07/23/2014, 00.00
SRI LANKA
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Sri Lanka: Navy officers rape two children aged 11 and 9

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) reports two separate attacks, but both in the north of the country. Their parents were threatened and the seven soldiers released on bail.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - In Sri Lanka, two children aged 11 and 9 years are victims - in separate incidents - of sexual violence by a group of Navy Officers. The complaint was made ​​yesterday by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). Both attacks took place in the north of the country.

According to AHRC sources however, as soon as the news of the rapes began circulating in the area, the parents of the victims have received threats, and now say they live in fear.

In the case of 11 year old girl - the only one of whom there is still news - officers working at the naval base of Karainagar were involved. At first, the police arrested seven soldiers. However, when the victim was called to identify them, she was unable to and they were released on bail.

The AHRC believe the child failed to identify her attackers because of threats received by her family, who activists say now live in fear of their lives. Medical examinations confirmed that the girl was raped.

A crowd of  people demonstrated demanding concrete action on the part of the armed forces and the government, to bring the perpetrators to justice. However, the authorities appear to be ignoring the case.

In an official statement, the AHRC stated, "Sri Lanka today is one of the most backward and primitive places when looked at from the point of view of the possibilities of justice meted out through a functioning public justice system. Unfortunately, even an issue as important as this has not become a part of the public discourse in Sri Lanka. To be without the assistance of a public justice system is essentially akin to slavery. "(MMP)

 

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