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Commission 'deeply concerned' by abduction of foreign official

Graphic: A busy street in Colombo, Sri Lanka

The Commission has called on Sri Lanka's police chief to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident.

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has urged the country's police chief to investigate the abduction of an employee of the Swiss Embassy and bring to account those responsible for the crime.

Local media outlets reported that the embassy employee was released around two hours after being abducted.

In a letter to the Acting Inspector General of Police, Commission Chairperson Dr Deepika Udagama said she was "deeply concerned" by the abduction.

She noted that media reports alleged the group responsible for the abduction had demanded the official provide information about Sri Lankans who had sought protection through that embassy.

"The Commission urgently calls on you to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into this alarming incident," Dr Udagama said in the letter.

"A speedy and impartial investigation into the matter to unearth those responsible is absolutely essential to strengthen public confidence in law enforcement and to dispel public fears."

Dr Udagama said that such fears held by the public can have a "chilling effect on democratic rights and freedoms".

Date: 30 November 2019

Source: Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka


Image credits

  1. A busy street in Colombo, Sri Lanka - Photo by Alex Azabach on Unsplash