Archives

by Vimukthi Fernando

The release of 350 children by the LTTE since November 2001, is "encouraging" and a "positive outcome" in the demobilisation and reintegration of children used in armed conflict, said Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on yesterday. "No peace could be achieved unless cases of children are taken into account and people invest on their future generations. I call on the Government, LTTE, the Sri Lankan people and the international community to ensure that their peace building, specifically include children", she emphasised.

She was speaking to the media on the outcome of a three-day visit to the country, which focused on the need to build a protective environment for children with a special emphasis on child soldiers.

Child soldiers was the key issue, but not the only one during her visit, she said. Saying that it is encouraging to see the Prime Minister and the LTTE political head Tamilchelvan including children's and women's rights in the peace process, she emphasised "now is the time for action". According to UNICEF coordinated database, there remains 730 reported cases of child recruitment which are yet to be resolved.

On the question of allegations of ongoing child recruitments by the LTTE, Bellamy said during their discussions, it was revealed that it may happen since the intentions of the hierarchy to include children in the peace process is not filtered to the lower ranks. "We offered to support the communication process to take the message across. That, the position of the leaders would be understood by the ranks. We strongly urge them not to do any recruiting. No matter where in the ranks it is", she said.

Her meeting on Friday with Thamilchelvan, outlined a two level process to resolve child recruitment within LTTE. The LTTE agreed to meet with UNICEF again immediately after the Berlin talks, to set out concrete steps to implement their commitment to ensure no children are recruited in the armed forces and to release children who had earlier participated in armed combat, she said.

An action plan as agreed upon at the Oslo Peace Talks in December 2002, aimed at bringing normalcy to the lives of children affected by armed conflict will be developed early February by LTTE, UNICEF and key agencies.

Meanwhile, the LTTE proposed to establish transit centres for children, where children would have access to their parents and the families of any unaccompanied children could be traced. While UNICEF is prepared to support the centres, provided, they were in the best interest of the children.

It is only a temporary measure, she said.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security 
 Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager