bk2@ã¢3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀÝ ƒûœ!ÝÔUKUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôò òÔ‡¼¨à»XXÔÓ  ÓSRI€LANKAÔ#†Xý¬X»¼¨à@#ÔÐ ° ÐÓ_ÓÌCAT€Article€20€Examinations€Re:€Systematic€TortureÐ ° ÐÌCAT€A/57/44€(2002)ó óÐ ˆØ ÐÓ  ÓÌòòIV.€€ACTIVITIES€OF€THE€COMMITTEE€UNDER€ARTICLE€20€OF€THE€CONVENTIONóóÐ ` ° ÐÌ...Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌB.€€òòSummary€account€of€the€results€of€the€proceedings€concerning€the€inquiry€on€Sri€LankaóóÐ `  ÐÌ1.€€òòIntroductionóóÐ è8  ÐÌ123.€€Sri€Lanka€acceded€to€the€Convention€against€Torture€and€Other€Cruel,€Inhuman€or€DegradingÐ À  ÐTreatment€or€Punishment€on€3€January€1994.€€At€the€time€of€accession€it€did€not€declare€that€it€didÐ ¬ü  Ðnot€recognize€the€competence€of€the€Committee€provided€for€in€article€20€of€the€Convention.€€TheÐ ˜è Ðpossibility€of€making€such€a€declaration€is€provided€for€in€article€28,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Convention.€Ð „Ô ÐThe€procedure€under€article€20€is€therefore€applicable€to€Sri€Lanka.Ð pÀ ÐÌ124.€€The€confidential€inquiry€provided€for€in€article€20€began€in€April€1999€and€ended€in€May2002.€Ð H˜ ÐIn€accordance€with€article€20,€paragraph€5,€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee,€after€holdingÐ 4„ Ðconsultations€with€the€State€party€concerned€decided,€at€its€twenty„eighth€session,€to€include€in€itsÐ  p Ðannual€report€to€the€General€Assembly€in€2002€the€following€summary€of€the€results€of€the€inquiryÐ  \ Ðon€Sri€Lanka.€Ð øH ÐÌ2.€€òòDevelopment€of€the€procedureóóÐ Ð  ÐÌ125.€€On€21€July€1998,€five€non„governmental€organizations€based€in€London,€namely,€the€BritishÐ ¨ø ÐRefugee€Council,€the€Medical€Foundation€for€the€Care€of€Victims€of€Torture,€the€Refugee€LegalÐ ”ä ÐCentre,€the€Immigration€Law€Practitioners€Association€and€the€Refugee€Legal€Group,€submittedÐ € Ð Ðinformation€on€alleged€systematic€practice€of€torture€in€Sri€Lanka€to€the€Committee.Ð l!¼ ÐÌ126.€€The€Committee€examined€the€information€received€at€its€twenty„first€session€in€NovemberÐ D#”! Ð1998.€€It€concluded€that€the€information€was€reliable€and€that€it€contained€well-founded€indicationsÐ 0$€" Ðthat€torture€was€being€systematically€practised€in€the€territory€of€SriLanka.€€In€accordance€withÐ %l # Ðarticle€20,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Convention€and€rule€76€of€its€rules€of€procedure,€the€CommitteeÐ &X!$ Ðdecided€to€invite€Sri€Lanka€to€cooperate€in€its€examination€of€the€information€and€to€submitÐ ô&D"% Ðobservations€in€that€regard€by€1€February€1999.€€The€Government€of€Sri€Lanka€submitted€itsÐ à'0#& Ðobservations€on€the€date€set€by€the€Committee.Ð Ì($' ÐÌ127.€€At€its€twenty„second€session,€from€26€April€to€14€May€1999,€the€Committee,€after€havingÐ ¤*ô%) Ðexamined€the€observations€made€by€the€State€party,€reaffirmed€that€the€information€available€to€itÐ +à&* Ðprovided€well„founded€indications€that€torture€was€being€systematically€practised€in€Sri€Lanka.€Ð |,Ì'+ ÐAccordingly,€it€decided€to€undertake€an€inquiry€and€to€designate€for€that€purpose€Mr.Ô_ÔMavrommatisÔ_ÔÐ h-¸(, Ðand€Mr.€Yu€Ô_ÔMengjiaÔ_Ô.€€In€communicating€its€decision,€the€Committee€also€requested€the€GovernmentÐ ° Ðof€Sri€Lanka€to€agree€to€a€visit€of€the€two€Committee€members€designated€for€the€inquiry€by€JanuaryÐ œì Ð2000.Ð ˆØ ÐÌ128.€€The€Government€confirmed€its€acceptance€of€the€visit€but€requested€a€postponement€due€to€theÐ `° Ðheavy€schedule€of€work€of€the€political€and€military€authorities€caused€by€the€aggravation€of€theÐ L œ Ðinternal€conflict€opposing€the€Sri€Lankan€armed€forces€and€the€members€of€the€Liberation€Tigers€ofÐ 8 ˆ ÐTamil€Ô_ÔEelamÔ_Ô€(Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô)€in€the€northern€and€eastern€parts€of€the€country.Ð $ t ÐÌ129.€€The€visit€finally€took€place€from€19€August€to€1€September€2000.€€The€members€of€theÐ ü L  ÐCommittee€concentrated€their€activities€in€Colombo,€but€also€travelled€to€Ô_ÔKandyÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔMataleÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔDambullaÔ_Ô,Ð è 8  ÐÔ_ÔPanaduraÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔKalutaraÔ_Ô€in€order€to€visit€detention€places.€€However,€for€security€reasons€they€wereÐ Ô$  Ðnot€able€to€visit€the€northern€and€eastern€parts€of€Sri€Lanka€where€the€armed€conflict€raged€and€whereÐ À  Ðmany€allegations€of€torture€had€been€reported.€€During€the€visit,€Mr.Ô_ÔMavrommatisÔ_Ô€and€Mr.€YuÐ ¬ü  ÐÔ_ÔMengjiaÔ_Ô€held€12€meetings€with€government€officials€and€visited€16€places€of€detention.€€TheÐ ˜è  ÐGovernment€gave€full€support€to€the€visit€and€was€cooperative€at€all€times.Ð „Ô  ÐÌ130.€€Very€useful€meetings€were€held€with€locally€based€senior€officials€of€the€United€Nations€systemÐ \¬ Ðwho€assisted€the€Committee€in€understanding€the€context€and€background€within€which€allegationsÐ H˜ Ðof€torture€could€be€examined.€€The€two€Committee€members€also€held€numerous€meetings€with€non„Ð 4„ Ðgovernmental€organizations,€lawyers€and€medical€doctors€dealing€with€cases€of€torture.€€InterviewsÐ  p Ðwith€alleged€torture€victims€were€also€conducted.€€Ð  \ ÐÌ131.€€Initial€observations€and€recommendations€were€made€by€the€Committee€members€at€the€wrap„Ð ä4 Ðup€meeting€held€with€government€officials€on€31€August€2000.€€On€6€November€2000€the€State€partyÐ Ð  Ðprovided€a€reply€concerning€the€implementation€of€the€initial€recommendations.