“Release child soldiers immediately”-UNICEF tells LTTE

[October 08, 2003 - 8.30 GMT]

The UNICEF yesterday called for the immediate release of more than 20 children abducted by the LTTE in Valachchenai.

“The time for child soldiers in Sri Lanka is now over and the UNICEF had called on the LTTE to immediately release these children from Valachchenai,” UNICEF country representative Ted Chaiban said in a statement. 

Chaiban says the recruitment of even one child was a serious violation of children’s rights. 

“This continued recruitment of children is completely unacceptable and this type of action undermines the work and commitment of the LTTE towards making the Action Plan for Children Affected by War a success,” he said. 

 “We need to see an end to child soldiers in Sri Lanka and realise the full potential and bright future of children affected by war,” UNICEF representative said.

UNICEF release:

Recent recruitment of child soldiers in Valachchenai is ‘completely unacceptable’, says UNICEF 

UNICEF verified a number of cases of child recruitment by the LTTE in Valachchenai. Ted Chaiban, representative for the UN agency stated, “UNICEF teams on the ground are working to verify the exact numbers of children recruited, but the numbers are not the issue- the recruitment of just one child is a serious violation of children’s rights. This continued recruitment of children is completely unacceptable and this type of action undermines the work and commitment of the LTTE towards making the Action Plan for Children Affected by War a success.” 

UNICEF has consistently called for an end to child recruitment, most recently at the opening of the first transit centre for release child soldiers in Kilinochchi on Friday 3 October 2003. In his speech at the event, Ted Chaiban again emphasised that “UNICEF is still receiving cases of child recruitment in all districts of the North East and it has to be understood that if the reintegration of child soldiers is to be successful then new recruitment has to stop.” 

“UNICEF has repeatedly stated that for the implementation of the Action Plan to be a success, we need to see and end to child soldiers in Sri Lanka and realise the full potential and bright future of children affected by war”, Chaiban continued. “The time for child soldiers in Sri Lanka is now over and UNICEF has called on the LTTE to immediately release these children from Valachchenai.”

PRINT THIS STORY

Contact Information: Send mail to gosl@presidentsl.org with questions or comments about this web site. 
Last Updated Date: October 08, 2003  -8.30 GMT.