Accessing Justice: Local Women Win Release of Imprisoned Men

Earlier this year, we told you the story of a group of trailblazing Sri Lankan women who advocated for the release from prison of two young men from their community.  The men had been arrested without charge in May 2009.  Since then, these brave women have used their newfound knowledge of unarmed civilian peacekeeping to fight for justice — and win.

According to community members, the men were arrested while returning from a day’s fishing to catch food for their families.  During their imprisonment, neither the men nor their families saw any hope of release — until an unprecedented intervention led by women.

In consultation with the families of the two men, the women — along with fellow team members trained by Nonviolent Peaceforce in unarmed civilian peacekeeping — reported the case to the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission (HRC).  The team also produced a letter detailing the incident. The district-level HRC contacted the national-level authorities, requesting action be taken immediately.  As a result, on June 21, 2010, the two men were released on bail.  Today, they are back with their families and back in their community, getting on with the business of living life.   

“Before Nonviolent Peaceforce trained us, we did not know of the structures in place to assist us, let alone how to access them.  We did not know how to respond when a security concern arose.  We did not know who to talk to.  Many things happened, and we just kept silent.  Now, with all of the training and support from Nonviolent Peaceforce, we feel confident to take action.”                                           

                                                                                    Local unarmed civilian peacekeeper training participant

“Thank you, Nonviolent Peaceforce.  It was the training that motivated us, and has now led to their release.” 

Member of local community

Encouraged and empowered by their success at gaining the two men’s release from prison, the team trained in unarmed civilian peacekeeping by Nonviolent Peaceforce is meeting with other authorities in the district to build stronger relationships and find ways to address other security issues facing their community.