EU measures to combat terrorism
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union
concerning listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation.
1. The Council of the European Union (EU) decided on 29 May 2006 to
include the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam) on the EU list for
the application of specific measures to combat terrorism. This list
contains the names of persons, groups and entities against whom, for
reasons of their involvement in terrorist acts, specific restrictive
measures have to be taken, including:
- the freezing of funds and other financial assets or economic
resources of the persons and entities specified,
- a ban on the provision of funds, financial assets and economic
resources, and a ban on the provision of financial or other related
services, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of these persons,
groups and entities.
- police and judicial cooperation between EU member states.
2. The decision of the EU to list the LTTE should come as a surprise
to nobody. Several warnings have already been provided to the LTTE,
which the LTTE has systematically ignored. In its statement of 27
September 2005 (12669/1/05) the EU stated that "it was actively
considering the formal listing of LTTE as a terrorist organisation".
The EU then called upon all parties to show commitment and
responsibility towards the peace process and to refrain from actions
that could endanger a peaceful resolution and political settlement of
the conflict. Unfortunately, this appeal has gone unheeded. The decision
of the EU to list the LTTE is based on the actions of that organisation.
The EU still sees a need for the LTTE to amend its violent course and
return to peace talks, and will maintain its dialogue with the LTTE
where such contacts, in the pursuit of the peace process, may help to
bring about a return to negotiations and an end to violence. Listing the
LTTE will not diminish the EU's determination to play its role as one of
the Tokyo co-chairs (1). The EU stresses that its decision is directed
at the LTTE, and not at the Tamil people.
3. At the same time, the EU calls upon the Sri Lankan authorities to
curb violence in Government controlled areas. In this regard, the EU
stands by all of the findings in the reports of the SLMM (Sri Lanka
Monitoring Mission).
The EU urges the Government of Sri Lanka to act effectively on the
commitment of President Rajapakse to put a stop to the culture of
impunity and to clamp down on all acts of violence in areas controlled
by the Government. The EU further urges the Government to ensure law and
order for all citizens of Sri Lanka, and to investigate and prosecute
all cases of violence that have so far not resulted in arrests or
convictions.
4. The upsurge in violence is not caused by the LTTE alone. The EU
strongly urges the Sri Lankan authorities to curb violence in Government
controlled areas. The EU notes with concern the growing number of
reports of extrajudicial killings. The EU views the activities of the
Karuna Group in the gravest possible light. These are clearly
contributing to increased instability in Sri Lanka, and further endanger
the peace process.
The EU intends to keep the activities of the Karuna Group under close
review, with a view to considering possible further steps. |