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SRI LANKA: List of 81 disappeared persons documented for the last 8 months

April 5, 2007

URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Urgent Appeal

5 April 2007
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UA-113-2007: SRI LANKA: List of 81 disappeared persons documented for the last 8 months

SRI LANKA: Disappearance; negligence of state; collapse of the rule of law
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Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received a list of name of 81 persons who disappeared between August 2006 to 20 March 2007. This list was documented by the Civil Monitoring Commission. We set out below names and dates and places of the disappearance of these persons. The AHRC is concerned that recently the number of the disappeared has sharply increased in Sri Lanka, while very little action has been taken by the Sri Lankan government on these cases. We call for your immediate and strong intervention on this matter. Please write urgently to the Sri Lankan government to institute inquiries into these cases and take genuine action to stop the ongoing disappearances, allegedly done by the Sri Lankan security forces as well as LTTE. 

LIST OF DISAPPEARED PERSONS DOCUMENTED:

1. Entry # CMC/ABD/01 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Karunagaran Rajkumar - BC-3267
Date & Place of disappearance: 17 August 2006 - Kandy General Hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka

2. Entry # CMC/ABD/02 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Mary Joseph Jugin Premkumar - NIC 672000580V
Date & Place of disappearance: 26 September: 2006 - Sri Lanka Telecom, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.

3. Entry # CMC/ABD/03 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Ramakrishnan Rajkumar - NIC 850354693 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 23 August 2006 - A.K.B. Lodge, Grandpass Road, Colombo 14, Sri Lanka

4. Entry # CMC/ABD/04 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Ramiah Jeyaraja - NIC 841743482 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 20 July 2006 - Kala Traders, Dam Street, Colombo -12, Sri Lanka

5. Entry # CMC/ABD/05 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Antony Paul Eldrin Mathew - NIC 732650644 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 14 February 2007 - St. Anthony’s Mawatha, Colombo-13

6. Entry # CMC/ABD/06 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Sakthivadivel Rajkumar - NIC- 770813832 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 23 October 2006 - Vavuniya

7. Entry # CMC/ABD/07 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Maruthai Ajanthan - Postal ID CM 003266
Date & Place of disappearance: 26 June 2006 - On the way to Vavuniya Town, from his home

8. Entry # CMC/ABD/08 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Sivasubramaniam Sritharan - BC-8839
Date & Place of disappearance: 26 June 2006 - Palavi, Puttalm

9. Entry # CMC/ABD/09 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Sivasubramanian Raveendranath - NIC 510532325 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 15 December 2006 - Science Forum at SLAAS, Vidya Mandiraya, Vidya Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka

10. Entry # CMC/ABD/10 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Raveendran Ranjith - NIC 830633316 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 12 January 2007 - South Asian Lodge Colombo, Olcott Mawatha, Colombo – 11, Sri Lanka

11. Entry # CMC/ABD/11 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Ariyathas Pushpathas - BC-902
Date & Place of disappearance: 07 July 2006 - Vivenanada Hill Street, Colombo-13, Sri Lanka

12. Entry # CMC/ABD/12 - Full name & Identity: Mr.Vairamuththu Varatharasan - NIC 673553478 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 07 January 2007 - Stadium Gama, Grandpass, Colombo 14, Sri Lanka

13. Entry # CMC/ABD/13 - Full name & Identity: Mr.Thangavel Mayuran - NIC 833253174 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 22 December 2006 - Tele Print, Galle Road, Wellawatte, Colombo – 06, Sri Lanka

14. Entry # CMC/ABD/14 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Ramiah Subramanium - NIC 762064227 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 26 September 2006 - Meegoda, Sri Lanka

15. Entry # CMC/ABD/15 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Kanagasapai Steepan - BC1081
Date & Place of disappearance: 27 February 2007 - Sangamiththa Mawatha, Kotahena, Colombo 13, Sri Lanka

