Summary
Mr. Pattani Razeek, human rights defender and Managing
Trustee of the Community Trust Fund (CTF), has been
disappearing since 11 February 2010. He was last
seen in Polonnaruwa, a town in North-Central Province of
Sri Lanka when he was on his way home with CTF
members.
On 11 February, the mission team of Mr. Razeek
was returning home when their van was intercepted by a
white van. In Sri Lanka, "white vans" have been
known as vehicles for abductions and disappearances. Approaching
the white van, Mr. Razeek exchanged greetings with the
men in the vehicle in Arabic which indicated that the men
were Muslims. After a short conversation, Mr.
Razeek went back to his colleagues and told them that he
was going to join the group in the white van that was
heading to the Eastern provincial town of Valaichchenai,
assuring that he will meet them up later.
However, on 12 February, the CTF was informed by
Mr. Razeek's family that he did not arrive home from the
mission. On 15 February, a call from Mr.
Razeek's mobile phone was also made to a CTF driver, but
it was missed. When the call was returned, there were no
answers. On the same day, a text message was sent from
Mr. Razeek's mobile phone to a member of his family. The
text message said that he was in Polonnaruwa and that he
would be home soon. Since then, there was neither news
nor further messages from Mr. Razeek.
Mr. Razeek's family has registered a case of his
disappearance with the local police in their hometown of
Puttalam, as well as with the Human Rights Commission of
Sri Lanka. However, the Human Rights Commission
did not give any file or reference number to Mr. Razeek's
family, which they could use to follow-up the case.
Moreover, up to day, nobody from the Commission has been
in touch with the family or friends of Mr. Razeek. Although
this case has been reported to police authorities, it is
alleged that they have been lethargic to conduct any
proper investigations.
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| Action Requested Please write polite letters
expressing your concern about the disappearance of Mr.
Pattani Razeek, urging the authorities to take
immediate steps to investigate his disappearance and
ascertain his well-being. Where possible, please
send letters by post.
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letters to: |
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- MRS. CHANDRA ELLAWALA
SECRETARY
Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka
118, Barnes Place
Colombo 07
Sri Lanka
- MR. MAHINDA BALASURIYA
INSPECTOR GENERAL of POLICE (IGP)
New Secretariat
Colombo 1
Sri Lanka
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Fax: +94 11 2694924
Fax: +94 11 2 440440
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| Send
copies to: |
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- Diplomatic representatives of Sri Lanka
in your countries
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Sample
Letter
I am writing to express our
grave concern about the disappearance of Mr.
Pattani Razeek on 11 February 2010. He was last
seen in Polonnaruwa, the North-Central Province
of Sri Lanka, when he was on his way home.
His van was intercepted by a white van which was
allegedly heading to the Eastern provincial town
of Valaichchenai. Mr. Razeek joined them and has
since disappeared. A text message was sent from
his mobile, on 15 February, informing a family
member that he was in Polonnaruwa and he would be
home soon. However, he has not been found. His
family reported his disappearance to the local
police in Puttalam, as well as the Human Rights
Commission of Sri Lanka. Disappointingly, your
Human Rights Commission did not even give the
family any reference number which is necessary
for following up the case. Neither the police
conduct any investigation.
Please be reminded that both the police and the
Human Rights Commission have the obligation to
safeguard the safety of civilians. Hence, we urge
you to take adequate actions to
investigate Mr. Razeek's disappearance
immediately. |
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Background
Mr. Pattani Razeek heads the Community Trust
Fund (CTF) as its Managing Trustee. The CTF is a
non-governmental organization based in Sri Lanka that
works to protect human rights and promote equality. The
CTF provides disaster emergency relief assistance as well
as assistance for the people affected by the on?going
civil war in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka policing system has been criticized for their
failure and unwillingness to conduct proper investigation
of disappearances while it has become a common occurrence
in the country. Generally, disappearances fall into two
types, for counter-insurgence and for political reasons.
Regarding political reasons, "disappearance"
has become a common way to weaken opposition parties and
dissidents. There have been a large number of persons
abducted and the most of them were extra-judicially
executed, or their whereabouts remain unknown.
Please noted that at the moment there is
no edvidence that Mr. Razeek has been abducted.
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