Complaints of child recruitment and abductions continue 
[January 21, 2003 - 11.00 GMT]

The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) still receives complaints of child recruitment and abductions even though the Ceasefire Agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE completes one year of operation.

Says SLMM Press and Information Officer, Teitur Torkelsson, “Fewer violations have been ruled in this month. This is an encouraging development, but we still are receiving complaints of for example, child recruitment and abductions, especially on the east coast. Even though the development is on the right track, we would surely like it to go faster.”

The SLMM receives complaints from various sources and after inquiring into the matter, rules the cases as violations or non-violations.

Despite the ceasefire there have been serious violations of the agreement according to complaints received by the SLMM. The main violation is child conscription, with abduction of adults and harassment taking second and third place respectively.

Torkelsson said that the SLMM is aware the complaints they receive are only a part of what is going on in the districts in the North and East. “Some people do not know the SLMM exists, some have difficulties accessing us and others do not know that they can complain to us. Others might be afraid of complaining as they have been threatened not to complain to the SLMM.”

The Government and the LTTE have been observing a ceasefire from February 23, 2002. The organization is banned as a terrorist group by the United States, Britain and Canada. However, peace talks between the Government and the LTTE began after the Sri Lanka government lifted its ban on the LTTE.

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Last Updated Date: January 21, 2003  - 11.00 GMT.