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Amnesty calls for human rights dimension to peace process

by Ranil Wijayapala, Ranga Jayasuriya and Daniel Tripp

Amnesty International (AI) on Saturday urged the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to ensure that technical expertise on human rights is available at the formal talks in Bangkok.

"The Move from conflict to normality requires the establishment of a clear and practical framework based on human rights," AI former Deputy Secretary General and Head of the Delegation Derek Evans told a press conference in Colombo.

He said the delegation in its meetings with the Government and the LTTE called for a human rights monitoring committee to ensure human rights standards of the Interim Administration in the North and East.

"Amnesty International engaged both parties on issues of truth and reconciliation, accountability and human rights monitoring and the protection of vulnerable groups ," Evans said.

"Human rights should not be regarded as a threat to the talks, but an essential and integral component," he added.

The Human Rights Group welcomed "the positive engagement and cooperation" from both sides on issues of human rights and the peace process.

Amnesty International during its visit to Sri Lanka met both Government and LTTE representatives including the President, Prime Minister, various ministers, Attorney General, LTTE political wing leader Thamilchelvam and LTTE police and judicial officials .

"In its meetings with the LTTE, the delegation expressed serious concern on the recruitment of child soldiers, executions, disappearances, arbitrary detention and the return of internally displaced people," Evans said.

He said the delegation submitted to the LTTE a list comprising 26 names of boys aged between 13 to 16 forcibly recruited by the LTTE.

"Thamilchelvam promised us that there should not be any minors in the military units in future. He promised an investigation into the alleged cases and inform us of its outcome," he added.

The delegation visited a LTTE prison at "short notice" and recommended measures to improve the human rights standard of the detainees, Evans said.

"This is actually not a search and investigation visit, but a visit to establish serious human rights dialogue," he said adding that Thamilchelvam promised the AI "transparency" and free access in future.

The delegation met the President and prime Minister to discuss the issues such as impunity, the Prevention of terrorism Act, torture and rape in custody and the peace process.

Commenting on the four commissions on disappearances in 1989-90, Evans said the President promised to continue in police investigations into the cases and prosecute the perpetrators of atrocities.

Researcher on Sri Lanka at the AI Ingrid Massage said the Attorney General and Interior Minister promised that the 85% of cases of the Prevention of Terrorism Act detainees would be reviewed by the end of July. Attention of the delegation was also focused on women's rights and domestic violence.

The delegation urged both the Government and the LTTE to seriously consider the human rights components of the peace process.

Human rights in Sri Lanka have improved as a result of the ceasefire but the situation will remain vulnerable until the government and the LTTE take steps to guarantee a human rights framework for the peace process, Evans added.

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