Ð ¼  ÐÌ132.€€The€two€members€reported€on€their€visit€to€the€Committee€at€its€twenty„fifth€session€(13-24Ð ”ä ÐNovember€2000).€€The€Committee€unanimously€expressed€satisfaction€with€the€manner€in€which€SriÐ €Ð ÐLanka€had€so€far€cooperated€in€the€inquiry€and€endorsed€the€suggestions€made€by€the€membersÐ l¼ Ðconducting€the€inquiry€that:€€(a)€it€would€be€premature€to€make€a€final€assessment€and€to€transmitÐ X ¨ Ðthe€conclusions€of€the€inquiry€at€that€stage;€and€(b)€it€would€be€more€productive€to€continue€theÐ D!” Ðcooperation€between€the€Committee€and€the€Government€of€Sri€Lanka€within€the€framework€of€theÐ 0"€  Ðinquiry€so€as€to€encourage€the€Government€to€take€concrete€measures€to€achieve€full€respect€of€itsÐ #l! Ðobligations€under€the€Convention.€€Ð $X" ÐÌ133.€€In€this€context,€by€letter€dated€24€November€2000€the€preliminary€recommendations€that€theÐ à%0!$ ÐCommittee€addressed€to€the€Government€to€assist€it€in€its€efforts€to€improve€the€implementation€ofÐ Ì&"% Ðthe€Convention€were€transmitted,€and€the€Government€was€requested€to€inform€the€Committee€ofÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€action€undertaken€with€regard€to€those€recommendations.€€The€Government€provided€detailedÐ ¤(ô#' Ðinformation€concerning€the€implementation€of€the€preliminaryrecommendations€by€communicationsÐ )à$( Ðdated€28€March€2001,€27€April€2001€and€8€November2001.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ134.€€On€7€September€2001,€non„governmental€organizations€transmitted€updated€information€to€theÐ T,¤'+ ÐCommittee€concerning€cases€of€torture,€ill„treatment,€sexual€harassment,€rape€and€deaths€in€custodyÐ @-(, Ðin€Sri€Lanka.Ð ° ÐÌÑ  Ñ135.€€During€its€twenty„seventh€session€(12„23€November€2001),€the€Committee€decided€to€transmitÐ ˆØ Ðthe€findings€of€the€inquiry€to€the€Government€and€invite€it€to€inform€the€Committee€by€FebruaryÐ tÄ Ð2002€of€the€measures€taken€with€regard€to€those€findings.€€On€11March2002€the€Government€of€SriÐ `° ÐLanka€provided€its€comments€on€the€findings€of€the€Committee.Ð L œ ÐÌ3.€€òòPreliminary€recommendations€made€by€the€CommitteeóóÐ $ t ÐÌ136.€€The€Committee€made€the€following€preliminary€recommendations€to€the€Government:€€theÐ ü L  ÐState€party€should€undertake€to:Ð è 8  ÐÌ(a)€€Adopt€precise€instructions€to€be€addressed€to€its€agents€to€avoid€the€lack€of€practicalÐ À  Ðeffectiveness€of€legal,€administrative€and€other€measures€adopted€to€combat€torture;Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ(b)€€Reduce€and€eventually€suppress€the€many€overlapping€jurisdictions€between€agenciesÐ „Ô  Ðinvestigating€offences€under€the€Prevention€of€Terrorism€Act€and€the€Emergency€Regulations,€andÐ pÀ Ðestablish€clear€spheres€of€competence,€conducive€to€enhancing€efficiency€in€preventing€torture€in€allÐ \¬ Ðits€forms;Ð H˜ ÐÌ(c)€€Introduce,€under€the€Prevention€of€Terrorism€Act€and€the€Emergency€Regulations,€a€provisionÐ  p Ðrequiring€suspects€to€be€produced€before€a€judge€within€a€short€time;Ð  \ ÐÌ(d)€€Abolish€the€power€of€the€Secretary€of€Defence€to€order€preventive€detention€for€a€period€of€upÐ ä4 Ðto€a€year€without€judicial€review;Ð Ð  ÐÌ(e)€€Develop€a€central€register€for€detainees€in€all€parts€of€the€country;Ð ¨ø ÐÌ(f)€€Establish€an€effective€mechanism€for€the€criminal€prosecution€of€public€officials€who€commitÐ €Ð Ðacts€of€torture;Ð l¼ ÐÌ(g)€€Guarantee€the€access€of€counsel€to€detainees€in€police€custody;Ð D!” ÐÌ(h)€€Establish€a€legal€assistance€scheme€free€of€charge€to€the€beneficiaries;Ð #l! ÐÌ(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)€€Establish€a€mechanism€for€regular€monitoring€visits€to€detention€places€to€be€made€byÐ ô$D # Ðmagistrates;Ð à%0!$ ÐÌ(j)€€Put€an€end€to€the€illegal€detention€of€suspects€by€para„military€groups€assisting€the€Sri€LankanÐ ¸'#& Ðarmed€forces€in€the€war€against€the€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô€and€bring€groups€such€as€Ô_ÔPLOTEÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔTELOÔ_Ô€under€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðstrict€control€of€the€State,€or€disband€them;Ð )à$( ÐÌ(k)€€Initiate€prompt€and€independent€investigations€of€every€instance€of€alleged€torture;Ð h+¸&* ÐÌ(l)€€Grant€the€Attorney„General€authority€to€initiate€investigations€into€such€allegations;Ð @-(, Ї(m)€€Establish€an€effective€methodology€for€ensuring€that€directives€relating€to€the€prevention€ofÐ ° Ðtorture€are€strictly€complied€with;Ð œì ÐÌ(n)€€Establish€a€roster€of€or€select€officers€qualified€to€act€as€officers€in€charge€of€all€police€stationsÐ tÄ Ðand/or€prison€facilities,€and€conduct€regular€on„the„job€awareness€courses;Ð `° ÐÌ(o)€€Improve€detention€conditions€in€keeping€with€the€United€Nations€Standard€Minimum€Rules€andÐ 8 ˆ ÐBasic€Principles€for€the€Treatment€of€Prisoners;Ð $ t ÐÌ(p)€€Conduct€the€evaluations€and€studies€referred€to€in€the€Governmentððs€note€of6November€2000Ð ü L  Ðin€a€timely€manner€and€report€to€the€Committee€on€the€results.Ð è 8  ÐÌ4.€€òòInformation€received€from€the€Government€of€Sri€Lanka€after€the€conclusion€of€the€visitóóÐ À  ÐÌ137.€€As€mentioned€above,€by€communications€dated€8€November,€27€April€and28March2001,€theÐ ˜è  ÐGovernment€of€Sri€Lanka€provided€detailed€information€to€the€Committee€concerning€its€findingsÐ „Ô  Ðand€recommendations.€Ð pÀ ÐÌ138.