FOOD AID REACHED 280,000 PEOPLE UPROOTED IN POST-CONFLICT SRI LANKA – UN

FOOD AID REACHED 280,000 PEOPLE UPROOTED IN POST-CONFLICT SRI LANKA – UN
New York, Jun 8 2009 6:00PM
Basic food supplies were distributed to around 280,000 people last month following the end of the conflict between Government forces and rebels in north-east Sri Lanka, the United Nations humanitarian wing announced today.

Over 2,200 megatons of food was dispersed, with supplemental food – particularly a corn soya blend – being delivered to underweight young children, as well as to pregnant and lactating women, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA).

For its part, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home">UNHCR) and other agencies providing shelter have built 6,500 emergency structures and over 13,000 tents to date, with more being erected as land is cleared.

OCHA reported that water and sanitation has been a huge challenge, but progress is being made, with half of the latrines needed in place and water currently being provided for 75 per cent of overall drinking and bathing needs.

As of 5 June, 40 per cent of the $155 million needed for the 2009 Common Humanitarian Action Plan for Sri Lanka has been received, and an additional $28 million pledged.

Last month, Sri Lanka's Government declared that its military operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was over, ending more than two decades of fighting.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last week repeated his appeal to the South Asian island nation's Government to heed international calls for accountability and transparency, and for an inquiry into alleged abuses committed during the recently concluded conflict with Tamil rebels.

"It is crucially important that the Sri Lankan Government follow up on all the promises that they have made," Mr. Ban <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/offthecuff.asp?nid=1296">told reporters following an informal discussion with Security Council members on Sri Lanka.

"Whenever and wherever there are credible allegations of violations of humanitarian law, there should be a proper investigation," he said, adding that any inquiry must be supported by UN Member States and be "very impartial and objective."

The Secretary-General also stressed that it was time to unite, and warned against "the risk of triumphalism in the wake of victory," as this will hinder ongoing efforts by the Sri Lankan Government and people, and the international community, to help heal the wounds inflicted during the long-running conflict.
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BAN ASKS SRI LANKA TO HEED CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY

BAN ASKS SRI LANKA TO HEED CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY
New York, Jun 5 2009 7:00PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reiterated his appeal to the Government of Sri Lanka to heed international calls for accountability and transparency, and for an inquiry into alleged abuses committed during the recently concluded conflict with Tamil rebels.

"It is crucially important that the Sri Lankan Government follow up on all the promises that they have made," Mr. Ban <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/offthecuff.asp?nid=1296">told reporters following an informal discussion with Security Council members on Sri Lanka.

Last month, Sri Lanka's Government declared that its military operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was over, ending more than two decades of fighting.

In the joint statement issued at the end of his 22-23 May visit to the country, Mr. Ban and President Mahinda Rajapaksa agreed that the country had now entered a new post-conflict phase and faces many obstacles relating to relief, rehabilitation, resettlement and reconciliation.

"Whenever and wherever there are credible allegations of violations of humanitarian law, there should be a proper investigation," the Secretary-General said today.

"Any inquiry, to be meaningful, should be supported by the members of the United Nations, and also should be very impartial and objective," he added.

Mr. Ban also stressed that it was time to unite, and warned against "the risk of triumphalism in the wake of victory," as this will hinder ongoing efforts by the Sri Lankan Government and people, and the international community, to help heal the wounds inflicted during the long-running conflict.

The UN remains ready "to facilitate ongoing efforts by the Sri Lankan Government in healing the wounds through national reconciliation and through inclusive political dialogue," he stated.

The world body, which has been focusing its efforts on supporting the Government in aiding the 290,000 people who fled the fighting in recent months, also stands ready to continue providing humanitarian assistance, he added.
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UN SCALING UP EFFORTS TO FACILITATE RETURN HOME OF DISPLACED SRI LANKANS

UN SCALING UP EFFORTS TO FACILITATE RETURN HOME OF DISPLACED SRI LANKANS
New York, Jun 2 2009 10:00AM
The United Nations refugee agency and its partners are working to ensure that the hundreds of thousands of people who were uprooted by clashes between Sri Lankan Government forces and Tamil rebels are able to return to their homes.

