Sri Lanka: A Rare AP Look at Civilian Life
(Moratuwa 2006: A Sri Lankan child orphaned by the war.)
It's rare that the plight of civilians in Sri Lanka— especially those of the minority Tamil community— gets much attention in the mainstream American press. Here AP looks at the erosion of democratic and human rights in the face of increasd security.It was 5 a.m. on a Wednesday when police started knocking on doors. They searched hundreds of homes, then forced thousands of men, women and children to get dressed and walk through the narrow streets lined with soldiers to a nearby sports field. Over the next six hours, authorities questioned, photographed and videotaped the neighborhood's inhabitants. Still, few of those rounded up expressed surprise at the intrusion. Members of Sri Lanka's minority Tamil community say police raids, harassment, arbitrary detentions and even abductions have become routine in recent years...
Comments