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| Sunday, 29 February 2004 |
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AI urges Tigers not to kill rivals COLOMBO, Feb 28 (AFP) - Amnesty International (AI) Saturday urged Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels not to kill opponents ahead of parliamentary elections in April and said widespread human rights abuses during the campaign was a major concern. The London-based human rights watchdog said it was worried that candidates who do not have the backing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) could become targets for assassination. The LTTE is not contesting the elections but nearly four years ahead of schedule, but announced that it would back a moderate group, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which is largely seen as a Tigers proxy. Diplomats and analysts say the TNA, which had 15 seats in the earlier Parliament, could bag a sizeable number out of the 31 seats in the Tamil-dominated northeast. "We are particularly concerned that candidates and supporters of (minority) Tamil political parties not allied to the TNA may become targets for assassination," Amnesty said in a statement. It also called for the freedom of movement for political activists in areas held by the Tamil Tigers. It said the LTTE was suspected to be behind the assassinations and attempted killings of more than 50 members of Tamil political groups and several Muslim civilians since a ceasefire took effect in February 2002. "We are also appealing to all parties contesting the elections to put human rights at the heart of their agenda," Amnesty said. It called on parties to make clear their commitment to undertaking reforms to ensure protection and promotion of human rights, ending impunity and ratifying international rights and humanitarian standards. "The potential for serious and widespread human rights abuses during the campaigning period is now a major concern," Amnesty said. |
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