Last month, the Government declared that its military operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was over, ending more than two decades of fighting.

Some 300,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are living in 40 emergency shelter sites. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home">UNHCR) and its partners have erected nearly 9,000 emergency shelters and over 14,000 tents so far, distributed non-food items and carried out protection monitoring activities.

"We continue to work closely with the Government to better respond to the emergency – from central Government level to the local Government officials who are involved with direct assistance activities on the ground," UNHCR spokesperson Ron Redmond <"http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/media?page=home&id=4a250e3a2">told reporters in Geneva today.

Key priorities are to decongest and improve conditions in the camps, stabilize the population and prepare for their return home, he added.

"UNHCR's ultimate objective is to support efforts to restore normalcy in the lives of this population by ensuring that they can return home as soon as conditions are in place," such as security issues, de-mining and reconstructing damaged homes, the spokesperson said.

The agency is also in talks with the Government to ensure that IDPs living in camps can move around freely, Mr. Redmond said. "The Government has taken positive steps on this front by releasing categories of persons with special needs, including the elderly and pregnant women, to specialized institutions as well as reunifying families separated during flight."

Further, the agency is encouraging authorities to wrap up screening as soon as possible and separate ex-combatants to allow civilians to move more freely in and out of camps, he noted.

Yesterday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated his strong concerns over "unacceptably high" civilian casualties in the conflict between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE, while rejecting in the strongest terms any figure attributed to the UN.

Briefing the General Assembly on his recent visit to Sri Lanka and other travels, Mr. Ban said media reports alleging that some 20,000 civilians may have been killed during the last phase of the conflict "do not emanate from the UN and most are not consistent with the information at our disposal."

He "categorically" rejected any suggestions that the UN has deliberately under-estimated any figures. "Let me also say, whatever the total, the casualties in the conflict were unacceptably high – as I have also said repeatedly," he added.

Mr. Ban told the Assembly that during his 22-23 May visit to the South Asian island nation, he pressed the Government to heed international calls for an inquiry into alleged abuses and underscored the need for full accountability and transparency.

"Any inquiry conducted by the international community would require, first, the full cooperation of the host government, or, second, the support of the UN Member States, expressed through the Human Rights Council, the General Assembly or the Security Council," he said.
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SRI LANKA: BAN STRONGLY REJECTS UN AS SOURCE OF CASUALTY REPORTS

SRI LANKA: BAN STRONGLY REJECTS UN AS SOURCE OF CASUALTY REPORTS
New York, Jun 1 2009 3:00PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reiterated his strong concerns over "unacceptably high" civilian casualties in the conflict between the Sri Lankan Government and Tamil rebels, while rejecting in the strongest terms any figure attributed to the United Nations.

Briefing the General Assembly today on his recent visit to Sri Lanka and other travels, Mr. Ban said media reports alleging that some 20,000 civilians may have been killed during the last phase of the conflict "do not emanate from the UN and most are not consistent with the information at our disposal."

Last month, Sri Lanka's Government declared that its military operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was over, ending more than two decades of fighting.

"I categorically reject – repeat, categorically – any suggestion that the United Nations has deliberately under-estimated any figures," the Secretary-General underscored.

"Let me also say, whatever the total, the casualties in the conflict were unacceptably high – as I have also said repeatedly," he added.

Mr. Ban told the Assembly that during his 22-23 May visit to the South Asian island nation, he pressed the Government to heed international calls for an inquiry into alleged abuses and underscored the need for full accountability and transparency.

"Any inquiry conducted by the international community would require, first, the full cooperation of the host government, or, second, the support of the UN Member States, expressed through the Human Rights Council, the General Assembly or the Security Council," he said.

At the Human Rights Council's special session on Sri Lanka last week, High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said that investigating abuses allegedly committed against civilians by both the Government and LTTE will help the country transition into a new future.

"There are strong reasons to believe that both sides have grossly disregarded the fundamental principle of the inviolability of civilians," Ms. Pillay had stated, with the LTTE being accused of using civilians as human shields and the Government reportedly using heavy weapons on the small and densely-populated area of conflict in northern Sri Lanka.

