Dear friends,
See below / attached a brief update about the disappearance of Mr. Pattani Razeek, a Sri Lankan HRD missing for more than 500 days – the arrest of chief suspect, after more than 500 days since the disappearance
Together with the family, we thank all those who contributed towards this arrest by appeals, publicity and various interventions
Although this is a significant development, much more needs to be done – questioning the chief suspect identified by the Police to uncover whereabouts of Razeek remains the main challenge and also questioning of Irshad, a associate of a Minister, who had claimed that Razeek was in custody of the Defense Ministry. These need to be done quickly and urgently, in order to find Razeek.
We look forward to your continued interventions and help to find where Razeek is.
Update on Disappearance of human rights defender Mr. Pattani Razeek
Arrest of chief suspect Nowshaadh, 11th July 2011
Shahabeen Noushadh, the main suspect in the disappearance of Human Rights Defender Mr. Pattani Razeek was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division on Friday July 8 in Killinochchi. The Puttalama police identified Shahabdeen Nowshaadh as the chief suspect in Mr. Razeek’s disappearance in June 2010, based on evidence that calls were made on Nowshaadh’s phone using Razeek’s sim card to Mr. Razeek’s family shortly after his disappearance. Nowshaadh has also admitted to being in Polonnaruwa and meeting Mr. Razeek on the day he disappeared.
June 25 marked 500 days since Mr. Razeeks’ disappearance. The arrest happened on the last day of a signature campaign by Mr. Razeek’s family, the Mosque Committee and local civil society groups, and public appeals for his arrest by Sri Lankan civil society activists and international human rights organizations.
As background, below are three recent statements / appeals by Sri Lankan civil society, FORUM-ASIA and OMCT-FIDH: