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"To us
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Amnesty International documents several cases of rape by Sri Lanka security forces
"Amnesty International has documented several cases of rape by members of the security forces. Because many women are reluctant to give testimony about their treatment by the security forces, Amnesty International believes that these testimonies represent only a fraction of a widespread pattern of human rights violations.
In those cases reported to Amnesty International, the authorities took some initial action against the alleged perpetrators. However, the organization does not know of any member of the security forces who has been brought to justice on charges of rape.
In January 1995, three women were reportedly raped by soldiers at Poomachcholai and Kayankaddu, Batticaloa district, in reprisal for an attack by the LTTE on the nearby army camp at Thandavanveli.
In August 1995 Lakshmi Pillai was raped at her home in Trincomalee by two army informants in front of her two sons. The motive may have been revenge as she had spoken out about being raped before at Plantain Point army camp in August 1993. The informants were arrested but later released on bail pending trial.
On 7 March 1996, a 45-year-old woman was raped by soldiers at Thiyavedduwan checkpoint. Her husband was beaten with rifle butts. Both were admitted to Valaichchenai hospital. Following a complaint by several people of Thiyavedduwan at Valaichchenai army camp, an identification parade was held and the soldiers were identified and taken into custody by the military police. It is not known whether any further action has been taken against them." (Amnesty International Report, September 1996)
"Allegations of ill-treatment of women and extra-judicial executions are also being made against the security forces. Reports say that three women were raped by soldiers at their home in Manthuvil on 1 August." (British Refugee Council Publication, Sri Lanka Monitor, August 1996)
"Vanni MP S Shanmugnathan says a number of women at the Poonthottam school camp have been sexually abused by the police. A woman who was raped has been admitted to the Vavuniya hospital. Pregnant women have been denied access to the hospital and one woman has died in labour" (British Refugee Council Publication, Sri Lanka Monitor, November 1996)
"A young Tamil woman detained along with thousands of other Tamils in Vavuniya has died after being violently gang-raped by eight Sinhala soldiers guarding the camp. Doctors at Vavuniya hospital say she arrived in a traumatised state and passed away while she was being admitted. Such instances of assault have been rising alarmingly especially on young women who are powerless in the face of armed Sinhala soldiers answerable to no one. The unfortunate victim in this case was one of the 13,000 Tamil travellers forcibly stopped by the army from going to other parts of the island and now imprisoned in un-hygenic detention camps in Vavuniya. - (Tamilnet News Report,22 November 1996)