€€The€Government€informed€the€Committee€that€on€20€November€2000€a€PermanentÐ H˜ ÐInter-Ministerial€Standing€Committee€on€Human€Rights€Issues€was€established€to€consider€issuesÐ 4„ Ðand€incidents€relating€to€human€rights,€in€particular€the€prohibition€against€torture,€and€to€take€policyÐ  p Ðdecisions€in€this€regard.€€An€Inter„Ministerial€Working€Group€on€Human€Rights€Issues€was€laterÐ  \ Ðestablished€to€monitor€the€implementation€of€decisions€taken€by€the€Permanent€Inter-MinisterialÐ øH ÐStanding€Committee€and€to€take€action€on€urgent€issues.€€The€Working€Group€took€up€forÐ ä4 Ðconsideration€the€16€preliminary€recommendations€transmitted€by€the€Committee€against€TortureÐ Ð  Ðon€24€November€to€the€Government€of€Sri€Lanka.€€According€to€the€communications€received€fromÐ ¼  Ðthe€Government,€multiple€positive€actions€have€been€taken€with€a€view€to€prohibiting€torture.Ð ¨ø ÐÌòòRecommendation€(a)óóÐ €Ð ÐÌ139.€€The€Government€indicated€that€in€January€2001€the€Inspector€General€of€Police€convened€aÐ X ¨ Ðspecial€meeting€of€all€Deputy€Inspectors€General€of€Police€and€sensitized€them€as€to€the€prevailingÐ D!” Ðallegations€of€torture.€€Reference€was€made€to€the€Committeeððs€inquiry€mission€and€to€its€initialÐ 0"€  Ðobservations.€€It€was€emphasized€that€all€Deputy€Inspectors€General€of€Police€would€have€to€ensureÐ #l! Ðthat€under€no€circumstances€would€torture€take€place€within€their€respective€jurisdictions.€€Further,Ð $X" Ðthey€should€take€prompt€and€impartial€action€whenever€a€complaint€or€information€is€receivedÐ ô$D # Ðalleging€perpetration€of€torture.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌ140.€€On€14€January€2001€the€Inspector€General€of€Police€sent€an€official€circular€to€all€officers€inÐ ¸'#& Ðcharge€of€Police€Divisions€and€Specialized€Divisions€reiterating€that€under€no€circumstances€shouldÐ ¤(ô#' Ðtorture€be€perpetrated€or€permitted.€€According€to€the€Government,€by€the€end€of€February€2001,€allÐ )à$( Ðpolice€officers€attached€to€the€Sri€Lanka€Police€Department€had€received€specific€instructions€on€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðneed€to€desist€totally€from€any€form€of€torture.Ð h+¸&* Ðâ âÐ T,¤'+ Ð141.€€The€Government€of€Sri€Lanka€further€informed€the€Committee€that€according€to€the€policy€ofÐ ° Ðâ âthe€Ministry€of€Defence€only€authorized€personnel€of€the€police€and€the€security€forces€shouldÐ œì Ðparticipate€in€the€arrest,€detention€and€interview€of€suspects.€€No€other€persons€or€members€of€groupsÐ ˆØ Ðshould€under€any€circumstances€be€involved€in€the€conduct€of€such€law€enforcement€activity.€€TheÐ tÄ ÐMinistry€of€Defence€closely€monitors€the€directive€proscribing€the€participation€of€members€of€ex„Ð `° Ðmilitant€groups€in€de€facto€law€enforcement€efforts.€€Members€of€ex„militant€groups€have€beenÐ L œ Ðtotally€debarred€from€effecting€any€arrests€or€detention€of€persons.€€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌòòRecommendation€(b)óóÐ  ` ÐÌ142.€€According€to€the€Government,€all€police€officers€are€legally€entitled€and€empowered€to€conductÐ è 8  Ðcriminal€investigations€into€offences€recognized€in€the€Prevention€of€Terrorism€Act€and€theÐ Ô$  ÐEmergency€Regulations.€€Given€the€prevailing€situation,€it€would€be€contrary€to€the€interests€of€theÐ À  Ðcountry€and€its€security€to€confer€the€powers€under€the€Prevention€of€Terrorism€Act€and€theÐ ¬ü  ÐEmergency€Regulations€solely€upon€a€particular€specialized€agency€of€the€police.€€The€possibleÐ ˜è  Ðoverlapping€of€jurisdictions€has€been€acknowledged€by€the€Government.Ð „Ô  ÐÌ143.€€The€Government€reply€provides€an€explanation€with€regard€to€the€arrest€and€detention€ofÐ \¬ Ðsuspects€under€the€Prevention€of€Terrorism€Act€and€the€Emergency€Regulations.€€Ð H˜ ÐÌ144.€€Any€duly€authorized€police€officer€may,€in€accordance€with€the€law,€effect€the€arrest€of€aÐ  p Ðsuspect€under€the€relevant€provisions€of€the€Prevention€of€Terrorism€Act€or€the€EmergencyÐ  \ ÐRegulations.€€Detention€shall€be€at€the€police€station€to€which€the€police€officer€in€question€isÐ øH Ðattached.€€If€the€suspect€is€arrested€in€the€area€of€his€domicile,€he€would€be€detained€at€the€policeÐ ä4 Ðstation€of€that€area.€€However,€since€the€Terrorism€Investigation€Division€(TID)€has€jurisdiction€toÐ Ð  Ðconduct€anti„terrorism€investigations€in€any€part€of€the€country,€if€the€arrest€is€effected€by€a€policeÐ ¼  Ðofficer€attached€to€the€TID€the€suspect€shall€be€detained€at€the€detention€facilities€of€the€TID€inÐ ¨ø ÐColombo.Ð ”ä ÐÌ145.€€Following€an€arrest€by€a€police€officer,€if€the€officer€in€charge€of€the€police€station€concludesÐ l¼ Ðthat€an€investigation€needs€to€be€conducted€and€continued€detention€is€required,€he/she€shall€bringÐ X ¨ Ðsuch€matter€to€the€attention€of€the€officer€in€charge€of€the€relevant€police€division€and€cause€theÐ D!” Ðtransfer€of€investigation€or€detention€to€the€TID€or€the€Counter-Subversive€Unit€(CSU).€€Except€forÐ 0"€  Ðexceptional€circumstances,€a€suspect€arrested€and€detained€under€the€provisions€of€the€PreventionÐ #l! Ðof€Terrorism€Act€or€the€Emergency€Regulations€shall€not€be€detained€at€a€police€station€for€more€thanÐ $X" Ð72€hours.Ð ô$D # ÐÌ146.€€If€the€suspect€has€been€arrested€under€the€provisions€of€the€Prevention€of€Terrorism€Act€or€theÐ Ì&"% ÐEmergency€Regulations€by€a€police€officer€attached€to€the€CSU,€unless€transferred€to€the€TID€theÐ ¸'#& Ðsuspect€shall€be€detained€until€produced€before€a€magistrate€at€the€relevant€CSU.