Monitoring Will Provide Incentives for Humanitarian Change in Conflict Zones
The accusations voiced by the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights Navi Pillay are a depressing reminder of the conflict dynamics in Sri Lanka. She has expressed frustration that "certain actions being undertaken by the Sri Lankan military and by the LTTE may constitute violations of international human rights and humanitarian law". The combined allegations of forced conscription by the LTTE, and accusations of indiscriminate and disproportionate tactics employed by the government not only threaten catastrophe but also give rise to a new moral dilemma.
Reports have recently emerged of the forced conscription by the LTTE of a UN worker and members of his family, including his sixteen year old daughter. Coming just days after the High Commissioner’s allegations of "brutal and inhumane treatment" of civilians under LTTE control, these fresh accusations only underline the vicious nature of the conflict. Scores of civilians including children have been likewise reported to be forcibly recruited in this period. We call on the LTTE to release those who have been forcibly recruited. Simultaneously, the government continues to receive criticism for the methods it has employed in its recent military actions. Of key concern has been the use of firing by heavy weapons on areas thought to contain trapped civilians.
There is the risk of those trapped against their will becoming caught in the cross fire. If it is acknowledged that the innocent are being held hostage, NPC believes that those who are attempting to liberate them must employ methods that seek to minimise the suffering of such captives. Those forced against their will to hold a weapon need to be provided with the opportunity to surrender and not be killed in action. With the eyes of the world getting focused on Sri Lanka due to both the military operations and humanitarian crisis, accusations such as those made by the United Nations are serious and cannot be ignored or easily brushed aside.
With both the independent media and aid workers only given restricted access to the conflict zone undisputable independent verification is exceptionally difficult. The government has denied the allegations by the UN High Commissioner and the numbers of casualties mentioned. There are also concerns about the well being of civilians who cross over to government territory, the manner of their screening and confinement to camps. However, if a party that has the confidence of all concerned were able to monitor the conflict zone it would provide information that would be readily acceptable to the outside world. NPC believes that such monitoring and presence with both national and international participation would also provide a strong incentive to the conflicting parties to act according to internationally accepted norms of humanitarian conduct.
Governing Council
The National Peace Council is an independent and non partisan organisation that works towards a negotiated political solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. It has a vision of a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka in which the freedom, human rights and democratic rights of all the communities are respected. The policy of the National Peace Council is determined by its Governing Council of 20 members who are drawn from diverse walks of life and belong to all the main ethnic and religious communities in the country.
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