Urgent Appeal Update

On Aug. 2, 2002, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka declared a judgement in favour of Angeline Roshana, a 25-year-old woman who complained to the court of being tortured, illegally arrested and illegally detained by Inspector Selvin Saleh, officer in charge (OIC) of the Crimes Division of the Narahenpita police. The court held that her rights guaranteed under Articles 11, 13(1) and 13(2) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka had been violated by the police. The court in the judgement delivered by Justice Mark Fernando awarded her compensation of 100,000 rupees (US,172). 

On orders of the attorney general of Sri Lanka, the Prosecution of Torture Victim’s Unit has now initiated the inquiry into the allegation of torture made by Lalith Rajapakse against several officers of the Kandana police station. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) recorded the statement of Lalith and a few other witnesses today, Aug. 1, 2002. 

Dear Friends,  Regarding our previous appeal (UA-39-2001) about the arrest and trial of Mr. S. K. Pradhan, secretary-general of the Peoples Forum for Human Rights and Development (PFHRD), we are forwarding you the following letter from Jiwan Pradhan, secretary of PFHRD in order to keep your attention and support.  Jiwan Pradhan is requesting you to […]

Dear Friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is happy to learn that the Prosecution of Torture Perpetrators Unit of the Attorney General’s Department has forwarded the information provided by AHRC on the torture of H.P. Nandini S. Herat to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and asked CID to conduct a criminal investigation into the […]

Dear Friends, Following is the letter written by Fr. Pulikkal, a well-known retreat preacher, Director of the Ignatian Retreat Centre at Pariyaram and above all one of the most revered and respected of provincials in the Kerala Jesuit Province, regarding Fr. Pallath’s case. He has made public damning indictment of the Kerala Jesuit¡¯s handing of […]

Regarding the torture case of Jerad Perera in Sri Lanka, issued by the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) on June 17, 2002, three judges of Supreme Court of Sri Lanka heard the submissions of the petitioner in the fundamental rights violation case in which Jerad Perera complained of brutal torture by the Officer In Charge […]

Dear Friends, We have been informed that Fr. Pallath’s hunger strike was called off yesterday, the 44th day of hunger strike. But his demand for justice is still remained. For your information, We are sending you the following update on this event. Thank you for your attention.   Urgent Appeals Desk Asian Human Rights Commission […]

For the 4th day in succession, after the failed attempt by the Police commissioner to resolve the issue, Fr. Pallath has refused to take any medication. The last of the forceful administering of medication happened in the presence of the Police commissioner on last Sunday. The sudden drop of one kg of weight was already giving anxious moments to his supporters and the doctors.

Dear Friends, We are sending you herewith the following updates on the four cases of torture from Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, none of these four cases has been investigated and the officers who have allegedly committed these crimes, still enjoy their privileges and impunity, even though some of their name already have been reported. Therefore, we […]

The coming to light of two revealing letters provide ample evidence to the fact that the Kerala Jesuits not only veered around to the conclusion that Fr. Pallath’s dismissal was indeed \”flawed – juridically, morally and religiously\”, but wanted to reconsider the whole issue ‘with complete Ignition indifference’ and be ‘open to every possibility, what ever the cost’.

We would like to send you a copy of letter sent by Basil Fernando to the Jesuit superior general in Rome regarding Fr. Pallath¡¯s hunger strike.

Despite the failure of the 5-hour marathon talks he initiated, the Police Commissioner of Calicut Mr. Sanjeev Patjoshi spent a good another 2 hours today exclusively with Fr. Pallath trying persuade him to end the hunger strike in deference to the critical turn his health. Against the adamancy of the Jesuits not to do anything substantial, the commissioner was left with no option but to personally request Fr. Pallath to end the fast.

Fr. Pallath¡¯s hunger strike has entered its 38th day today, with no tangible move by the Jesuit authorities to settle the issue. To the growing number of prominent citizens demanding that justice be done to Fr. Pallath, was added the voice of Medha Patkar, India’s most ardent voice for people’s power and justice. She was extremely concerned about the callousness with which the authorities treating the hunger strike.

(RE: UA/16/2002 – Support Fr. Pallath’s hunger strike for justice – 06 May 2002) UPDATE (INDIA): Letter from the regional secretary in the Jesuit, AHRC’s reply and more updates ——————————————————————— 33rd DAY OF THE HUNGER STRIKE PLEASE VISIT THE JESUIT HOUSES IN YOUR COUNTRY! The following is a copy of a letter distributed by the […]

31st DAY OF THE HUNGER STRIKE PLEASE VISIT THE JESUIT HOUSES IN YOUR COUNTRY IF YOU CAN NOT WRITE TO THEM For your action, we are sending you the following latest updates on Fr. Pallath¡¯s hunger strike. – Protests spread to other Jesuit Institutions of Kerala – Tom Kochery joins issue with the Jesuits – […]

Dear Friends  Following is an URGENT update on the case of Mr. Lalith Rajapakse, a torture victim in Sri Lanka. Following letter has been sent by the AHRC to the National Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to seek their urgent intervention. We are requesting you to act urgently by sending letters to relevant authorities […]

UPDATE (INDIA): The latest updates – AHRC visited the Jesuit house in HK and more ———————————————————————- 28TH DAY OF THE HUNGER STRIKE PLEASE VISIT JESUIT HOUSES THROUGHT THE W0RLD AND TELL THEM ABOUT FR. PALLATH¡¯S CASE. Today, AHRC representatives visited, Rev. Fr. A. Deignan, SJ the local Jesuit superior Ricci Hall, University of Hong Kong […]

Dear Friends,  Following is the latest update on Fr. Pallath’s hunger strike. He was arrested and forcibly shifted to the Calicut Medical College hospital today.  We are urging you once again to hold protests in front of the Jesuit houses in your country and to send protest letter, which suggested before, by fax or mail […]

RE: UA/16/2002 – Support Fr. Pallath’s hunger strike for justice – 06 May 2002) UPDATE (INDIA): Priests and Nuns in Kerala Demonstrate in Support of Fr. Pallath despite Pressure from Local Jesuit Authorities ———————————————————————- Dear Friends, The following is a copy of a letter sent by Basil Fernando, executive director of the Asian Human Rights […]

(RE: UA/16/2002 – Support Fr. Pallath’s hunger strike for justice – 06 May 2002) UPDATE (INDIA): 26th Day of Indefinite Hunger Strike by Fr. Pallath ———————————————————————- PEOPLE’S RESPONSE INCREASES BUT THE JUSUIT SUPERIORS SAY, “LET HIM DIE!” The fast of Fr. Pallath J. Joseph reached its 26th day today. He is visibly weak and feeble. […]