€€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌ147.€€In€cases€where€the€Criminal€Investigation€Department€(CID)€is€authorized€to€commence€andÐ |*Ì%) Ðconduct€a€particular€investigation€relating€to€an€offence€under€the€Prevention€of€Terrorism€Act€orÐ h+¸&* ÐEmergency€Regulations,€the€suspect€shall€be€detained€in€the€detention€facilities€of€the€CID€untilÐ T,¤'+ Ðproduced€before€a€magistrate.Ð @-(, Ї148.€€All€suspects€arrested€by€police€officers€attached€to€the€TID€shall€be€detained€at€the€detentionÐ ° Ðfacilities€of€that€Division.Ð œì ÐÌòòRecommendation€(c)óóÐ tÄ ÐÌ149.€€In€its€initial€communication,€dated€28€March€2001,€the€Government€explained€to€theÐ L œ ÐCommittee€that€the€Emergency€Regulations€require€the€relevant€law€enforcement€authority€toÐ 8 ˆ Ðproduce€persons€arrested€under€that€law€before€a€magistrate€within€30€days€from€the€arrest.€Ð $ t ÐAccording€to€the€Government,€following€discussions€at€the€Inter„Ministerial€Working€Group€onÐ  ` ÐHuman€Rights€Issues€it€was€decided€to€amend€the€relevant€regulation€and€to€require€suspects€to€beÐ ü L  Ðproduced€before€magistrates€within€14€days.Ð è 8  ÐÌ150.€€By€communication€dated€27€April€2001,€the€Government€further€informed€the€Committee€thatÐ À  Ðby€order€dated€6€April€2001,€the€President,€acting€under€section€5€of€the€Public€Security€Ordinance,Ð ¬ü  Ðdecreed€ð ðwhere€any€person€has€been€arrested€and€detained€under€the€provisions€of€regulation€18€ofÐ ˜è  Ð[the€Emergency]€Regulations,€such€person€shall€be€produced€before€a€magistrate€within€a€reasonableÐ „Ô  Ðtime,€having€regard€to€the€circumstances€of€each€case,€and€in€any€event,€not€later€than€14€days€fromÐ pÀ Ðthe€date€of€such€arrestðð.€Ð \¬ ÐÌ151.€€According€to€the€Prevention€of€Terrorism€Act,€upon€the€arrest€of€a€suspect€under€the€Act,Ð 4„ Ðunless€the€suspect€is€detained€upon€the€authority€of€a€detention€order€issued€under€section€9(1)€ofÐ  p Ðthe€Act,€such€suspect€shall€be€produced€before€a€magistrate€within€72€hours.€€If,€however,€the€suspectÐ  \ Ðis€detained€under€the€authority€of€a€detention€order€issued€under€section€9€(1)€of€the€Act,€such€suspectÐ øH Ðshall€be€produced€before€a€magistrate€as€soon€as€the€investigation€against€the€relevant€suspect€isÐ ä4 Ðconcluded€(a€maximum€period€of€18€months).Ð Ð  ÐÌòòRecommendation€(d)óóÐ ¨ø ÐÌ152.€€According€to€the€Government,€the€authority€conferred€on€the€Secretary€to€the€Ministry€ofÐ €Ð ÐDefence€to€authorize€preventive€detention€is€subject€to€judicial€review€during€the€entire€period€ofÐ l¼ Ðdetention.€€However,€due€to€the€current€situation€in€Sri€Lanka,€the€Government€does€not€deem€itÐ X ¨ Ðsuitable€to€repeal€the€relevant€regulation.Ð D!” ÐÌòòRecommendation€(e)óóÐ #l! ÐÌ153.€€The€Government€informed€the€Committee€that€the€Police€Department€has€established€aÐ ô$D # Ðcomputerized€Central€Police€Registry.€€This€registry€contains€accurate€and€up„to„date€informationÐ à%0!$ Ðrelating€to€the€arrest€and€detention€of€persons€under€the€provisions€of€the€Prevention€of€TerrorismÐ Ì&"% ÐAct€and€Emergency€Regulations€that€may€be€proclaimed€by€the€President€of€SriLanka.€€PoliceÐ ¸'#& Ðofficers€effecting€the€arrest€of€suspects€under€the€provisions€of€those€laws€are€required€to€inform€theÐ ¤(ô#' ÐRegistry€no€later€than€six€hours€from€the€time€of€arrest.€€The€Registry€became€operational€on€1Ð )à$( ÐNovember€2001.€€The€general€public€has€been€informed€of€the€establishment€of€the€Central€PoliceÐ |*Ì%) ÐRegistry€and€may€make€inquiries€and€obtain€information€in€any€of€the€three€official€languagesÐ h+¸&* Ðâ â(Sinhala,€Tamil€or€English).€€Family€members€of€persons€believed€to€have€been€arrested€may,€byÐ T,¤'+ Ðcontacting€the€Registry,€obtain€information€regarding€whether€in€fact€such€a€person€has€been€arrested,Ð ° Ðthe€identity€of€the€arresting€authority€and€the€place€of€detention.Ð œì Ðâ âÌòòRecommendations€(f),€(g)€and€(h)óóÐ tÄ ÐÌ154.€€According€to€the€Government,€various€sources€of€information€can€give€rise€to€the€conduct€ofÐ L œ Ðcriminal€investigations€and€domestic€inquiries,€such€as€direct€complaints€of€torture€made€by€victimsÐ 8 ˆ Ðor€communications€received€from€United€Nations€mechanisms.€€If€such€information€is€received€byÐ $ t Ða€State€agency€other€than€the€Attorney„Generalððs€Department,€such€information€should€initially€beÐ  ` Ðforwarded€to€the€Prosecution€of€Torture€Perpetrators€Unit€of€the€Department€which€will€register€theÐ ü L  Ðcase.Ð è 8  ÐÌ155.€€Investigations€are€conducted€by€a€special€team€of€police€officers€attached€to€the€CID.€€However,Ð À  Ðif€an€allegation€is€made€against€officers€of€the€CID,€provision€has€been€made€for€the€investigationÐ ¬ü  Ðto€be€conducted€by€a€team€of€police€officers€attached€to€Police€Headquarters.€€Following€theÐ ˜è  Ðcompletion€of€investigations,€Notes€of€Investigation€are€forwarded€to€the€Prosecution€of€TortureÐ „Ô  ÐPerpetrators€Unit,€which€decides€whether€to€institute€criminal€proceedings€under€the€provisions€ofÐ pÀ Ðthe€Convention€against€Torture€Act€of€1994.€€In€the€event€of€a€decision€to€institute€criminalÐ \¬ Ðproceedings,€an€Indictment€is€issued€against€the€accused€to€the€relevant€high€court.€€Parallel€to€theÐ H˜ Ðinstitution€of€criminal€proceedings,€advice€is€forwarded€by€the€Attorney„General€to€the€relevantÐ 4„ Ðdisciplinary€authority,€inviting€it€to€consider€the€institution€of€disciplinary€proceedings.