Vavuniya: 41 disappearances in 3 weeks

The Human Rights Commission (SLHRC) said its Vavuniya office had received complaints relating to the disappearances of 41 people in the past three weeks in the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) -dominated town.
An international truce monitor examines the bodies of two youth abducted in Sri Lanka Army-controlled Vavuniya. Photo TamilNet.

A total of 104 complaints have been filed, including death threats, intimidation, and arrests by the security forces.

54 complaints are related to threats to life and intimidation, and 9 are on arrests. 15 of these complaints are against the SLA and the police.

There had been 39 complaints in the first week of January, 37 in the second and 28 in the third week.

HRC officials said that they are investigating the disappearances but often face hurdles beyond their control, in reference to difficulties in investigating abuses by the security forces.

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