The Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network, an IDC member, has issued this urgent statement calling for the Sri Lankan government to cease the arbitrary arrest and detention of refugees and asylum seekers.
Reports indicate that from 9 June 2014, a large number of persons of concern to UNHCR were arrested and detained in various detention facilities in Colombo, Boossa and Mirihana.
This follows a visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants who expressed his regret over Sri Lanka’s policy of mandatory administrative detention with no maximum time limits on detention and no alternatives to detention.