€€The€UnitÐ  p Ðmaintains€a€computerized€database€of€all€actions€it€has€taken,€including€regarding€allegations€ofÐ  \ Ðtorture.Ð øH ÐÌòòRecommendation€(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)óóÐ Ð  ÐÌ156.€€According€to€the€information€provided€by€the€Government,€the€Police€Department€has€noÐ ¨ø Ðobjection€to€counsel€representing€suspects€detained€at€police€stations,€or€interviewing/advising€themÐ ”ä Ðprior€to€their€being€produced€before€a€magistrate.€€However,€due€to€the€need€to€ensure€that€policeÐ €Ð Ðinvestigators€are€able€to€conduct€the€initial€investigation€and€interview€suspects€in€an€unhinderedÐ l¼ Ðmanner,€such€interviews€shall€not€take€place€prior€to€the€recording€of€the€statement€of€the€suspect.€Ð X ¨ ÐNevertheless,€the€suspect€or€his/her€attorney€can€make€a€complaint€of€assault€by€police€to€theÐ D!” Ðmagistrate€at€the€time€of€the€initial€appearance€before€the€magistrate.€€Attorneys€at€law€representingÐ 0"€  Ðarrested€suspects€have€the€right€to€interview€the€officer€in€charge€of€the€relevant€police€station€anyÐ #l! Ðtime€after€the€arrest.Ð $X" ÐÌòòRecommendation€(j)óóÐ à%0!$ ÐÌ157.€€It€was€indicated€that€there€are€two€Government„sponsored€legal€aid€schemes€implemented€byÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€Prisoners€Welfare€Association€and€the€Community€Based€Legal€Services€Project,€aimed€atÐ ¤(ô#' Ðproviding€free€legal€aid€to€suspects.€€In€addition,€there€are€several€other€legal€aid€schemesÐ )à$( Ðimplemented€by€Ô_ÔNGOsÔ_Ô.€€The€Human€Rights€Commission€of€Sri€Lanka€has€identified€34Ð |*Ì%) Ðnon-governmental€organizations€offering€such€legal€aid.Ð h+¸&* ÐÌòòRecommendation€(k)óóÐ @-(, Ї158.€€In€its€initial€communication€dated€28€March€2001€the€Government€of€Sri€Lanka€informed€theÐ ° ÐCommittee€that€all€magistrates€are€legally€empowered€to€visit€and€inspect€remand€prisons€whereÐ œì Ðsuspects€being€held€on€remand€(on€judicial€orders€made€by€magistrates)€are€being€detained.€€TheÐ ˆØ ÐCommittee€was€further€informed€that€following€discussions€at€the€Inter-Ministerial€Working€GroupÐ tÄ Ðon€Human€Rights,€it€was€decided€to€amend€the€existing€provisions€of€the€Emergency€RegulationsÐ `° Ðempowering€magistrates€to€visit€(without€prior€notice)€and€inspect€all€places€wherein€suspects€areÐ L œ Ðbeing€detained€under€the€provisions€of€the€Emergency€Regulations.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ159.€€By€communication€dated€27€April€2001,€the€Government€further€informed€the€Committee€thatÐ  ` Ðby€order€dated€6€April€2001€the€President,€acting€under€section€5€of€the€Public€Security€Ordinance,Ð ü L  Ðdecreed€that€ð ðthe€officer€in€charge€of€any€place€authorized€by€the€Inspector€General€of€Police€as€aÐ è 8  Ðplace€authorized€for€detention€for€the€purpose€of€regulation€17€or€18,€shall€furnish,€to€the€magistrateÐ Ô$  Ðwithin€the€local€limits€of€whose€jurisdiction€such€place€of€detention€is€located,€once€in€every€14€days,Ð À  Ða€list€containing€the€names€of€all€persons€detained€at€such€place.€€The€magistrate€shall€cause€such€listÐ ¬ü  Ðto€be€displayed€on€the€notice€board€of€the€Court.€€The€magistrate€within€whose€jurisdiction€any€suchÐ ˜è  Ðauthorized€place€of€detention€is€situated,€shall€visit€such€place€of€detention€at€least€once€in€everyÐ „Ô  Ðmonth.€€It€shall€be€the€duty€of€the€officer€in€charge€of€that€place€to€secure€that€every€person€detainedÐ pÀ Ðtherein,€otherwise€than€by€an€order€of€a€magistrate,€be€produced€before€such€visiting€magistrateðð.€€Ð \¬ ÐÌ160.€€Following€the€lapse€of€the€Emergency€Regulations,€the€regulatory€power€conferred€onÐ 4„ Ðmagistrates€on€6€April€2001€to€conduct€unannounced€visits€to€places€of€detention€under€theÐ  p ÐEmergency€Regulations€ceased.€€However,€following€a€recommendation€by€the€Inter„MinisterialÐ  \ ÐWorking€Group€on€Human€Rights€on€the€need€to€empower€magistrates€to€visit€and€inspect€all€placesÐ øH Ðof€detention€and€interview€suspects,€the€Ministry€of€Justice€is€considering€incorporating€a€newÐ ä4 Ðprovision€in€the€Code€of€Criminal€Procedure€that€would€enable€magistrates€to€perform€this€functionÐ Ð  Ðin€relation€to€all€suspects€arrested€under€the€various€applicable€laws.Ð ¼  ÐÌòòRecommendation€(l)óóÐ ”ä ÐÌ161.€€According€to€the€Government,€all€ex„militant€groups€have€been€warned€of€the€need€to€adhereÐ l¼ Ðto€the€law€and€desist€from€arresting€or€detaining€any€person.€€In€the€event€of€such€action€being€taken,Ð X ¨ Ðit€would€be€deemed€in€violations€of€the€penal€law€and€action€would€be€taken€in€accordance€with€theÐ D!” Ðlaw.Ð 0"€  ÐÌòòRecommendation€(m)óóÐ $X" ÐÌ162.€€By€an€initial€communication€dated€28€March€2001€the€Government€of€Sri€Lanka€explained€thatÐ à%0!$ Ða€Senior€Deputy€Inspector€General€of€Police€has€been€assigned€the€task€of€coordinating€all€effortsÐ Ì&"% Ðrelating€to€the€protection€and€promotion€of€human€rights€and€the€enforcement€of€the€domestic€lawsÐ ¸'#& Ðrelating€to€alleged€violations€of€human€rights.€€It€is€the€duty€of€the€Senior€Deputy€Inspector€GeneralÐ ¤(ô#' Ðof€Police€to€ensure€that€directives€relating€to€the€prevention€of€torture€are€strictly€complied€with.€€Ð )à$( ÐÌ163.€€In€addition,€the€Commander€of€the€Sri€Lanka€Army€has€appointed€a€brigadier€to€coordinate€allÐ h+¸&* Ðâ âmatters€relating€to€human€rights.