An "independent and credible international investigation into recent events should be dispatched to ascertain the occurrence, nature and scale of violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law, as well as specific responsibilities," she said.

The Secretary-General today voiced hope that the authorities will follow through with a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2009/sg2151.doc.htm">statement issued jointly with President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the end of his trip, in which they stressed that addressing the aspirations and grievances of all communities, as well as finding a lasting political solution, is essential for long-term development following the long-running conflict's end.

Both leaders also agreed that with the conclusion of military operations, Sri Lanka has entered a new post-conflict phase and faces many obstacles relating to relief, rehabilitation, resettlement and reconciliation.

"I stand ready to do whatever we can in the interests of justice, human rights and Sri Lanka's political future," the Secretary-General said in his address to the Assembly today.

His recent travels have also taken him to Bahrain and Geneva, where he addressed the Conference on Disarmament which adopted a programme of work last Friday, breaking an impasse that had last more than a decade.

Mr. Ban today also expressed his deep concern over the crisis in Pakistan, where 2 million people having been driven from their homes by clashes between the Government and militants in the past month. Some 400,000 people were uprooted in fighting last year, bringing the total number of displaced in the area to 2.4 million.

"The human suffering is immense," he said, emphasizing the need for international support to scale up the response of the international community and the Pakistani Government to the situation.

The UN and its partners launched an appeal for $543 million on 22 May, of which just over one-fifth has been funded to date. "If we do not get the rest of the funds, we will have to start cutting services," the Secretary-General warned, adding that there is a risk of a destabilizing secondary crisis.
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INQUIRY INTO ALLEGED ABUSES CRUCIAL FOR SRI LANKA’S RECOVERY – UN RIGHTS CHIEF

INQUIRY INTO ALLEGED ABUSES CRUCIAL FOR SRI LANKA'S RECOVERY – UN RIGHTS CHIEF
New York, May 26 2009 3:00PM
Investigating human rights abuses allegedly committed against civilians by both the Government of Sri Lanka and Tamil rebels will help the country transition into a new future, the United Nations human rights chief stated.

"There are strong reasons to believe that both sides have grossly disregarded the fundamental principle of the inviolability of civilians," Navi Pillay said in a video message to the <"http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/">Human Rights Council's special session on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.

Today's meeting in Geneva takes place one week after the Government announced that its military operation against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had ended, and on the heels of a visit to the South Asian island nation by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and several of his top aides.

Ms. Pillay said an "independent and credible international investigation into recent events should be dispatched to ascertain the occurrence, nature and scale of violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law, as well as specific responsibilities."

The LTTE has been accused of purposefully preventing civilians from leaving the conflict zone, forcefully conscripting people, and using civilians as human shields. "There were even alleged cases of the LTTE firing on civilians as they sought to flee, or targeting with suicide attacks checkpoints as the [internally displaced persons] IDPs left the area," Ms. Pillay said.

For its part, the Government reportedly utilized heavy weapons on the small and densely-populated area of conflict in Sri Lanka's north, she noted, in spite of assurances that it would take precautions to protect civilians. Further, Government forces allegedly shelled a hospital several times in the last weeks of fighting, and accusations that the army may have killed LTTE members as they were trying to surrender would constitute violations of the laws of war.

"Establishing the facts is crucial to set the record straight regarding the conduct of all parties in the conflict," the High Commissioner for Human Rights stressed, with victims and survivors to the conflict entitled to justice and remedies.

In her message to the 47-member Council, she reiterated the call issued by Mr. Ban to tackle the root causes of the conflict.

"A new future for the country, the prospect of meaningful reconciliation and lasting peace, where respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms can become a reality for all, hinges upon such an in-depth and comprehensive approach," she said.

During his visit, Mr. Ban urged the Government to undertake certain confidence-building measures to "clearly and unmistakably" signal its good intentions in addressing root causes of Tamil and Muslim grievances, warning that if issues of reconciliation and social inclusion are not dealt with, history could repeat itself.

Mr. Ban also visited IDP camps, an experience he called "very sobering," and flew over the former conflict zone.

