British Tamils continue to be held in Sri Lankan jails without charge under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, despite pleas from parents to transfer them to British prisons if found guilty of any crime.
The renewed plea comes as TNA MP Suresh Premachandran’s appeals to Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem were batted away, with Hakeem responding that the British Foreign Office had to approach the Sri Lankan government over the issue of any potential transfers.
Although the exact number of Tamils who hold British passports being held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act is unknown, the case of one man Viswalingam Gopithas from South London who has been held for over 5 years without charge was highlighted by the Guardian in 2011 (See here).
Also see a video on his case by Radio Netherlands Worldwide here.
See our earlier post: British Tamils held in Sri Lanka without charge (18 September 2011)
