Books

Demoralization and Hope

CREATING THE SOCIAL FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINING DEMOCRACY A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE IDEAS OF N. F. S. GRUNDTVIG (1783 -1872) DENMARK and B. R. AMBEDKAR (1881-1956) INDIA by W. J. Basil Fernando Published in August 2000 by the Asian Human Rights Commission, 133 pages, ISBN - 962-8314-08-4

Problems facing the Cambodian Legal System
Seminar on Cambodian Judiciary

This new book which is published in July 1998, examines the nature of the Cambodian legal system. Problems Facing the Cambodian Legal System, by Basil Fernando, 157 pages, argues that the socialist system of justice still exists in Cambodia despite many attempts to reform. The book includes a foreword by Justice Michael Kirby, former Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Human Rights in Cambodia, and a message from Dato' Param Cumaraswamy, U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers. Published in July 1998 by the Asian Human Rights Commission, 160 pages, ISBN - 962-8314-03-3

Modernization vs Militarization: Ethnic Conflict & Labour in Sri Lanka

J. Basil Fernando Asia Monitor Resource Center, Hong Kong 1991 This book is dedicated to all those who have struggled to create the awareness that accountability for the life of every citizen is the foundation of any decent society Published in 1991 by Asia Monitor Resource Centre Ltd., 101 pages, ISBN 962-7145-13-X, ISSN 0258-0268

Asian Refugees -- A Search for Solutions
A study based on the experiences of Burmese and Sri Lankan refugees published by the International Affairs Desk of Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) in 1991; Edited by Jack Clancey.

The Inability to Prosecute
Essays on courts and human rights in Cambodia and Sri Lanka by J. Basil Fernando published by the Future Asia Link, Hong Kong, 1993.

POWER vs CONSCIENCE

POWER vs. CONSCIENCE studies the introduction and development of Vatican II teachings in Sri Lanka and the division of the Catholic Church that has occurred as a result. It deals with the work of Bishop Leo Nanayakkara, Fr. Michael Rodrigo and Fr. Tissa Balasuriya and compares their thinking with the teachings now promoted by a few bishops in the country, particularly Bishop Malcolm Ranjith, who categorically states the "He [Jesus] was not bothered about social oppression, injustice and the like [that were] strongly visible in His own times." The book further studies religious power from the point of view of human rights and democracy. Published in May, 1997, by the Asian Human Rights Commission, 142 pages, ISBN - 962-8161-04-0

Sri Lanka's Dysfunctional Criminal Justice System

Sri Lanka's Dysfunctional Criminal Justice System is set in the milieu of a dysfunctional legal system, in a failing, if not already failed state. It contains four articles written by Kishali Pinto Jayawardena and Basil Fernando. The focus of this book is Sri Lanka and its appalling legal system. These articles attempt to portray the picture of contemporary Sri Lanka from the stand points of the activist, the academic and the citizen. Published in October 2007 by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), 80 pages, ISBN-13: 978-962-8314-33-1 Click here to download the PDF version of this book.

The Phantom Limb
Failing Judicial Systems, Torture and Human Rights Work in Sri Lanka

A Study of Police Torture in Sri Lanka published jointly by Morten Koch Andersen and Basil Fernando | The Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims (RCT) (Denmark)and the Asian Human Rights Commission (Hong Kong) Published in 2009, ISBN 978-962-8314-47-8

Sri Lanka-Impunity, Criminal Justice & Human Rights
Despite the success achieved by the international community regarding the promotion of international human rights norms and standards in countries other than developed democracies, it would be an illusion to believe that these principles are actually applied in daily life.

In their pursuit of justice, Sri Lankans will learn the difficulties they face come from their dysfunctional criminal justice system. Building a narrative on these difficulties is therefore an essential component of seeking redress for rights violations. These narratives describe not only the difficulties and suffering faced by individuals, but also the nature of various public institutions and the problems within them. This book makes an attempt to understand the obstacles to the realization of human rights norms in Sri Lanka, relating to the constitution, criminal justice system or local traditions. The ideas discussed in the book are the result of practical interventions by way of litigation, providing assistance to victims, and through debates conducted on these issues over a considerable time. Published in 2010, ISBN 978-962-8314-48-5