OHCHR concerned over crackdown on drug abusers in Sri Lanka

The UN human rights office (OHCHR) said on Friday it was very concerned over Sri Lanka’s adoption of a “heavily security-based response” as a means of tackling illegal drug abuse.

Spokesperson Liz Throssell said that “a staggering” 29,000 people have reportedly been arrested on drug-related charges since 17 December, and some are alleging that they have been ill-treated or tortured.

Security forces have reportedly conducted raids without search warrants, detaining suspected drug sellers and users, while thousands have been sent to military-run rehabilitation centres.

“During and after these operations, people are reported to have been subjected to a number of violations, including unauthorised searches, arbitrary arrests and detention, ill-treatment, torture, and strip searches in public”, said Ms. Throssell, while some lawyers acting for detainees allege that they have faced intimidation from police officers.

Although drugs were a pressing problem for any society, “a heavy-handed law enforcement approach is not the solution”, she added.  “Abuse of drugs and the factors that lead to it are first and foremost public health and social issues. People suspected of selling or trafficking drugs are entitled to humane treatment, with full respect for due process and transparent, fair trials.”

She said what was needed were appropriate support and programmes which tackle the root causes of addiction and allow social reintegration.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk is urging Sri Lanka to review its ongoing “Yukthiya” operation, and to implement human rights based approaches, said Ms. Throssell, adding that allegations of abuse of authority, torture and ill-treatment, or denial of due process, “must be thoroughly and impartially investigated”.

(UN News)