Point Pedro lawyers protest against death threats, extortion

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 October 2007, 11:07 GMT]
Lawyers in Point Pedro began a token protest Wednesday afternoon, boycotting court sessions at Point Pedro divisional court, demanding protection against the death threats, intimidation and extortion by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) backed armed Tamil paramilitary groups. The boycott launched by Jaffna peninsula lawyers for the same reason in September was withdrawn on SLA Jaffna Commander's assurance that the menace will be eradicated, but the assurance is yet to be fulfilled, Vadamaraadchi Lawyers Association members said.

As the Point Pedro lawyers continued their boycott, Lawyers Associations of Chaavakacheari, Mallakam, Jaffna and Kayts judicial divisions have also announced that they will also start boycott supporting their Point Pedro colleagues.

Many attorneys-at-law in Point Pedro, including leading lawyers, are being continually threatened with death, intimidation through phone calls by the Tamil paramilitary men collaborating with SLA, an attorney-at-law who wishes to remain anonymous, said.

Besides doctors, high officials in the government, and intellectuals in Vadmaraadchi are also subjected to death threats and intimidation, the sources added.

Vadamaraadchi Lawyers Association said that the boycott will continue until they be allowed to function freely without being harassed by death threats and extortion.