Prisoner rights group writes to UN Special Rapporteurs after Mahara incidents

• Urges UN bodies to call on Govt. to practice restraint, abide by national and international laws when responding to tensions in prisons
• States that while some prisoners were released amidst COVID-19 fears, many more were remanded
• Says over 12 prisoners have committed suicide so far this year 

The Chairman of the Committee for Protecting the Rights of Prisoners Attorney Seneka Perera has written to the Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions of the UN Human Rights Council, making an urgent appeal on the situation of prisons in Sri Lanka amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.

In the letter, Perera said he was writing in the aftermath of the killing of 11 prisoners and injuring of more than 100 at the Mahara Prison stating that since March this year, they have appealed to the President and other authorities to ensure the protection of prisoners in the context of COVID-19.

“We pointed out the inability of inmates to practice health guidelines due to massive congestion and suggested practical steps that could be taken to release prisoners and reduce congestion through existing legal and constitutional provisions. Though there were some prisoners released immediately after our letter, large numbers of new inmates were admitted to prisons afterwards,” Perera said in the letter.

He added eight of those killed at Mahara had reportedly tested COVID-19 positive and expressed fears that their remains are cremated, which may hamper criminal investigations to hold those responsible accountable.

The letter said that an 82-year-old inmate had died of COVID-19 and more than 100 prisoners have been confirmed COVID-19 positive. Around12 suicides, too, have been reported this year in prisons, with most appearing to be suspects who are alleged to have used and or traded drugs and or illicit liquor.

“It appears that prison authorities are not providing professional support and care for such persons, and not putting in place adequate mechanisms to prevent suicides. There are also concerns about the lack of nutritious food, the restricting of visits from family members without adequate alternative communication facilities, and the deployment of special commandos trained for armed conflict to prisons,” the letter added.

The committee urged the two UN Special Rapporteurs to inquire into the latest incident and to call on the Government to practice restraint, and abide by national and international laws when responding to any tensions in prisons.

“We also stress the importance of addressing causes that lead prisoners to try and escape and protest, and to urgently take measures to ensure the rights of prisoners, and protect them and the prison staff from COVID-19,” the letter said.