Asian drug trade

Criticism of major drug operation in Sri Lanka: "Stigmas"  

The UN and about 30 organizations, among them the human rights group Human Rights Watch, direct sharp criticism against the authorities in Sri Lanka. This after tens of thousands of people were arrested in an operation led by the police in the fight against drugs, writes The Independent.  

The groups believe that the arrests took place arbitrarily and that people were stripped in public and subjected to torture. 

"The effort is taking place at a time of already serious repression against people who use or are suspected of using drugs," write the organizations, which believe that the people are being stigmatized.  

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The police: Will work day and night for more arrests 

Almost 30,000 people have been arrested in Sri Lanka after the country launched an operation aimed at stopping the drug trade, reports The Independent. 

The arrests were made from December 17 until the first week of January, and the police this weekend stated a goal of reaching a further 40,000 arrests before the summer. Around 3,000 of those who have already been arrested are still in prison or being forcibly rehabilitated. 

According to a statement from the police, all stations must work around the clock next month to arrest roughly 42,000 suspects. The UN and around 30 organizations are critical and believe that the arrests are being made without grounds.