The fear, unfortunately justified, of reprisals against their family has meant that his submission can not be made. This lack of confidence that the people that we are supposed to be defending have in the single most important international body with responsibility for the protection and promotion of human rights, speaks volumes. Safeguards in the law are being circumscribed and members of the security forces continued to torture and mistreat detainees and other prisoners, both male and female, particularly during interrogation. A large number of Tamils are still held in prisons for several years without trial. A detainee in Kalutara prison says that despite assurances of a number of politicians, no action has been taken to look into their plight.
Many detainees allege torture in custody.
It was against this framework of systematic torture and prolonged detention without trial that over 100 Tamil prisoners in Kalutara began a fast on 28 November 1996 demanding trials or release. Over 100 Tamil prisoners in Kalutara began a fast on 28 November demanding trials or release. Following a fast protest by detainees in June, the Defence Ministry promised to solve the issue within three months. Prisoners bitterly complain that the Ministry has failed to take any action. Human rights agencies are concerned about illegal detentions.