News
Urgent request to relocate Lankan asylum seekers from Diego Garcia amid escalating crisis
(JusticeGap) Facing an urgent and escalating threat of harm to migrant children detained on Diego Garcia, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy requested their relocation to the UK on July 16th, as reported in the Solicitors Journal. This request to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper follows a warning from the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Commissioner, who reported severe living conditions and recent suicide attempts among the detainees.
According to Foreign Secretary Lammy’s appeal, relocating 39 asylum seekers, including 16 children, to Sri Lanka is not possible due to ongoing international protection claims. These individuals are still awaiting asylum or refugee status, and their relocation would breach international law.
The situation for over 60 Sri Lankan asylum seekers, including 16 children detained for more than 1000 days, has become increasingly dire. The BIOT Commissioner highlighted the inadequate living conditions on the island, significantly impacting the detainees’ mental health. Legal representatives have called for immediate government intervention to relocate this vulnerable group to safety.
During a court hearing on Tuesday, Justice Obi reviewed submissions detailing the crisis within the detention compound. The court was informed that the BIOT Commissioner acknowledged the inability to meet the needs of the detained children, further complicating the situation.
Justice Obi has ordered the judicial review hearing to be reconvened on Diego Garcia in September. The Foreign Secretary’s request to relocate the asylum seekers to the UK underscores the urgency of the situation to prevent further harm and ensure the safety and well-being of the detainees.
Tom Short, a solicitor from the legal firm Leigh Day representing some of the claimants, noted the severity of the situation, citing significant concerns regarding the treatment of the asylum seekers. .
‘In the face of multiple suicide attempts and grave offences against children, it is incumbent on the UK Government to take decisive action to ensure our clients are relocated immediately,’ he said.
Tom Short called for immediate government action and a timely, effective resolution to the prolonged detention of the asylum seekers.
‘For years our clients?have been deprived of the most modest of freedoms and the most basic of amenities all at great cost to the UK taxpayer and it is imperative that this desperate situation is brought to an end without any further delay,’ Tom Short said.
Victor Ivan, former editor of the Raavaya newspaper has passed away . He was 75 at the time of his demise.
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Landslide early warnings issued to the district of Badulla , Kandy , Kurunegala and Matale
The National Building Research Organization [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala and Matale at 0800 hrs today valid until 0800hrs on Monday 20th January 2025.
Accordingly,
Level II [Amber] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy district and Rattota, Yatawatta, Ukuwela and Wilgamuwa in the Matale district.
Level I [Yellow] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Badulla, Passara and Hali Ela in the Badulla district, Meda Dumbara, Phatha Dumbara and Doluwa in the Kandy district and Laggala Pallegama, Ambanganga Korale, Pallepola, Naula and Matale in the Matale district
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It is the Government’s intention to provide justice to the grieving people – Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that it is the Government’s intention to provide justice to the people who are deprived of the same due to rewards and sponsorships.
The Premier made this statement at the occasion of handing over the renovated Court of Appeal building to the public on Saturday (18). The renovations was a donation from the People’s Republic of China.
Further she mentioned that the investment made in a country’s judicial system and in the provision of facilities for the delivery of justice to the people is a reflection of the commitment made towards the country and its people. “This is not just a building, but a symbol of the delivery of justice, fairness of law, equality and dignity. Our country has suffered for decades because many were denied justice under systems of rewards and sponsorships. Our intention is to resolve those deficiencies, bring forth fairness and ensure that everyone has access to justice”, she added.
“The people must be able to keep trust and rely on the judicial system by exemplifying that the legal powers granted to judges by the Constitution are exercised fairly and providing independent and fair judgment to the parties concerned. Everyone, including women, children and the disabled community, expects justice. Their aspiration is that such a system will ensure that no one faces hardships, an attention will be paid to their mental conditions, protection from the consequences they may face when seeking justice for them or defending their rights. All actors in this process must be treated with respect. There are people who have faced hardships for years in the pursuit of justice. We ensure that they are treated fairly. They should not be subjected to intimidation, harassment or threat in the pursuit of justice”, the Premier highlighted.
The Prime Minister further expressed her gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for their generosity and support.
A group of invitees including the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, Chief Justice Murdu Fernando and many others participated in this event.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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