In the camps in Menik Farm, one of the largest IDP sites, the Secretary-General was "able to see from himself that while a lot as been done, there is still long way to go," Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes, who accompanied Mr. Ban on the trip, told a press briefing today in New York.

Regarding the flight he took over the former area of conflict, the Secretary-General could "imagine just by looking at it what kind of hell it must have been," Mr. Holmes noted.

In his "useful" discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Mr. Ban discussed humanitarian issues, including greater Sri Lankan-UN cooperation to improve conditions in the camps. Mr. Ban pressed upon the Sri Lankan leader the need for unimpeded access – for both people and for vehicles – to the camps.

Also accompanying Mr. Ban to Sri Lanka was B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, who told reporters that although the military part of the conflict is over, the Sri Lankan Government must lead the humanitarian, reconstruction and political aspects of the recovery process.

The international community must also play a role, he stressed, adding that "we don't want to see a recurrence of the difficulties and problems that have occurred in the past."
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INQUIRY INTO ALLEGED ABUSES CRUCIAL FOR SRI LANKA'S RECOVERY – UN RIGHTS CHIEF<br />New York, May 26 2009 3:00PM<br />Investigating human rights abuses allegedly committed against civilians by both the Government of Sri Lanka and Tamil rebels will help the country transition into a new future, the United Nations human rights chief stated.<p>"There are strong reasons to believe that both sides have grossly disregarded the fundamental principle of the inviolability of civilians," Navi Pillay said in a video message to the <"<a href="http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/">http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/</a>">Human Rights Council's special session on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.<p>Today's meeting in Geneva takes place one week after the Government announced that its military operation against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had ended, and on the heels of a visit to the South Asian island nation by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and several of his top aides. <p>Ms. Pillay said an "independent and credible international investigation into recent events should be dispatched to ascertain the occurrence, nature and scale of violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law, as well as specific responsibilities."<p>The LTTE has been accused of purposefully preventing civilians from leaving the conflict zone, forcefully conscripting people, and using civilians as human shields. "There were even alleged cases of the LTTE firing on civilians as they sought to flee, or targeting with suicide attacks checkpoints as the [internally displaced persons] IDPs left the area," Ms. Pillay said.<p>For its part, the Government reportedly utilized heavy weapons on the small and densely-populated area of conflict in Sri Lanka's north, she noted, in spite of assurances that it would take precautions to protect civilians. Further, Government forces allegedly shelled a hospital several times in the last weeks of fighting, and accusations that the army may have killed LTTE members as they were trying to surrender would constitute violations of the laws of war.<p>"Establishing the facts is crucial to set the record straight regarding the conduct of all parties in the conflict," the High Commissioner for Human Rights stressed, with victims and survivors to the conflict entitled to justice and remedies.<p>In her message to the 47-member Council, she reiterated the call issued by Mr. Ban to tackle the root causes of the conflict.<p>"A new future for the country, the prospect of meaningful reconciliation and lasting peace, where respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms can become a reality for all, hinges upon such an in-depth and comprehensive approach," she said.<p>During his visit, Mr. Ban urged the Government to undertake certain confidence-building measures to "clearly and unmistakably" signal its good intentions in addressing root causes of Tamil and Muslim grievances, warning that if issues of reconciliation and social inclusion are not dealt with, history could repeat itself.<p>Mr. Ban also visited IDP camps, an experience he called "very sobering," and flew over the former conflict zone.<p>In the camps in Menik Farm, one of the largest IDP sites, the Secretary-General was "able to see from himself that while a lot as been done, there is still long way to go," Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes, who accompanied Mr. Ban on the trip, told a press briefing today in New York.<p>Regarding the flight he took over the former area of conflict, the Secretary-General could "imagine just by looking at it what kind of hell it must have been," Mr. Holmes noted.<p>In his "useful" discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Mr. Ban discussed humanitarian issues, including greater Sri Lankan-UN cooperation to improve conditions in the camps. Mr. Ban pressed upon the Sri Lankan leader the need for unimpeded access – for both people and for vehicles – to the camps.<p>Also accompanying Mr. Ban to Sri Lanka was B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, who told reporters that although the military part of the conflict is over, the Sri Lankan Government must lead the humanitarian, reconstruction and political aspects of the recovery process.<p>The international community must also play a role, he stressed, adding that "we don't want to see a recurrence of the difficulties and problems that have occurred in the past."<br />________________<p>For more details go to UN News Centre at <a href="http://www.un.org/news">http://www.un.org/news</a><p>To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:<br /><a href="http://www.un.org/news/dh/latest/subscribe.shtml">http://www.un.org/news/dh/latest/subscribe.shtml</a>