€€It€is€the€duty€of€the€brigadier€to€ensure€strict€compliance€withÐ T,¤'+ Ðdirectives€issued€to€the€Sri€Lanka€Army.€€Similarly,€the€Sri€Lanka€Navy€has€appointed€a€commodoreÐ ° Ðto€perform€such€functions.Ð œì Ðâ âÌ164.€€By€communication€dated€27€April€2001,€the€Government€further€informed€the€Committee€thatÐ tÄ Ðthe€Deputy€Inspector€General€of€Police€has€recently€undertaken€an€initiative€to,€inter€alia,€review€theÐ `° Ðimplementation€of€the€State€policy€and€in€particular€to€examine€whether€persons€detained€at€policeÐ L œ Ðstations€are€treated€in€accordance€with€internationally€accepted€norms€and€standards€and€whetherÐ 8 ˆ Ðthey€are€subjected€to€any€form€of€torture€or€other€cruel,€inhuman€or€degrading€treatment€orÐ $ t Ðpunishment.Ð  ` ÐÌ165.€€The€Senior€Deputy€Inspector€General€of€Police€in€charge€of€human€rights€issues€continuesÐ è 8  Ðpersonally€to€monitor€compliance€with€directives€issued€by€the€Inspector€General€of€Police€andÐ Ô$  ÐPolice€Headquarters.€€These€directives€are€aimed€at€ensuring€the€protection€of€the€human€rights€ofÐ À  Ðsuspects€arrested€and€detained€in€police€custody.€€In€order€to€ensure€compliance€with€such€directives,Ð ¬ü  Ðthe€said€officer€conducts€unannounced€visits€to€police€stations.Ð ˜è  ÐÌòòRecommendation€(n)óóÐ pÀ ÐÌ166.€€All€officers€in€charge€of€police€stations€receive€training€at€the€time€of€their€selection€andÐ H˜ Ðperiodically€thereafter.€€The€Secretary€to€the€Ministry€of€Defence€invited€the€Sri€Lanka€FoundationÐ 4„ ÐInstitute€to€undertake€a€comprehensive€study€of€all€training€syllabuses€of€the€police€and€securityÐ  p Ðforces€relating€to€human€rights€with€a€view€to€redesigning€the€course€content€and€process€with€theÐ  \ Ðprimary€objective€of€bringing€about,€in€addition€to€an€increase€in€knowledge,€a€change€in€attitudesÐ øH Ðthat€would€contribute€towards€a€change€in€behaviour.€€The€Sri€Lanka€Foundation€Institute€has€alreadyÐ ä4 Ðcommenced€a€new€training€programme€on€human€rights€for€police€officers.Ð Ð  ÐÌòòRecommendation€(o)óóÐ ¨ø ÐÌ167.€€The€process€of€improving€detention€centres€requires€considerable€resources€and€vastÐ €Ð Ðimprovement€in€infrastructure.€€The€development€and€improvement€of€detention€conditions€will€beÐ l¼ Ða€gradual€and€time„consuming€process.Ð X ¨ ÐÌòòRecommendation€(p)óóÐ 0"€  ÐÌ168.€€The€Permanent€Inter„Ministerial€Standing€Committee€and€the€Inter„Ministerial€Working€GroupÐ $X" Ðon€Human€Rights€Issues€will€continue€to€monitor€the€situation€relating€to€torture.€€The€WorkingÐ ô$D # ÐGroup€will€take€all€steps€necessary€for€the€prevention€of€torture€and€enforcement€of€the€due€processÐ à%0!$ Ðof€law€with€regard€to€all€allegations€of€torture.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ169.€€In€addition€to€providing€specific€replies€to€the€recommendations€made€by€the€Committee€in€itsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðcommunication€dated€28€March€2001,€the€Government€provided€information€on€additional€activitiesÐ )à$( Ðundertaken:€€video€recording€of€confessions€made€by€suspects€to€assistant€superintendents€of€police,Ð |*Ì%) Ðrecorded€under€the€provisions€of€the€Prevention€of€Terrorism€Act€and€the€Emergency€Regulations;Ð h+¸&* Ðâ âcreation€of€additional€detention€facilities€at€the€TID€with€a€view€to€easing€the€overcrowding€of€theÐ T,¤'+ Ðexisting€detention€facilities€on€the€sixth€floor€of€the€new€secretariat€building;€and€identification€andÐ ° Ðformulation€of€legal€methods€of€criminal€investigation€aimed€at€eliciting€self-incriminatory€material.Ð œì Ðâ âÌ170.€€In€its€communication€dated€27€April€2001,€the€Government€of€Sri€Lanka€informed€theÐ tÄ ÐCommittee€that€a€process€had€been€initiated€by€the€Ministry€of€Defence€to€invite€the€attention€of€theÐ `° Ðrelevant€disciplinary€authorities€to€consider€taking€disciplinary€action€against€police€officers€andÐ L œ Ðsecurity€forces€personnel€alleged€to€have€perpetrated€torture.€€Consideration€of€disciplinary€actionÐ 8 ˆ Ðin€relation€to€cases€determined€by€the€Supreme€Court€and€cases€brought€to€the€attention€of€theÐ $ t ÐGovernment€of€Sri€Lanka€by€the€United€Nations€Special€Rapporteur€on€torture€is€continuing.Ð  ` ÐÌ171.€€In€addition,€the€Government€also€provided€statistics€indicating€the€number€of€persons€arrestedÐ è 8  Ðby€law€enforcement€authorities€under€the€provisions€of€the€Prevention€of€Terrorism€Act,€theÐ Ô$  ÐEmergency€Regulations€and€the€normal€laws.€€This€information€was€submitted€because€theÐ À  ÐGovernment€believes€that€the€Committee€should€consider€that€torture€is€practised€systematically€inÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€territory€of€a€State€party€only€if€incidents€of€torture€consistently€occur€in€the€process€commencingÐ ˜è  Ðwith€arrest€and€ending€upon€the€termination€of€detention€or€completion€of€the€penal€sanctions€asÐ „Ô  Ðenforced€by€the€administration€of€justice€system€or€other€similar€de€jure€or€de€facto€process.Ð pÀ ÐÌ5.€€òòFindings€and€conclusions€of€the€Committee€against€TortureóóÐ H˜ ÐÌ172.€€In€November€2001,€the€Committee€transmitted€the€following€findings€and€conclusions€to€theÐ  p ÐGovernment€of€Sri€Lanka.€€The€findings€of€the€Committee,€which€are€based€mostly€on€what€theÐ  \ Ðmembers€conducting€the€inquiry€observed€during€their€visit€to€Sri€Lanka,€are€as€follows.Ð øH ÐÌ173.