16. Entry # CMC/ABD/16 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Thavapalan Krishnakaran - NIC 861503569 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 12 January 2007 - South Asian Lodge Colombo, Olcott Mawatha, Colombo 11, Sri Lanka

17. Entry # CMC/ABD/17 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Yogarasa Mathanarasa - NIC 731863741 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 08 February 2007 - South Asian Lodge Colombo, Olcott Mawatha, Colombo – 11, Sri Lanka

18. Entry # CMC/ABD/18 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Kanapathipillai Puvaneshwaran - NIC 740522442V
Date & Place of disappearance: 12 January 2007 - South Asian Lodge Colombo, Olcott Mawatha, Colombo – 11, Sri Lanka

19. Entry # CMC/ABD/19 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Kanapathipillai Ravindran - NIC 763184374 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 28 January 2007 - Charlement Road, Colombo 06, Sri Lanka

20. Entry # CMC/ABD/20 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Muthiah Sathyaseelan - NIC 761924311 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 10 July 2006 - Pittavataravum, Mill Road, Puttalam, Sri Lanka

21. Entry # CMC/ABD/21 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Ramachandra Susilakumar - NIC 712542330 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 02 November 2006 - Opposite Mayura Cafe, Sri Kathiresan Street, Colombo – 11, Sri Lanka

22. Entry # CMC/ABD/22 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Muniyandi Sureshkumar - NIC 861242382 V
Date & Place of disappearance: Date 10 July 2006 - Pittavataravum, Mill Road, Puttalam, Sri Lanka

23. Entry # CMC/ABD/23 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Chelliah Premasri - NIC 682191856 V
Date & Place of disappearance: Date 05 July 2006 - Sea Street, Colombo – 11, Sri Lanka

24. Entry # CMC/ABD/24 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Palanisamy Suresh - NIC 780460202 X
Date & Place of disappearance: 01 February 2007 - Bunjean Road, Kotehena, Colombo-13, Sri Lanka

25. Entry # CMC/ABD/25 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Nadaraja Vijayakumar - NIC 503113112V
Date & Place of disappearance: 31 January 2007 - Galle Road, Bambalapitiya, Colombo 04, Sri Lanka

26. Entry # CMC/ABD/26 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Murugiah Surendran - NIC 833312707V
Date & Place of disappearance: 09 January 2007 - Palavi, Puttalam, Sri Lanka

27. Entry # CMC/ABD/27 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Kunjupillai Sivakanthan - GCID 38922/ GCID 105/291 Kotahena police station
Date & Place of disappearance: 23 August 2006 - Messenger Road, Colombo 12, Sri Lanka

28. Entry # CMC/ABD/28 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Subaramaniam Jeshuthasan - NIC 751431872 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 11 January 2007 - Central Bus Stand Pettah, Colombo, Sri Lanka

29. Entry # CMC/ABD/29 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Natkunam Selvarasa - NIC 792554075 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 08 January 2007 - St. Mary’s Road, Mattakkuliya, Colombo-15, Sri Lanka

30. Entry # CMC/ABD/30 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Alakaiya Logeshwaran - NIC-761113747 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 11 January 2007 - Central Bus stand Pettah, Colombo, Sri Lanka

31. Entry # CMC/ABD/31 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Varapragasam Morrison - NIC 722113667 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 08 January 2007 - St. Mary’s, Road, Mattakuliya, Colombo – 15, Sri Lanka

32. Entry # CMC/ABD/32 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Velu Selvaratnam - NIC 753601058 V
Date & Place of disappearance: Date 06 July 2006 - Munneswaram, Chelow, Sri Lanka

33. Entry # CMC/ABD/33 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Madasamy Jeyasankar - NIC-721201465 X
Date & Place of disappearance: 09 January 2006 - Near the sports Ministry, Baudhalaloka Mawatha, Sri Lanka

34. Entry # CMC/ABD/34 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Luis Moris Satkunanathan (Retired GS) - NIC 480182090 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 06 February 2007 - Near Mannar Navy Camp, Mannar, Sri Lanka