DURABLE POLITICAL SOLUTION KEY TO DEVELOPMENT IN POST-CONFLICT SRI LANKA -- BAN

DURABLE POLITICAL SOLUTION KEY TO DEVELOPMENT IN POST-CONFLICT SRI LANKA -- BAN
New York, May 24 2009 2:00PM
Addressing the aspirations and grievances of all communities, as well as finding a lasting political solution, is essential for long-term development in the wake of the end of the long-running conflict between Sri Lankan troops and separatist rebels, according to a joint statement issued by the Government of the South Asian nation and the United Nations.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, wrapped up his visit -- during which he met with top officials and others, visited camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and flew over the former conflict zone -- to the country yesterday.

Addressing reporters yesterday, Mr. Ban characterized his visit to the IDP sites at Manik Farm as "very sobering."

His mission to Sri Lanka sought to promote progress in three key areas: immediate humanitarian relief reintegration and r
econstruction and an equitable political solution.

In the joint statement also issued yesterday, Mr. Rajapaksa and Mr. Ban agreed that following last week's end of military operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the country has entered a new post-conflict phase and faces many obstacles relating to relief, rehabilitation, resettlement and reconciliation.

"While addressing these critical issues, it was agreed that the new situation offered opportunities for long-term development of the North and for re-establishing democratic institutions and electoral politics after 2 ½ decades," it said, noting that the Government has committed to empower the people of the north, where fighting raged, both economically and politically.

Further, the two leaders agreed that all communities' grievances must be addressed and efforts made to promote a sustainable political solution to ensure long-term development, with Mr. Rajapaksa expressing his determination to commence a
broader dialogue with all parties, including Tamil ones.

"The Government should undertake certain confidence-building measures to clearly and unmistakably signal its good intentions in addressing root causes of Tamil and Muslim grievances," Mr. Ban told reporters yesterday.

During his two-day visit to Sri Lanka, he discussed with the President how the UN will aid the Government's continuing efforts to address future challenges and opportunities.

According to the statement, the world body will continue providing humanitarian assistance to the IDPs in Vavuniya and Jaffna, while the Sri Lankan Government will continue helping relief agencies and endeavour to allow IDPs to resume their normal lives as quickly as possible.

"The Secretary-General welcomed the announcement by the Government expressing its intention to dismantle the welfare villages at the earliest as outlined in the Plan to resettle the bulk of IDPs and call for its early implementation," it noted.

Mr. Ban also called on the international community to fund the Common Humanitarian Action Plan, or CHAP, launched by the Sri Lankan Government and the UN, which seeks to meet the needs of those uprooted by the clashes.

The large number of former child soldiers forcibly recruited by the LTTE was recognized by both the President and Secretary-General as an important issue, with Mr. Rajapaksa underscoring his firm zero tolerance policy and child-friendly procedures having been set up for their release and rehabilitation in centres, in cooperation with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).

"Sri Lanka reiterated its strongest commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights in keeping with international human rights standards and Sri Lanka's international obligations," the statement said.

"The Secretary General underlined the importance of an accountability process for addressing violations of international humanitarian and human rights law," it added. "The Government will take measures to ad
dress those grievances."

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BAN ARRIVES IN SRI LANKA FOR FIRST-HAND LOOK AT POST-CONFLICT SITUATION

BAN ARRIVES IN SRI LANKA FOR FIRST-HAND LOOK AT POST-CONFLICT SITUATION
New York, May 22 2009 4:00PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Sri Lanka days after the Government declared that its military operation against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has ended.

UN spokesperson Marie Okabe told reporters today that, during his visit, Mr. Ban seeks to further progress in three key areas: immediate humanitarian relief; reintegration and reconstruction; and an equitable political solution.

