Stop the Humanitarian Crisis in Sri Lanka

That a humanitarian crisis continues in Sri Lanka. There are more than 250,000 displaced people, including approximately 80,000 children, who need relief but also protection from abuses in Sri Lanka.

That three doctors who were employed by the Sri Lankan government have disappeared since May 15 and may be currently held at the Terrorist Investigation Division in Columbo for providing reports on civilian casualties and bombings by the Sri Lankan government to western media and humanitarian groups.

That the government of Sri Lanka must ensure that it fully respects international law, including all provisions relating to protecting civilians from the effects of hostilities.

THEREFORE, we the undersigned DOCTORS AND OTHER MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS request that the United Nations, the government of Canada and world leaders work together to:

1. Ensure the immediate safety and fair treatment of thousands of internally displaced persons;

2. Demand the immediate release of Dr. Thangamutha Sathiyamoorthy, Dr. Thurairaja Varatharajah, and Dr. V Shanmugarajah to the United Nations;

3. Demand the Sri Lankan government allows the United Nations and other international humanitarian agencies immediate and full access to internally displaced persons to monitor the situation and provide a safeguard against human rights violations, including torture or other ill-treatment, arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances;

4. Demand the Sri Lankan government hand over jurisdiction for the displaced persons camps to the United Nations High Commission and allow displaced persons to return to their homes;

5. Demand the Sri Lankan government begin a process for a long-term political solution that responds to the legitimate aspirations of all the people of Sri Lanka; and

6. Begin the process of establishing the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) if any of these conditions are not met.

The Canadian Medical Dental Development Association fears for the safety of the three doctors and we request your assistance to advocate for immediate assurances of their safety and their immediate release to the United Nations. Further advocacy action can be found at http://www.amnesty.ca/urgentaction/