35. Entry # CMC/ABD/35 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Thurairasa Nimalan GS - BC 2124
Date & Place of disappearance: Date 17 January 2007 - Armor Street, Colombo – 12, Sri Lanka

36. Entry # CMC/ABD/36 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Thirulogarasa Prabakaran - NIC 762354616 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 12 September 2006 - Kotehena Street, Colombo-13, Sri Lanka

37. Entry # CMC/ABD/37 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Paramjothipillai Navaratna - NIC 773040893 X
Date & Place of disappearance: 21 August 2006 - Near Thavalasingarama Pansala, Thotalanga, Colombo 15, Sri Lanka

38. Entry # CMC/ABD/38 - Full name & Identity: Mr. S. M. Maxi Bolton - NIC 641851051 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 09 December 2006 - Paramanantha Vihara Mawatha, Kotahena, Colombo 13, Sri Lanka

39. Entry # CMC/ABD/39 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Jeyawarthanage Raja - NIC 602884490 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 19 October 2006 - Soysapura Flats, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka

40. Entry # CMC/ABD/40 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Sriharan Rajagajan - NIC 813562553 V
Date & Place of disappearance: Date 17 May 2006 - Kalatti Junction, Jaffna, Sri Lanka

41. Entry # CMC/ABD/41 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Devaraja Jeagatheepan - NIC 773330204 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 09 July 2006 - Front of Police Station, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka

42. Entry # CMC/ABD/42 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Sujampu Nadar Ketheeswaran - NIC 760782700X
Date & Place of disappearance: Date 10 January 2007 - Ellie Lane, Aluthmawatha Road, Colombo – 15, Sri Lanka

43. Entry # CMC/ABD/43 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Sujampu Nadar Kanapathy - NIC 810182237 X
Date & Place of disappearance: 10 January 2007 - Ellie Lane, Aluthmawatha Road, Colombo – 15, Sri Lanka

44. Entry # CMC/ABD/44 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Shanmugalingam Manivannan - NIC 752970998V
Date & Place of disappearance: 21 August 2006 - Kotahena Street, Colombo 13, Sri Lanka

45. Entry # CMC/ABD/45 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Muthaiya Thiruchelvam - NIC 742393623 X
Date & Place of disappearance: 13 October 2006 - New City Salon, Bastian Mawatha, Pettah, Colombo 11, Sri Lanka

46. Entry # CMC/ABD/46 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Balendran Ratheeskanth - NIC 810272317 V
Date & Place of disappearance: Date 13 January 2007 - Pavilion Boarding House, David Mawatha, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka

47. Entry # CMC/ABD/47 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Vadivel Divakaran - NIC-730550928 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 25 September 2006 - St. Benedict Mawatha, Colombo – 13, Sri Lanka

48. Entry # CMC/ABD/48 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Santhirasegaran Pratheeban - NIC-800131545 V
Date & Place of disappearance: Date 16 November 2006 - Galle Road, Wellawatta, Colombo-06, Sri Lanka

49. Entry # CMC/ABD/49 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Mahalingam Suppaih - BC-7237
Date & Place of disappearance: 21 August 2006 - Peoples Park, Pettah, Colombo 11, Sri Lanka

50. Entry # CMC/ABD/50 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Yoganathanpillai Pushpakumar - NIC802402244V
Date & Place of disappearance: 23 September 2006 - Fife Lane, Colombo – 05, Sri Lanka

51. Entry # CMC/ABD/51 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Subramaniam Ravees - NIC-802701381 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 28 January 2007 - Opposite Velankani Church, Kathiresan Street, Colombo – 13, Sri Lanka

52. Entry # CMC/ABD/52 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Sakthivel Thiyakaraja - NIC-812041100 V
Date & Place of disappearance: Date 27 October 2006 - Wattala, Sri Lanka

53. Entry # CMC/ABD/53 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Sivathasan Kugathasan - NIC-803425490 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 21 June 2006 - Opposite of Vichithira Hotel, Jampettah Street, Colombo 13, Sri Lanka

