For over 20 years now, the Legal Aid and Human Rights Research unit has been working on human rights issues and legal assistance for poor litigants. Our activities are varied and cut across human rights issues from education and awareness programs to publications and legal action.

To date, we have brought together a handbook on children and women's rights, a Human Rights manual published in both Sinhalese and Tamil and compiled two volumes of cases filed under Article 11 of the Sri Lankan Constitution.

In December 2004 we trained 50 Judicial Medical Officers and 25 Human Rights lawyers on the Istanbul Protocol, which sets standards for the effective investigation and documentation of torture.

Up to 2002 the Legal Aid and Human Rights Research Unit filed over one hundred cases to the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka on behalf of former political detainees. We also provide free legal consultations and network with like-minded organisations.

In July 2005 we started a new project, the Establishment of a Network to protect and promote Human Rights in North and East Sri Lanka.

A Programme for Police officers

After the agreement that was signed between Caritas Sri Lanka and the police Department to organise and conduct  training programme on the “Prevention of Torture through Education : A Programme for Police officers”  a currciculum was developed thereafter, for the programme.

A core group composed of 15 members consisting of professionals from the medical, legal and psychological fields gathered for two sessions to formulate this curriculum. It consists of 4 modules, namely, The Introduction and the legal, physical and psychosocial aspects of torture.

The training programme will be made up of 16 two day workshops and 16 one day seminars to be implemented from 1st July 2008 to 31st December 2009.

Thereafter workshops will be held during the months of September and October 2008 on :-

Caritas Sri Lanka signs agreement on Police Training in preventing Torture

Caritas Sri Lanka SEDEC’s involvement in training programs against torture began in 2004 they were followed up with a series of workshops and training programs for doctors and lawyers. Since then several other programs have been held and on June 26th on the UN International Day in support of the victims of torture, a key event took place at Caritas Sri Lanka’s National Center.

Deputy Inspector General Lalith A Jayasinghe who is in charge of training and examinations signed the terms of reference between Caritas Sri Lanka and the police Department on how to organize awareness programs for Police officers.

The DIG says that this course will change the attitude and the mentality of the police officers through education. He also thanked Caritas for the sense of social responsibility the organization is showing towards all people.

The “Prevention of Torture through Education : Program for Police officers”  project will be made up of 16 two day workshops and 16 one day seminars to be implemented from 1st July 2008 to 31st December 2009.

In order to implement this program, a core group composed of 15 members will be formed with professionals from the medical, legal and psychological fields.

800 Police Constables and Sergeants, 300 new recruited Police Officers, 400 officers in charge and 80 Sub Inspectors will benefit from this programme.
This project will play a significant role in increasing awareness among the police force on the negative effects of torture in all areas of our society.