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Saturday, April 04, 2009 - 03.27 GMT |
Allow civilians to leave freely – UNSG tells
LTTE
“LTTE’s
severe restrictions on freedom violate
international law” |
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The Secretary-General of the United Nations
Ban Ki-moon has expressed his deep distress
by continuing reports of civilians being
kept at extreme risk, against their will and
with heavy casualties in a very small area
by the LTTE, and calls on the LTTE
leadership to allow civilians to leave the
conflict area of their own free will.
He deplores the forced recruitment of
civilians, particularly children, stating
the severe restrictions of the LTTE on their
freedom of movement violate international
law.
The statement by the Secretary-General
issued in New York, April 3, follows the
representations to members of the UN
Security Council by Sri Lanka last week of
the actual conditions in the conflict zone
in the Vanni, detailing how the LTTE holds
civilian as human shield hostages in the
small area it still holds, and the regular
attacks on those fleeing to the Safe Zone on
Government held area.
Members of the Security Council also heard
statements by key UN personnel, including
the Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian
Affairs Sir John Holmes, on the improved
conditions in the safe zones, and of how
civilians come to these zones braving
killings and other threats by the LTTE to
those who flee its hold.
Following is the statement by the
Spokesperson for the Secretary on the
situation in Sri Lanka issued in New York,
April 3, 2009.
The Secretary-General is deeply distressed
by continuing reports from the Vanni region
of Sri Lanka that civilians are at extreme
risk, with heavy casualties, and that the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are
keeping civilians in a very small area of
active conflict against their will. While
some have been able to leave or escape,
reliable reports indicate that the LTTE have
prevented others from leaving, including by
firing at them.
The Secretary-General calls upon the LTTE
leadership to allow civilians to leave the
conflict area of their own free will. The
severe restrictions of the LTTE on their
freedom of movement violate international
law. The Secretary-General also deplores the
forced recruitment of civilians,
particularly children.
At the same time, the Secretary-General
again reminds the Government of Sri Lanka of
its responsibility to protect civilians, and
to avoid the use of heavy weapons in areas
where there are civilians, as promised. The
Government should receive and treat
displaced persons in accordance with
international law, and work closely with the
United Nations in meeting the protection and
physical needs of displaced persons.
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