€€The€most€serious€problem€faced€by€Sri€Lanka€is€the€internal€conflict€that€has€been€going€on€forÐ Ð  Ðyears€and€which€creates€a€climate€of€violence,€in€particular€in€the€northern€and€eastern€part€of€theÐ ¼  Ðcountry,€and€is€aggravated€by€terrorist€acts€perpetrated€in€urban€areas€by€the€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ174.€€The€Government€has€taken€and€continues€to€take€draconian€measures€to€put€an€end€to€theÐ €Ð Ðinternal€conflict.€€These€measures€include€resorting€to€emergency€regulations€which€go€far€beyondÐ l¼ Ðthe€ordinary€emergency€legislation.€€Ð X ¨ ÐÌ175.€€The€Government€employs€not€only€the€police€and€its€armed€forces€in€Ô_ÔcombatingÔ_Ô€terrorism€butÐ 0"€  Ðalso€paramilitary€groups,€some€of€which€include€Tamil€defectors.€€These€groups€are€not€fully€underÐ #l! Ðthe€control€of€civilian€or€military€authorities.Ð $X" ÐÌ176.€€Torture€is€frequently€resorted€to€in€the€following€cases:Ð à%0!$ ÐÌ(a)€€By€the€police,€especially€during€the€first€days€following€arrest€and€detention€of€suspects;Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ(b)€€By€the€army€in€respect€of€captured€suspected€terrorists,€in€order€to€ð ðfacilitateðð€follow„upÐ )à$( Ðoperations€and€before€handing€them€over€to€the€civilian€authorities;€and€Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ(c)€€By€paramilitaries,€who€apparently€are€not€a€regular€force€fully€responsible€to€the€militaryÐ T,¤'+ Ðcommand.Ð @-(, Ї177.€€Even€though€the€number€of€instances€of€torture€is€rather€high,€the€majority€of€suspects€are€notÐ ° Ðtortured;€some€may€be€treated€roughly.€€Ð œì ÐÌ178.€€The€Government€does€not€condone€torture€and€is€employing€various€means€to€prevent€it.€€ItÐ tÄ Ðappears€that€instructions€to€that€effect€are€not€always€obeyed,€and€there€was€no€appropriate€follow„upÐ `° Ðto€ensure€compliance.Ð L œ ÐÌ179.€€Investigation€by€the€Sri€Lankan€police€of€alleged€instances€of€torture€is€not€satisfactory,€as€itÐ $ t Ðhas€been€often€inordinately€delayed.€€Prosecution€or€disciplinary€proceedings€have€until€recently€beenÐ  ` Ðrare.Ð ü L  ÐÌ180.€€Noteworthy€remedial€action€is€that€taken€by€the€High€Court€in€respect€of€fundamental€rightsÐ Ô$  Ðpetitions.€€Mention€may€also€be€made€of€the€work€of€the€Human€Rights€Commission.€€The€work,Ð À  Ðthough€recently€improved,€still€leaves€a€lot€to€be€desired,€particularly€in€ensuring€compliance€withÐ ¬ü  Ðinstructions€to€prevent€torture€and€dealing€with€the€possible€effect€of€new€emergency€legislation€onÐ ˜è  Ðhuman€rights.Ð „Ô  ÐÌ181.€€On€the€basis€of€the€above,€the€Committee€has€reached€the€conclusion€that,€although€a€disturbingÐ \¬ Ðnumber€of€cases€of€torture€and€ill„treatment€as€defined€by€articles€1€and€16€of€the€Convention€areÐ H˜ Ðtaking€place,€mainly€in€connection€with€the€internal€conflict,€its€practice€is€not€systematic.€€Ð 4„ ÐÌ182.€€In€reaching€this€conclusion,€the€Committee€has€taken€into€account€its€views€with€regard€to€theÐ  \ Ðmeaning€of€ð ðsystematic€practice€of€tortureðð€expressed€at€the€end€of€its€first€inquiry€under€article€20Ð øH Ðof€the€Convention€in€1993€and€endorsed€in€subsequent€inquiries€(A/48/44/Add.1,€para.39;€A/51/44,Ð ä4 Ðpara.€214;€and€A/56/44,€para.€163).òò1óó/€€These€describe€the€ordinary€meaning€to€be€ascribed€to€the€termÐ Ð  Ðð ðsystematicðð€in€the€context€of€its€use€in€article€20€of€the€Convention€as€required€by€article€31€of€theÐ ¼  ÐVienna€Convention€on€the€Law€of€Treaties€of€1969.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ183.€€The€Committee€also€took€into€consideration€the€fact€that€the€Government€and€the€governmentÐ €Ð Ðsecurity€forces€began€implementing€most€of€the€recommendations€addressed€to€the€State€party€by€theÐ l¼ ÐCommittee.Ð X ¨ ÐÌÓ  Ó184.€€Needless€to€say,€it€is€the€duty€of€the€Government€to€put€an€end€to€any€act€of€torture€orÐ 0"€  Ðill-treatment,€to€examine€independently€all€allegations€of€torture€and€violations€of€article€16,€to€Ð #l! ÐÓÓÌ__________________Ð ô$D # Ðòòà  à1óó/€€ð ðThe€Committee€considers€that€torture€is€practised€systematically€when€it€is€apparent€thatÐ à%0!$ Ðthe€torture€cases€reported€have€not€occurred€fortuitously€in€a€particular€place€or€at€a€particular€time,Ð Ì&"% Ðbut€are€seen€to€be€habitual,€widespread€and€deliberate€in€at€least€a€considerable€part€of€the€territoryÐ ¸'#& Ðof€the€country€in€question.€€Torture€may€in€fact€be€of€a€systematic€character€without€resulting€fromÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€direct€intention€of€a€Government.€€It€may€be€the€consequence€of€factors€which€the€GovernmentÐ )à$( Ðhas€difficulty€in€controlling,€and€its€existence€may€indicate€a€discrepancy€between€policy€asÐ |*Ì%) Ðdetermined€by€the€central€Government€and€its€implementation€by€the€local€administration.€Ð h+¸&* ÐInadequate€legislation€which€in€practice€allows€room€for€the€use€of€torture€may€also€add€to€theÐ T,¤'+ Ðsystematic€nature€of€this€practice.ððÐ @-(, Ðprosecute€suspects€and€compensate€the€victims,€and€to€comply€fully€with€all€the€recommendationsÐ ° Ðmade€by€the€Committee.€€In€particular,€the€Committee€welcomes€the€measures€taken€by€theÐ œì ÐGovernment€to€bring€the€paramilitary€groups€under€control,€as€they€are€reported€to€be€responsibleÐ ˆØ Ðfor€many€torture€cases.€€It€is€the€view€of€the€Committee€that€these€groups€should€be€disbanded€as€aÐ tÄ Ðmeasure€to€prevent€any€possible€systematic€occurrence€of€torture.Ð `° ÐÌ185.