Despite clear evidence of on-going torture in Sri Lanka, the Home Office is attempting to deport a former LTTE member to be tortured to death in the hands of the Sri Lankan forces who tortured him in the past.
Mr Gunesekaram Navarathnarasa (known as Shanker) is a former member of the LTTE and a victim of torture. He sustained serious injuries from fighting against the Sri Lankan army and from the torture he suffered in the hands of the Sri Lankan authorities.
He is also a leading Tamil activist known to many people in the UK. He had been involved in high profile meetings against the Sri Lankan Government and his photographs were published by the Media. He is also an artist who performed street dramas in public exposing the atrocities committed by the Sri Lankan army. His case has now been widely covered by media in UK and Sri Lanka so if he is deported back to Sri Lanka he faces detainment and torture.
Shanker’s brother had been recently abducted and tortured by the Sri Lankan authorities who were looking for Shanker. He had become permanently disabled as he was hit on his head during the horrendous torture. He managed to escape and came to the UK. He is now granted asylum and he had been cared by Shanker. Medical evidence suggests that they are exceptionally dependent on each other and separating him from his disabled brother would trigger both to end their life, as both are mentally fragile and suicidal.
Shanker is currently detained by the Home Office and facing removal to Sri Lanka. He is currently detained at HM Prison – The VERNE. As a result of the torture he suffered in the past, Shanker suffers from serious mental health issues and remain suicidal. He attempted to end his life and seriously harmed himself in the detention recently. Regardless of his deteriorating mental health, the Home Office refused to release him and continue to detain him without proper medical treatments. The Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Saleh Dhumad who assessed him has confirmed that he is not fit to be detained and his condition cannot be adequately treated in the detention.
Shanker’s life is no doubt at serious risk if he were removed to Sri Lanka, not only because of his previous involvement with the LTTE but also because of his high profile political activities against the Sri Lankan Government in the UK.
See these links for his brave activists in the UK;
http://tamilsforum.co.uk/2013/11/british-tamils-meet-labour-leader-ed-milliband-to-discuss-chogm-and-war-crimes-in-sri-lanka/
http://tamilsforum.co.uk/2015/01/uk-all-party-parliamentary-group-for-tamils-and-btf-host-annual-dinner-in-london/
We urge you to email Rt. Hon, Ed Miliband urging that he acts immediately and demand that Shanker is released. Rt. Hon, Ed Miliband has a personal responsibility as Shanker met him on behalf of the British Tamil Forum (BTF) and this news is available online and accessible to the Sri Lankan intelligence.
Please email to;
ed.miliband.mp@parliament.uk
Please also send messages to:
The Home Secretary, Theresa May, mayt@parliament.uk
The Home Office, complaints@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Send messages – as individuals, from your trade union, student union, community group, etc. – demanding that Mr Mr Gunasekaram Navaratnarasa to be released and not be deported to Sri Lanka, and calling for his right to asylum in Britain.