Earlier today, his Chief of Staff, Vijay Nambiar, who has been in the country for several days, voiced hope that "the Secretary-General's visit can help begin a process of national recovery, renewal and reconciliation for all Sri Lankans."

Mr. Nambiar told reporters in the capital, Colombo, that the national reconciliation process must be "all-inclusive" and address the legitimate aspirations of Tamils and other minorities.

"It is important that victory becomes a victory for all Sri Lankans," he added.

Over the past week, Mr. Nambiar has visited camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Menik farm in the country's north, where fighting raged between the Government and LTTE, as well as taking a helicopter ride over the former conflict zone.

The official said he also held meetings with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, other senior officials, diplomats, representatives of humanitarian agencies and political leaders, including Tamil members of Parliament.

During his two-day visit to the South Asian island nation, the Secretary-General will also visit IDP camps and, weather permitting, fly over the area of conflict.

Yesterday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA) said that, according to the Sri Lankan Government, all of those forced to flee their homes have left the conflict zone and have gone through transit points. It has put the total number of uprooted people in camps at 272,000, out of which 251,000 are in Vavuniya.
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SRI LANKA: TOP UN OFFICIAL VISITS CAMPS FOR UPROOTED CIVILIANS

SRI LANKA: TOP UN OFFICIAL VISITS CAMPS FOR UPROOTED CIVILIANS
New York, May 21 2009 5:00PM
A senior United Nations official travelled today to camps housing civilians who escaped Government-rebel clashes in northern Sri Lanka, ahead of a visit by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who departs today for the South Asian island nation.

Earlier this week, the Government of Sri Lanka declared that its military operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had ended, and that the remaining civilians that were caught up in the conflict zone in the country's north-east had left.

Vijay Nambiar, Mr. Ban's Chief of Staff, today visited camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Vavuniya, where the majority of those escaping fighting are now living, and also saw the former conflict zone first-hand from a helicopter.

Also today, he met with V. Anandasangaree, President of the Tamil United Liberation Front, a Tamil political party. The two men discussed the situation of the IDPs remaining in the conflict zone – many of whom have either died, were injured or are missing – as well as the hospitals abandoned due to heavy shelling.

They also conferred on allocating more land to address overcrowding and the provision of necessary supplies, especially for children.

Tomorrow, Mr. Nambiar is scheduled to visit northern Sri Lanka and meet with members of the Tamil National Alliance who are also Parliament members. He is also slated to hold a press conference in the capital, Colombo.

Mr. Ban is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow for a two-day visit to get a first-hand look at the situation on the ground.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA) said that, according to the Sri Lankan Government, all IDPs have left the conflict zone and have gone through transit points. It has put the total number of uprooted people in camps at 272,000, out of whom 251,000 are in Vavuniya.

OCHA voiced concern about overcrowding at the camps at Menik Farm, where access is restricted for aid vehicles.

It also underscored the need for freedom of movement for people in camps to allow those who have been identified as non-combatants to be able to relocate and stay with host families, if they have the option.

Yesterday, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees expressed concern over conditions in the camps, including overcrowding and limited services.
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SECRETARY-GENERAL TO HEAD TO SRI LANKA LATER THIS WEEK

SECRETARY-GENERAL TO HEAD TO SRI LANKA LATER THIS WEEK
New York, May 19 2009 2:00PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today that he will visit Sri Lanka later this week, in part to get a first-hand look at the situation on the ground after the Government declared that its military operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has ended.

The 22-23 May visit would be to respond to the urgent need to heal the wounds of a war that has alienated the communities in the country for almost three decades, Mr. Ban told a news conference in Geneva.

"The task now facing the people of Sri Lanka is immense and requires all hands," he said, stressing the need for progress in three critical areas: immediate humanitarian relief; reintegration and reconstruction; and a sustainable and equitable political solution.

Progress on all three of these fronts must move forward in parallel – and it must begin now, he stated.

Mr. Ban's Chief of Staff, Vijay Nambiar, is currently in the country and is engaged with relevant parties on how best to respond to the humanitarian situation of the large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and initiate a process for early recovery and long-term reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

UN agencies are stepping up their efforts to assist the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the conflict. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA) estimates that there are around 220,000 people who have already reached the IDP camps, and it is believed that another 40,000-60,000 people are on their way to the sites.

