Torture Still Exists in Srilanka – UN Rapporteurs

Visiting UN special rapporteurs Juan Mendez and Monico Pinto at the end of their 10 day visit called for a press conference yesterday(7). They said that despite significant decrease in the number of reported cases of torture, the practice of “interrogation under physical and mental coercion still exists and severe forms of torture continue to be used in Srilanka. In cases where there is a real or perceived threat to national security, torture is a common practice adopted by CID and TID. UN Rapporteurs met all people concerned during their stay in Srilanka. They had unfettered access to all places they wanted to visit including detention centers, prisons, police stations, military camps and met with victims of torture and detainees. On their return they will be submitting their report to the UN Human Rights Council, they concluded.