CPA filed a Fundamental Rights Application in the Supreme Court challenging the SINHALA REGIME's restriction on the Free Movement of TAMIL IDPs...!!!

RESTRICTIONS ON THE MOVEMENT OF IDPS CHALLENGED IN COURT

By Susitha R. Fernando

The Centre for Policy Alternative (CPA) yesterday filed a fundamental rights application in the Supreme Court challenging the restriction on the free movement of Internally Displaced Persons. The petition claims restricting their (IDPs) free meovement is violation of their fundamental rights.

The petitioners CPA and its Executive Director, Dr. Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu filed the application citing Defence Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary, Gothabaya Rajapaksa and Competent Authority for Northern Province, Major General G. A. Chandrasiri as respondents.

In his application the petitioner states the IDPs had begun arriving at government controlled areas since March 2009. The application goes on to state that presently there are around 300,000 IDPs in Vavuniya and welfare camps in other areas. These IDPs are housed in camps encircled by barbed wire and the displaced persons are not permitted to leave the camps without approval from military officials.

The application goes on to state even officials of the United Nations Organization and the ICRC are not permitted to enter these camps without the permission of the military.

The application adds the Vavuniya Magistrate has recorded the death of 30 senior citizens who died of starvation and malnutrition. The applications claims at present there are 3,100 public servants, 6,700 persons over the age of 60, 780 pregnant women and disabled persons among the IDPs.

The petitioner claimed continuous restriction of the IDPs in camps is violation of their fundamental rights to equality and freedom of movement and asked Court to issue an interim order ensuring that all the IDPs in the camps are entitled to free movement.

DAILYMIRROR.LK