AFAD Press Statement
28 October 2011
Attempts to Destroy Monument of the Disappeared,
A Grievous Offense Against Victims and Their Families
The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearance (AFAD) joins the Sri Lankan familiesof the disappeared victims in remembering their loved ones subjected to disappearances duringthe annual commemoration at theMonument for the Disappeared in Raddoluwa Junction inSeeduwa., Sri Lanka. This year is the 21
st
commemoration of the Monument. Between 1987 and 1991, disappearances in Sri Lanka had reached 30,000. These proportions and
the failure of the Sri Lankan government to address the alarming occurrence of disappearancesand prosecute perpetrators led to the construction of the Monument for the Disappeared in 1991.The Monument serves as a constant reminder of the atrocities committed by the Sri Lankangovernment against its own people. For a couple of decades, it has become the place for families to honor their disappeared loved ones – where they grieve, light candles, put flowers andoffer prayers. After more than two decades of annual commemorations, the Monumentcontinues to stand as a concrete reminder that the cases of disappearances must not be
forgotten. It constantly urges families of victims and the greater society to continue the searchfor the truth, to pursue justice and to prevent recurrence.With remembering the victims comes the recognition that disappearances exist and can becommitted against anyone. Recent threats of theRaddoluwa parish priest, Rev. Father PrasadPererato destroy the Monument for the Disappeared showed an alarming picture of themalicious actions to obliterate the memory of the victims. The proposed demolition of themonument is a manifestation of an evil intention to bury the truth and for the Sri Lankan publicand the rest of the world to disregard the existence of disappearances in the country.The attempt to destroy the concrete remembrance of the disappeared victims is a direct insult tothe victims and a grievous offense at that. It is an obvious disregard of the reality of theinjustice committed against them. It is an affront to the families’ continuing search for truth and justice for the stolen lives of their loved ones.On this occasion, the AFAD joins the Families of the Disappeared (FOD) and its partner organizations in their resistance against the proposed demolition.
ASIAN FEDERATION AGAINST INVOLUNTARY DISAPPEARANCES
Rms. 310-311 Philippine Social Science Center Building, Commonwealth Avenue,Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines 1103
Phone: 00-632-4907862 Telefax: 00-632-4546759 Mobile: 00-63-9177924058Email: afad@surfshop.net.ph website: www.afad-online.org
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