Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers in the UK may be at risk of torture if returned to Sri Lanka, according to a landmark ruling by a British tribunal.
Timeline of events under "Human rights" issue
Civil rights groups accuse Sri Lanka's Jaffna Military commander of instructing the NGOs and civil society representatives not to refer to human rights issues and to "restrict themselves to issues of humanitarian assistance" before meeting the United Nations Under Secretary General, Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes.
The International Commission of Jurists state that the investigation by the Government into the killing of the 17 ACF workers was seriously flawed, accusing the Government of a lack of impartiality, transparency and effectiveness in its investigation.
The Special Presidential Commission on Disappearances reports that some 430 Sri Lankan civilians, mostly minority Tamils, were killed between 14 September 2006 and 25 February 2007.
The government attacks the IIGEP of "exceeding its mandate". International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) alleges that evidence from the case of 17 murdered aid workers may have been tampered with, calling on the government to launch a new investigation into the killings.
An ex-squadron leader is arrested, suspected of being the ‘kingpin’ of a gang that has been abducting Tamil and Muslim businessmen for ransoms. Media reports state that about 70 Tamils have been abducted over the past year. Recently, about 50 Muslim businessmen were abducted.
The Sri Lankan police expel more than 400 Tamils from Colombo to the North, arguing that the order is part of security controls. The raids are condemned internationally. The Supreme Court later orders the expulsions to stop following a human rights petition.
The International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP), the overseer of the President’s Commission of Inquiry (COI) to Investigate and Inquire into "alleged serious violations of human rights", submits its first Interim Report to the president.
Britain announces a freeze on aid to Sri Lanka of about US$3 million that it had earlier pledged to help Sri Lanka pay its debts to the World Bank, citing concerns over deteriorating human rights.
Sri Lanka's police chief General Victor Perera admits in a press conference that Sri Lankan security forces have been implicated in abductions, extortions and killings of civilians, and that a "large number" of police officers and troops have been arrested.
Sri Lankan Development Forum: key donors review international aid and maintain that a power-sharing deal with the LTTE is crucial for further assistance.
The United Nations asks both the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE to cease hostilities and resume peace talks, following the aerial bombing on 2 January.
Allan Rock, the U.N. special representative for children and armed conflict on Sri Lanka, announces that a section of the Government forces has been actively aiding and abetting the Karuna faction in recruiting child soldiers to fight the LTTE.
A Presidential Commission of Inquiry (COI) is appointed to investigate alleged human rights violations.
The Supreme Court delivers its judgement in connection with the the revision/review application filed by Nallaratnam Singarasa, dismissing it on the grounds that it was misconceived and without legal basis.
