Mercy for money: Torture’s link to profit in Sri Lanka, a retrospective review

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this retrospective
study is to describe the pattern of
bribe taking in exchange for release from
torture, during and after the decades-long
war in Sri Lanka. Methods: We reviewed
the charts of 98 refugee claimants from Sri
Lanka referred to the Canadian Centre for
Victims of Torture for medical assessments
prior to their refugee hearings in Torontobetween 1989 and 2013. We tallied the
number of incidents in which claimants
described paying cash or jewelry to end
torture, and collected other associated data
such as demographics, organizations of the
perpetrators, locations, and, if available,
amounts paid. We included torture perpetrated
by both governmental and nongovernmental
militant groups. Collected data was
coded and evaluated. Findings: We found
that 78 of the 95 subjects (82.1%) whose
reported ordeals met the United Nations
Convention Against Torture/International
Criminal Court definitions of torture
described paying to end torture at least once.
43 subjects paid to end torture more than
once. Multiple groups (governmental and
non-governmental) practiced torture and
extorted money by doing so. A middleman
was described in 32 percent of the incidents.
Payment amounts as reported were high
compared to average Sri Lankan annual
incomes. The practice of torture and related
monetary extortion was still reported after
the end of the war, inclusive of 2013.
Interpretation: Torture in Sri Lanka is
unlikely to end while profit motives remain
unchallenged. As well as health injuries,
victims of torture and their families suffer
significant economic injuries while their
assailants are enriched. The frequent link
between torture and impunity means
multiple populations the world over are
vulnerable to this abuse.