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| Sunday, 30 June 2002 |
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AI chief lauds Govt. and LTTE by Deepal Warnakulasuriya Amnesty International (AI) delegates appreciated and welcomed the positive commitment and cooperation from both the Government and the LTTE on the issues of human rights and the peace process after a two-week visit to Sri Lanka. The Head of the AI delegation Derek Evans briefing the media yesterday said that the ceasefire agreement had made a significant impact in reducing human rights abuses, reduction in killings, torture and abductions. However, he also said that human rights must be established as an integral part of the agenda and added "The move from conflict to normalcy requires the establishment of a clear and practical framework based on human rights". The delegation had travelled to the Vanni region and had met the members of the LTTE leadership including one of its stalwarts Thamilchelvan. They had sought an assurance from Thamilchelvan that an ongoing dialogue on human rights and commitment to access and transparency be kept going. He also said that the LTTE had promised not to recruit children under age18 for its forces. The discussions with the LTTE focused on the recruitment of child soldiers, executions, disappearances, arbitrary detention, the return of internally displaced people and the peace process. The Mission had also visited an LTTE-controlled prison and had made recommendations for improvements after discussions with inmates as well as LTTE officials. The AI head had also said that in Colombo they met President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and several other ministers. "The discussions were mainly targeted at impunity, the Prevention of Terrorism Act, torture and rape in custody and the peace process", Evans said. |
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