Free imprisoned Lankan doctors: Medha Patkar

CHENNAI: Social activist Medha Patkar requested the international community to put pressure on the Sri Lankan government to release the three detained doctors, who were working in the Vanni area.

Speaking at a press conference here on Monday, she pressed for the release of Dr Sathyamurthy, Dr Varadarajan and Dr Shanmughanathan, who have been detained by the Lankan army and added that they were detained for only offering medical services to the people. She drew parallel to their situation to the just-released Binayak Sen and explained the abysmal human rights situation existing in conflict areas.

It is believed the three doctors may be held in reprisal for providing information about the civilians in the conflict zone. The doctors provided eyewitness reports to the media and international community from hospitals and makeshift medical centers in the conflict zone.

Patkar said that though the war was at an apparent end, over three lakh people detained at the various refugee camps were still struggling for survival. “I am shocked to see the UN not being able to play its role in Iraq or in Sri Lanka and allowing violence against innocent civilians, including children,” she said.

An important point raised by her was the dismal response to conflicts from the people living in other parts of the country. “Despite India’s role in the conflict in Sri Lanka and reports on the number of civilians being killed or wounded, people living in other parts of the country did not voice their protests,” she said