Colombo, January 31, 2025 – The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has issued a detailed report on the status of 116 Rohingya asylum seekers detained at the Mullaitivu Air Force Camp, calling for immediate action to ensure their well-being and rights under international human rights standards.
According to the HRCSL, the group, which includes 57 children, arrived off the coast of Mullivaikkal, Mullaitivu, on December 19, 2024, after a perilous journey from Myanmar. Local fishermen provided humanitarian assistance before the Sri Lanka Navy escorted the asylum seekers to Trincomalee. Survivors were later detained at the Mullaitivu Air Force Camp, while 12 individuals alleged to have facilitated the journey were remanded at Trincomalee Prison.
The HRCSL, which is legally mandated to monitor detention conditions, visited the camp on January 9, 2025. The report highlights concerns over inadequate access to aid, healthcare, and security, especially for women and children. Among the detained are vulnerable individuals, including a nine-month-pregnant woman, a breastfeeding mother, and a man with disabilities.
Key Findings and Concerns
The HRCSL report outlines multiple human rights concerns:
- Detention Conditions: The asylum seekers are housed in separate dormitories for men and women, with children under 12 staying with their mothers. Limited resources have led to inadequate sanitation and nutrition, particularly affecting young children.
- Healthcare Access: While medical teams have conducted screenings, the lack of female healthcare staff and limited emergency response measures remain concerns.
- Security and Human Rights Defenders: The HRCSL received complaints of law enforcement officials harassing human rights defenders (HRDs) advocating for Rohingya asylum seekers, which the Commission strongly condemned.
HRCSL’s Recommendations
The HRCSL has made several recommendations to the Sri Lankan government and relevant authorities, including:
- Immediate Appointment of a Focal Point – To facilitate the provision of essential aid such as clothing, sanitaryware, and nutrition for children.
- Access to UNHCR and Child Welfare Experts – Ensuring that asylum seekers are properly vetted and their rights protected.
- Protection for Female Asylum Seekers – Deployment of trained women police officers and improved sanitary facilities.
- Transfer to a More Suitable Facility – The HRCSL stressed that an air force camp is not an appropriate location for housing asylum seekers.
- Respect for Human Rights Defenders – Authorities should refrain from harassing individuals advocating for the rights of Rohingya refugees.
- Ratification of Key Refugee Conventions – Sri Lanka should ratify international treaties protecting the rights of refugees and stateless persons.
Legal and Humanitarian Obligations
The HRCSL emphasized Sri Lanka’s obligations under international human rights law, including the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the deportation of individuals to countries where they may face persecution. The Commission urged the government to ensure compliance with domestic laws that protect asylum seekers and to consider long-term solutions, including the formal recognition of refugee rights within Sri Lanka’s legal framework.
Government Response Awaited
The HRCSL has called on the government to take urgent steps to implement its recommendations. Meanwhile, human rights organizations and civil society groups continue to raise concerns over the treatment of Rohingya asylum seekers and Sri Lanka’s broader refugee policies.