54. Entry # CMC/ABD/54 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Christy Balendran Croos - NIC-773592299 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 06 February 2007 - Pesalai, Mannar, Sri Lanka

55. Entry # CMC/ABD/55 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Sivakumar Jathavakumar - NIC-862043693 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 16 December 2006 - Francis Road, Wellawatta, Colombo-06, Sri Lanka

56. Entry # CMC/ABD/56 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Sellathampy Selvakumar - PC Ref-A/67 11-10-2006
Date & Place of disappearance: 28 August 2006 - S.S Video Centre, Colombo Road, Thillaiyadi, Puttalam, Sri Lanka

57. Entry # CMC/ABD/57 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Yogaraja Madhanraj - PP-M1374608
Date & Place of disappearance: 31 January 2007 - Kotahena Street, Colombo – 13, Sri Lanka

58. Entry # CMC/ABD/58 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Mohamad Mazreen Mohamad Riyaz - NIC-733441194 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 22 January 2007 - Messenger Street, New Bazaar, Colombo 12, Sri Lanka

59. Entry # CMC/ABD/59 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Sinnakkili Karunakara - HRC 6361/05/L12
Date & Place of disappearance: 27 December 2005 - Perakkumba Place, Wellawatta, Colombo-06, Sri Lanka

60. Entry # CMC/ABD/60 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Abdul Wahid Mohammad Fawzul Ameer - NIC-561940517 V
Date & Place of disappearance: Date 22 July 2006 - Near the Kattuwambi Bridge, Polannaruwa, Sri Lanka

61. Entry # CMC/ABD/61 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Sivarajah Haran - NIC-842954215 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 26 April 2006 - Station Road, Wellawatta, Colombo-06, Sri Lanka

62. Entry # CMC/ABD/62 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Cecil Godwin - NIC-670590240 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 26 July 2006 - New Chetty Street, Colombo13, Sri Lanka
 
63. Entry # CMC/ABD/63 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Manikkam Easwaran - NIC-762564750 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 17 August 2006 - Negombo Road, Wattala, Sri Lanka

64. Entry # CMC/ABD/64 - Full name: Mr. Nadesan Velayutham –
Date & Place of disappearance: 08 March 2007 - Near Fussles lane Wellawatta, Colombo -06, Sri Lanka

65. Entry # CMC/ABD/65 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Dharmaratnam Vanidarajah - NIC-730151314 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 20 April 2005 - 1st Chappel Lane (opposition St. Clare’s School) Wellawatta, Colombo – 06, Sri Lanka

66. Entry # CMC/ABD/66 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Selladurai Selvakumar - NIC-811211923 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 26 July 2006 - Helahura Road, Hendala, Wattala, Sri Lanka

67. Entry # CMC/ABD/67 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Sabapathy Matheeswaran - NIC 810202050 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 22 February 2007 - Wellawatta when Traveling to Indian High Commission, Sri Lanka

68. Entry # CMC/ABD/68 - Full name & Identity: Mr. A.J. Lal Premaratne - NIC 761731785 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 22 August 2006 - Rodney Street, Kota Road, Borella , Colombo 08, Sri Lanka

69. Entry # CMC/ABD/69 - Full name & Identity: Miss. Logenthirajah Komathy - NIC 728300523 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 22 August 2006 - Borupana Road, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka
 
70. Entry # CMC/ABD/70 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Thamodaram Mahendran - NIC 622203189 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 26 September 2006 - Udappu, Sri Lanka

71. Entry # CMC/ABD/71 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Subramaniam Paramasivam - NIC 650213920 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 26 September 2006 - Udappu, Sri Lanka
 
72. Entry # CMC/ABD/72 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Thuraiappa Kalaichelvan - NIC 730564007 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 18 September 2006 - Inner Harbour Road, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka

