The Secretary General of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (The Peace Secretariat) has drawn the attention of the Co-Chairs on the Sri Lanka Peace Process to recent reports that the LTTE is in the process of recruiting one member from each family in areas under its control, for possible military purposes.

The letter also refers to attempts made to recruit persons working for NGO working in the North. The Secretary General's letter makes special reference
to recent reports of Norwegian Ambassador Brattskar's visit to Kilinochchi which record him as stating the LTTE is in the process of recruiting one member of each family.

The Secretary General states that such recruitment "is a gross violation of Article 2.1 of the Ceasefire, viz: 'The Parties shall in accordance with international law abstain from hostile acts against the civilian population,
including such acts as torture, intimidation, abduction, extortion and harassment.'"

Here is the text of the SCOPP Secretary General Prof Rajiva Wijesinha's letter of July 19, 2007to the

Co-Chairs:

Your Excellency,
 

I write with reference to recent reports of Ambassador Brattskar's visit to Kilinochchi, which record him as stating that the LTTE is in the process of recruiting one member of each family. This is probably to join its armed forces, though there may be other purposes, some perhaps even more sinister.  A copy on one report is attached.

Discussion with those who work in the area confirms that this is happening, or indeed has happened with regard to almost all families. Some attempt was made to save families which worked from NGOs from this fate, but it seems this was not successful, and then the intervention was on behalf of families which worked for International NGOs.

You will agree that what is reported as going on, including by the Ambassador of the Facilitator of the Peace Process, is a gross violation of Article 2.1 of the Ceasefire, viz 'The Parties shall in accordance with
international law abstain from hostile acts against the civilian population, including such acts as torture, intimidation, abduction, extortion and harassment.'

You will agree that what seem to be vain attempts to save families working for NGOs or INGOs, instead of categorical condemnation of such barbarous practices, are extremely unfair to the bulk of the citizens of the
area, and could be seen even as connivance in the intimidation and harassment that is taking place.

As you are aware, it is imperative, for the sake of the suffering people of the Wanni, that the international community makes clear that it has zero tolerance for such practices. I am urging you therefore to obtain
full reports from any agencies you have that are working in Kilinochchi on what is going on in this regard, and to denounce it roundly if the situation is as the Norwegian Ambassador is reported to have described. He may indeed be willing to share information in this regard with you.

I hope very much that, while doing all in your power to ensure adherence to human rights norms throughout the country, you make clear that forced recruitment of anyone is intolerable, and that the co-chairs and all
countries that are particularly concerned about such issues will stand foursquare against such practices.


Prof Rajiva Wijesinha
Secretary General
Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process