Promotion of human rights and the well being of the people deprived of their liberty
International project in Sri Lanka
Country: Sri Lanka
Contact person: Erik Wendt
Partner: Janasansadaya (JS) is an organization located
in the south of Sri Lanka, which is working to eradicate torture
and promote the respect for human rights in Sri Lanka.
Janasansadaya works through advocacy and aims at raising awareness
of human rights and the prevention of torture. The organization
generates knowledge and helps the learning process of activists.
The organization has built linkages to prison and police
authorities to advocate for change.
Project: The project aims to strengthen the
interaction between civil society and the government to increase
the knowledge and awareness of the obligations of state authorities
under UNCAT (United Nations Convention Against Torture) and by
advocating for the ratification and implementation of OPCAT
(Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other
Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment). The
beneficiaries are people deprived of their liberty, especially
torture victims
Main activities of the RCT and the Janasansadaya partnership in
Sri Lanka:
- Strengthening the OPCAT National Network
- Mapping, identification and collection of information of
detention centers.
- Organizing view exchange meetings with selected target
groups.
- Conducting visits to detention centers
- Creating awareness and attitude change through a)
People's Hearing b) Seminars & Workshops c) building an
independent voice within civil society d) Handbills, street
movements, exhibitions e) Translation of relevant documentation
from English to Sinhala & Tamil
- Carrying out research and studies of detention centers. The
findings will be published in newsletters, annual reports and on
the website.
- Offering legal support in selected cases identified as part of
the visits to places of detention