GENEVA (AFP) — The UN's top torture expert, Manfred Nowak, said on Tuesday that torture -- including beatings, asphyxiation and burning -- was becoming "routine" during counter-terrorism operations in Sri Lanka.
Nowak said in statement on his mission to the conflict-torn Indian Ocean island earlier this month that there was evidence that "torture is widely practiced in Sri Lanka."
The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture highlighted the "high number" of torture indictments filed by the Attorney General's office, the number of case rulings by the supreme court and "almost daily" complaints about torture to the National Human Rights Commission.
"Moreover, I observe that this practice is prone to become routine in the context of counter-terrorism operations, in particular by the TID (Terrorism Investigation Department)," Nowak added.
During visits to prisons and police stations between October 1 and 8, Nowak said he had heard numerous "consistent and credible" allegations from detainees who were tortured to extract confessions or information.
The methods listed by the UN rights expert included beating with various weapons, suspension in positions known as "butchery", "reversed butchery" and "parrot's perch", burning with metal objects and cigarettes, asphyxiation with plastic bags with chili pepper or gasoline, and various forms of genital torture.
"This array of torture finds its fullest manifestation at the TID detention facility in Boossa," Nowak said.
Nowak called for investigations into corporal punishment at Bogambara prison and torture allegations against the TID, as well as other measures to prevent torture and protect victims.
Intimidation of victims was commonly reported, and they were often escorted to subsequent magistrates hearings or medical examinations by their alleged torturers, he added.
The UN expert underlined that Sri Lanka already has many of the legal elements in place necessary to both prevent torture and combat impunity, and the government was reporting back on requests he made.
However, he criticised the lack of "independent and effective" prevention, including regular and unannounced visits to all places of detention throughout the country at any time, private interviews with detainees, and independent medical examinations.
"In the case of Sri Lanka, I am not satisfied that visits undertaken by existing mechanisms ... are presently fulfilling this role, or realizing this level of scrutiny," Nowak said.
He said he had focused mainly on the ordinary criminal justice system and emergency regulations, as he had been unable to examine the situation in conflict areas, or detention centres run by Tamil Tiger rebels.
The most serious allegations of violations, including those related to torture and ill-treatment, were allegedly committed by both government and rebel forces, he added.
Sri Lanka earlier this month rejected demands for international monitoring of human rights in the country, after UN human rights chief Louise Arbour warned of a "disturbing" lack of investigation into reports of killings and abductions.
Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe told the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights that Sri Lanka would not agree to her call.
Arbour said authorities had dismissed allegations of human rights violations as propaganda by separatist Tamil Tiger rebels.
Violence has surged on the island since a Norwegian-arranged truce began unravelling in December 2005.
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