€€The€Committee,€whilst€welcoming€the€setting€up€of€the€Inter„Ministerial€Standing€CommitteeÐ 8 ˆ Ðand€the€Inter„Ministerial€Working€Group€on€Human€Rights€Issues€as€a€very€important€step€in€theÐ $ t Ðright€direction,€calls€on€the€Government€of€Sri€Lanka€to€ensure€their€continued€effectiveness.Ð  ` ÐÌ6.€€òòFurther€information€provided€by€the€Government€of€Sri€LankaóóÐ è 8  ÐÌ186.€€By€communication€dated€11€March€2002,€the€Government€of€Sri€Lanka€provided€a€reply€to€theÐ À  Ðfindings€and€conclusions€of€the€Committee.€€Some€of€the€information€provided€has€been€reflectedÐ ¬ü  Ðabove,€as€it€refers€to€further€developments€related€to€the€recommendations€made€by€the€Committee.Ð ˜è  ÐÌ187.€€According€to€the€reply,€the€Government,€through€the€Sri€Lanka€Foundation€Institute,€the€PoliceÐ pÀ ÐHigher€Training€Institute€and€the€several€training€institutions€of€the€Sri€Lanka€Army,€continues€toÐ \¬ Ðensure€that€police€officers€and€security€forces€personnel€are€trained€to€comply€with€and€respectÐ H˜ Ðstandards€and€norms€pertaining€to€human€rights€and€humanitarian€law.€€Aspects€of€human€rights€andÐ 4„ Ðhumanitarian€law€are€now€included€in€the€normal€syllabuses€of€police€and€security€forces€training.€Ð  p ÐÌ188.€€The€Government€also€informed€the€Committee€that€upon€an€in„depth€analysis€of€the€need€toÐ øH Ðensure€that€the€Police€Department€and€its€personnel€function€only€as€a€law€enforcement€entity€andÐ ä4 Ðnot€as€a€supplementary€force€to€the€three€security€forces,€it€has€established€a€new€ministry,€called€theÐ Ð  ÐMinistry€of€the€Interior,€for€the€main€purpose€of€effectively€Ô_ÔdelinkingÔ_Ô€the€police€from€the€securityÐ ¼  Ðforces€and€the€Ministry€of€Defence.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ189.€€In€addition,€Directorates€of€Human€Rights€have€been€established€in€the€Sri€Lanka€Navy€and€theÐ €Ð ÐSri€Lanka€Air€Force.€€The€mandate€of€the€Directorate€of€Human€Rights€of€the€Sri€Lanka€ArmyÐ l¼ Ðincludes€advising€the€Army€Commander€on€all€matters€concerning€international€humanitarian€lawÐ X ¨ Ðwith€regard€to€conflict€situation;€conducting€training€programmes€among€members€of€the€Army;€andÐ D!” Ðclosely€coordinating€with€the€office€of€the€International€Committee€of€the€Red€Cross€in€Colombo€andÐ 0"€  Ðthe€National€Human€Rights€Commission€to€address€human€rights€and€humanitarian€concerns.Ð #l! ÐÌ190.€€The€Government€also€informed€the€Committee€that€as€a€result€of€initial€negotiations€facilitatedÐ ô$D # Ðby€the€Government€of€Norway,€on€23€February€2002,€the€Government€of€Sri€Lanka€was€able€to€enterÐ à%0!$ Ðinto€a€Ô_ÔceasefireÔ_Ô€agreement€with€the€Ô_ÔLTTEÔ_Ô.€€According€to€the€Government,€the€agreement€containsÐ Ì&"% Ða€series€of€provisions€to€foster€a€conducive€environment€for€enhanced€peaceful€coexistence€amongstÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€different€communities€living€in€Sri€Lanka€and€seeks€to€promote€and€protect€their€human€rights.€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌ191.€€In€the€light€of€the€Committeeððs€conclusion€that€torture€and€other€forms€of€ill„treatment€mainlyÐ |*Ì%) Ðtake€place€in€connection€with€the€internal€conflict,€the€recent€developments,€particularly€the€entryÐ h+¸&* Ðâ âinto€force€of€the€Ô_ÔceasefireÔ_Ô€agreement€on€23€February€2002€monitored€by€an€international€monitoringÐ T,¤'+ Ðmission,€effectively€removes€the€conditions€which€have€been€identified€by€the€Committee€as€a€majorÐ ° Ðcause€for€the€prevalence€of€torture€and€other€forms€of€ill„treatment.Ð œì Ðâ âÌ192.€€In€terms€of€paragraph€2.1€of€the€agreement,€the€Government€has€undertaken€to€refrain€fromÐ tÄ Ðcordon€and€search€operations€or€effecting€any€arrests€or€detentions€of€suspects€under€the€provisionsÐ `° Ðof€the€Prevention€of€Terrorism€Act.€€In€the€event€of€a€need€arising€to€arrest€a€suspect€alleged€to€haveÐ L œ Ðbeen€involved€in€the€commission€of€a€terrorist€act,€such€arrest€would€be€made€under€the€provisionsÐ 8 ˆ Ðof€the€normal€law€(Code€of€Criminal€Procedure€Act).€€The€Ô_ÔceasefireÔ_Ô€agreement€provides€for€aÐ $ t Ðmoratorium€on€the€enforcement€of€the€provisions€of€the€Prevention€of€Terrorism€Act.€€TheÐ  ` ÐGovernment€informed€the€Committee€that€Emergency€Regulations€are€not€in€force€and€that€it€isÐ ü L  Ðwilling€to€examine€and€review€the€existing€provisions€of€the€Prevention€of€Terrorism€Act.Ð è 8  ÐÌ193.€€In€terms€of€paragraph€1.8€of€the€agreement,€all€Tamil€paramilitary€groups€shall€be€disarmedÐ À  Ðwithin€one€month€of€the€date€on€which€the€agreement€came€into€force.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ194.€€In€addition,€the€Government€informed€the€Committee€that€following€the€establishment€of€theÐ „Ô  ÐProsecution€of€Torture€Perpetrators€Unit€in€the€Attorney„Generalððs€Department€and€the€TortureÐ pÀ ÐInvestigations€Unit€in€the€Criminal€Investigations€Department,€all€allegations€of€torture€areÐ \¬ Ðimpartially,€promptly€and€comprehensively€investigated€and,€where€warranted,€the€perpetratorsÐ H˜ Ðprosecuted.Ð 4„ ÐÌ7.€€òòFinal€remarksóóÐ  \ ÐÌ195.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€many€significant€efforts€undertaken€by€the€Government€ofÐ ä4 ÐSriLanka€to€fight€and€prevent€acts€of€torture.€€It€welcomes€the€Ô_ÔceasefireÔ_Ô€agreement€and€expressesÐ Ð  Ðappreciation€for€the€measures€taken€to€implement€nearly€all€the€recommendations€made€by€theÐ ¼  ÐCommittee.€€The€Committee€points€out,€however,€that€the€fight€against€torture€is€an€ongoing€processÐ ¨ø Ðwhich€requires€the€vigilance€of€the€State€party.