HR group urges LTTE to allow civilians into cleared areas

COLOMBO: The Intellectuals for Human Rights in a statement yesterday urged the LTTE to immediately stop forcible use of innocent civilians as a shield in its war activities since they believe that the LTTE is bent on keeping the innocent civilians in the Wanni against their will when the Government is requesting these people who have become refugees in Wanni to settle in the cleared areas.

In a press release yesterday, Intellectuals for Human Rights vehemently condemned LTTE efforts to use civilians as a shield in its war activities.

The release said: “Intellectuals for Human Rights (IHR) regrets to bring to the notice of the authorities about the thousands of people who have become refugees; and to the health, economical and security issues they are facing due to the current war situation.

Innocent civilians in Mannar, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts have become displaced in their own land.

In one hand the Government requests people who have become refugees, to settle in cleared areas and on the other hand the LTTE puts their efforts to keep these people in the same areas.

IHR believes that this act of LTTE is to use these innocent people as a human guard to be protected. IHR vehemently condemns it.

sing children, women and the elderly in a conflict has been identified as a violation of human rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Law by the UN.IHR urges the LTTE to immediately stop forceful use of innocent people as a guard to protect their selves in war activities.

We also insist the LTTE to respect the rights of the people to settle, move or to choose a safer place to live as per their wish; to stop torturing and inhuman activities against the affected innocent people who are willing to be free from the conflict areas.

IHR requests the Government to take proper estimates on the people who are displaced and now refugees due to the conflict.

The Government needs to be involved in solving issues related to food, housing, and health of these people. If the Government does not take immediate measures to address these issues; these people’s lives would be more miserable due to the monsoon rains which will start in the near future.

We again emphasise to the Government that providing water, food and health facilities and protection to the refugees according to internationally accepted standards is a main responsibility of a Government.

A specific place which has available space to accommodate the refugees is a must and obstacles preventing people from accessing these places should be removed by the Government. The Government should ensure supply of all required facilities to these people including water, food and protection.”