73. Entry # CMC/ABD/73 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Kanagaratnam Manohara Nehru - NIC-493191438 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 20 April 2005 - 1st Chappel Lane (opposition St. Clare’s School) Wellawatta, Colombo – 06, Sri Lanka

74. Entry # CMC/ABD/74 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Harigari Dasan Tyron - NIC-730452535 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 09 February 2007 - Omandhai Check Point, Vavuniya, Sri Lanka

75. Entry # CMC/ABD/75 - Full name: Mr. Balakrishnan Ramar -
Date & Place of disappearance: 10 July 2006 - Pittavataravum Mill Road, Puttalam, Sri Lanka

76. Entry # CMC/ABD/76 - Full name & Identity: Mr. Joseph Suganthakumar - NIC-871242321 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 20 March 2007 - Negombo Bus Stand, Kochchikada Terminal, Sri Lanka

77. Entry # CMC/ABD/77 - Full name Mr. Ariyathas Vijayakumar -
Date & Place of disappearance: 15 August 2000 - Ambal’s Communication, Nellukkulam, Vavuniya, Sri Lanka

78. Entry # CMC/ABD/78 - Full name & Identity: Mr. V.E.M.S. Yogarajan - NIC-562643028 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 20 March 2007 - Negombo Bus Stand, Kochchikada Terminal, Sri Lanka

79. Entry # CMC/ABD/79 - Full name & Identity: Mr. V.E.M.S.Y. Daniel - NIC-851460225 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 20 March Year 2007 - Negombo Bus Stand, Kochchikada Terminal, Sri Lanka

80. Entry # CMC/ABD/80 - Full name & Identity: Mr. V.E.M.S.Y. David - NIC-871530971 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 20 March 2007 - Negombo Bus Stand, Kochchikada Terminal, Sri Lanka

81. Entry # CMC/ABD/81 - Full name & Identity: Mrs. Lal P. Nishanthi - NIC 818311478 V
Date & Place of disappearance: 22 August 2006 - Rodney Street, Kota Road, Borella , Colombo 08, Sri Lanka

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the relevant Sri Lankan authorities listed below and demand speedy and proper investigations into these cases.

To support this appeal, please click:

Sample letter:

Dear ________,

SRI LANKA: List of 81 disappeared persons documented for the last 8 months

I have received from the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), Hong Kong a list of 81 persons who have disappeared from August 2006 to 20 March 2007. Considering the deteriorating human rights situation in Sri Lanka, I believe that they are only small portion of the actual number of the disappeared in the country.  

I am deeply concerned by sharply increasing number of the disappeared in recent months in your country. Although several international human rights organizations and institutions, including the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances have intervened in this matter, it seems to me that very little action has been taken by the Sri Lankan government to solve these gross human rights violations.

I strongly request you to immediately order thorough and independent inquiries into the 81 cases and ensure that the alleged perpetrators are brought to justice as soon as possible. I also request the Government of Sri Lanka to take genuine action to stop the ongoing disappearances allegedly committed by the Sri Lankan security forces as well as LTTE.   

Yours truly,


---------------

PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

1. Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse
President
Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka
C/- Office of the President
Temple Trees
150, Galle Road
Colombo 3
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2472100 / +94 11 2446657
Email: secretary@presidentsoffice.lk

2. Secretary
Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order
15/5, Baladaksha Mawatha,
Colombo 03,
SRI LANKA
Tel: 94-11 2 430860-9, 430878-9 or 435879 (for the secretary)
Fax: 94 11 2 446300 or 421529
E-mail: secdef@sltnet.lk

3. Mr. Victor Perera
Inspector General of Police
New Secretariat
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 440440/327877
E-mail: igp@police.lk

4. Secretary
Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka
No. 36, Kynsey Road
Colombo 8
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 694 925 / 673 806
Fax: +94 11 2 694 924 / 696 470
E-mail: sechrc@sltnet.lk


Thank you.

Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ahrchk@ahrchk.org)


Document Type :
Urgent Appeal Case
Document ID :
UA-113-2007
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Extended Introduction: Urgent Appeals, theory and practice

A need for dialogue

Many people across Asia are frustrated by the widespread lack of respect for human rights in their countries.  Some may be unhappy about the limitations on the freedom of expression or restrictions on privacy, while some are affected by police brutality and military killings.  Many others are frustrated with the absence of rights on labour issues, the environment, gender and the like. 

Yet the expression of this frustration tends to stay firmly in the private sphere.  People complain among friends and family and within their social circles, but often on a low profile basis. This kind of public discourse is not usually an effective measure of the situation in a country because it is so hard to monitor. 

Though the media may cover the issues in a broad manner they rarely broadcast the private fears and anxieties of the average person.  And along with censorship – a common blight in Asia – there is also often a conscious attempt in the media to reflect a positive or at least sober mood at home, where expressions of domestic malcontent are discouraged as unfashionably unpatriotic. Talking about issues like torture is rarely encouraged in the public realm.

There may also be unwritten, possibly unconscious social taboos that stop the public reflection of private grievances.  Where authoritarian control is tight, sophisticated strategies are put into play by equally sophisticated media practices to keep complaints out of the public space, sometimes very subtly.  In other places an inner consensus is influenced by the privileged section of a society, which can control social expression of those less fortunate.  Moral and ethical qualms can also be an obstacle.

In this way, causes for complaint go unaddressed, un-discussed and unresolved and oppression in its many forms, self perpetuates.  For any action to arise out of private frustration, people need ways to get these issues into the public sphere.

Changing society

In the past bridging this gap was a formidable task; it relied on channels of public expression that required money and were therefore controlled by investors.  Printing presses were expensive, which blocked the gate to expression to anyone without money.  Except in times of revolution the media in Asia has tended to serve the well-off and sideline or misrepresent the poor.

Still, thanks to the IT revolution it is now possible to communicate with large audiences at little cost.  In this situation there is a real avenue for taking issues from private to public, regardless of the class or caste of the individual.

Practical action

The AHRC Urgent Appeals system was created to give a voice to those affected by human rights violations, and by doing so, to create a network of support and open avenues for action.  If X’s freedom of expression is denied, if Y is tortured by someone in power or if Z finds his or her labour rights abused, the incident can be swiftly and effectively broadcast and dealt with. The resulting solidarity can lead to action, resolution and change. And as more people understand their rights and follow suit, as the human rights consciousness grows, change happens faster. The Internet has become one of the human rights community’s most powerful tools.   

At the core of the Urgent Appeals Program is the recording of human rights violations at a grass roots level with objectivity, sympathy and competence. Our information is firstly gathered on the ground, close to the victim of the violation, and is then broadcast by a team of advocates, who can apply decades of experience in the field and a working knowledge of the international human rights arena. The flow of information – due to domestic restrictions – often goes from the source and out to the international community via our program, which then builds a pressure for action that steadily makes its way back to the source through his or her own government.   However these cases in bulk create a narrative – and this is most important aspect of our program. As noted by Sri Lankan human rights lawyer and director of the Asian Human Rights Commission, Basil Fernando:

"The urgent appeal introduces narrative as the driving force for social change. This idea was well expressed in the film Amistad, regarding the issue of slavery. The old man in the film, former president and lawyer, states that to resolve this historical problem it is very essential to know the narrative of the people. It was on this basis that a court case is conducted later. The AHRC establishes the narrative of human rights violations through the urgent appeals. If the narrative is right, the organisation will be doing all right."

Patterns start to emerge as violations are documented across the continent, allowing us to take a more authoritative, systemic response, and to pinpoint the systems within each country that are breaking down. This way we are able to discover and explain why and how violations take place, and how they can most effectively be addressed. On this path, larger audiences have opened up to us and become involved: international NGOs and think tanks, national human rights commissions and United Nations bodies.  The program and its coordinators have become a well-used tool for the international media and for human rights education programs. All this helps pave the way for radical reforms to improve, protect and to promote human rights in the region.