John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, told reporters yesterday that the large influx of people poses "major humanitarian challenges" in terms of providing shelter and other basic services, such as food, clean water and medical services.

"The conditions in these camps are certainly not ideal. They're not up to international standards yet but everybody is working very hard to try to make sure that they are," he stated.

The head of the UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) today called for full and unimpeded humanitarian access so that women and children can receive the assistance they need, following reports that access to some IDP camps has become restricted.

Ann M. Veneman stressed that UNICEF is committed to working with partners to provide those in the camps with essential water and sanitation, nutrition, maternal and child health care, education and protection.

Restrictions to enter the IDP sites, imposed over the weekend, are also hindering the ability of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/4a12d76a2.html">UNHCR) to deliver assistance, its spokesperson said.

"Our access to the Vavuniya sites has been greatly curtailed over the past few days and this affects our ability to monitor and distribute aid to the displaced," Ron Redmond told reporters today. "We hope this ends quickly."

The agency has asked the Sri Lankan authorities to allocate more land for the construction of emergency shelter, water and sanitation facilities, as well as to provide public buildings in Vavuniya, Jaffna, Mannar and Kilinochchi in order to accommodate arriving IDPs.

The World Food Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/stories/sri-lanka-conflict-ends-wfp-responds-idp-challenge">WFP), for its part, is boosting its food stocks and preparing nutritionally-rich food for women and children to meet the needs of the IDPs. The agency is already feeding 250,000 people in temporary transit camps.

In a related development, the UN <"http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/">Human Rights Council will hold a special session on 25 May to address the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, following a request by several of its members.

"It is hoped that the holding of this special session will contribute towards the cause of peace," said the Council's President, Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi.

"The Human Rights Council cannot be silent when innocent civilians are caught up in armed conflicts. The international community must strive to deliver justice to victims of human rights violations wherever they occur and ensure that those found guilty of such crimes are held accountable for their actions," he added.

Next Monday's meeting will be the 11th special session of the Geneva-based Council, which has also held special sessions related to the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Darfur, Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the global food crisis and the global economic and financial crises.
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ICRC News Release - Sri Lanka: ICRC makes urgent appeal for wounded to be given medical care

18 May 2009

Sri Lanka: ICRC makes urgent appeal for wounded to be given medical care

Geneva (ICRC) – For nine consecutive days the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been pursuing efforts, so far without success, to reach the area of north-eastern Sri Lanka hard hit by fighting in recent weeks. The ICRC has therefore been unable to obtain first-hand information about the needs of civilians and wounded people in the area. Although thousands of civilians have fled the conflict zone in the past days and weeks, the ICRC remains concerned about the wounded needing urgent medical care.

“Under international humanitarian law, the lives of all those who are not or are no longer fighting must be spared. Wounded and sick people must be collected and cared for immediately, and detainees must be treated humanely,” said the ICRC’s director of operations, Pierre Krähenbühl, from the ICRC’s headquarters in Geneva today. “This is all the more urgent since no humanitarian aid has reached those who need it for over a week.”

The ICRC has proposed to the authorities that it help evacuate any remaining civilians from the area where fighting has been taking place, care for the sick and wounded, and provide emergency assistance for the displaced. The ICRC will seize any opportunity that presents itself to enter the area and assess the situation.

SRI LANKA: UN EXPERT VOICES CONCERN OVER CIVILIANS’ SAFETY

SRI LANKA: UN EXPERT VOICES CONCERN OVER CIVILIANS' SAFETY
New York, May 15 2009 12:00PM
The United Nations advocate for displaced persons today expressed his concern over civilians caught up in clashes between Government forces and rebels in northern Sri Lanka, as well as for the ongoing confinement of uprooted people in camps.

At least 50,000 people are still trapped in the conflict zone – a tiny space of just several square kilometres on the northern coastline – and they are "exposed to great danger and without access to sufficient humanitarian access," said Walter Kälin, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Representative for the Human Rights of Displaced Persons.

The separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is preventing civilians from leaving the area and placing military installations close to them, while, for its part, the Government has been using heavy weapons such as mortars in the conflict zone in recent days, he added.

"This combination of factors must have resulted in unacceptably high numbers of civilian casualties," Mr. Kälin underscored.

The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a statement that heavy fighting earlier this week precluded it from evacuating the wounded and sick from the conflict zone and from delivering food to civilians.

"I call on the LTTE to let the remaining civilians go and both sides to agree to humanitarian pauses for that purpose as well as to allow humanitarian access to bring in much-needed food and medicines and evacuate the wounded," the Representative said.

Further, both sides are obligated to follow international humanitarian law, he emphasized. "Even if one party to the conflict is deliberately using civilians as human shields, the other party is still prohibited from carrying out attacks that are indiscriminate in their consequences or result in a disproportional loss of civilian life."

Mr. Kälin also expressed his concern over the dire living conditions in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) who escaped the conflict, with the influx of an additional 110,000 people during the last 10 days of April posing further challenges for the Government and its humanitarian partners.

"Ensuring adequate humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons is first and foremost a Government responsibility, especially since the Government decided to intern them in camps, citing security concerns," he said, adding that authorities continue to hold nearly 200,000 IDPs in temporary camps.

He further called attention to the need to screen and register the displaced without delay and to restore the freedom of movement for the large number of them who are not security risks.

"Prolonged internment of such persons would not only amount to arbitrary detention but it also aggravates the humanitarian situation needlessly," the Representative said.

Although he welcomes reports that, as of the end of last month, over 1,200 people – mostly elderly, mentally disabled and other vulnerable people – had been released from the camps, he voiced concern that some elderly people had died from starvation or malnutrition in the sites, calling on the Government to immediately release all vulnerable people still in the camps.

In a related development, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) <"http://www.wfp.org/news/news-release/wfp-providing-meal-thousands-sri-lankans-fleeing-civil-conflict">announced today that it has started providing cooked meals at a Government screening point for thousands of people fleeing the fighting.

"For many, this will be the first hot meal they have had in days or perhaps much longer," said Adnan Khan, WFP Representative in Sri Lanka, adding that overnight, 3,000 people arrived in Omanthai.

IDPs must pass through screening points before they can move onto temporary transit centres in Vavuniya and Jaffna.

WFP, which is feeding nearly 200,000 people in northern Sri Lanka, is sending food supplies to Omanthai, where the agency, along with a local partner, are responsible for cooking and distributing food.

Since Tuesday, three attempts to deliver food by ship to the conflict zone have been unsuccessful due to the security situation, and the agency is appealing for an additional $42 million to meet the rapidly-increasing needs of IDPs.

In a telephone conversation with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated his concerns about the protection of civilians caught up in the conflict.

"As you will recall, the Secretary-General urged the Government of Sri Lanka to explore all possible options to bring the conflict to an end without further bloodshed and to make public the terms under which that can be achieved without further loss of civilian life," UN spokesperson Marie Okabe told reporters yesterday.

"He urged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to give sober and positive consideration of those terms."

Mr. Ban has also dispatched one of his top advisers, his Chef de Cabinet, Vijay Nambiar, to Sri Lanka "to underscore his message and help to resolve the humanitarian situation there," Ms. Okabe said.

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BAN DISCUSSES PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS WITH SRI LANKAN LEADER, DISPATCHES TOP AIDE

BAN DISCUSSES PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS WITH SRI LANKAN LEADER, DISPATCHES TOP AIDE
New York, May 14 2009 4:00PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has once again expressed his concerns about the protection of civilians caught up in the conflict in Sri Lanka to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and has dispatched one of his top advisers to the South Asian nation.

During his telephone conversation yesterday with the Sri Lankan leader, Mr. Ban reiterated his concerns about the protection of civilians as fighting continues between Government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), UN spokesperson Marie Okabe told reporters in New York.

"As you will recall, the Secretary-General urged the Government of Sri Lanka to explore all possible options to bring the conflict to an end without further bloodshed and to make public the terms under which that can be achieved without further loss of civilian life," she said.

"He urged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to give sober and positive consideration of those terms."

Ms. Okabe also announced that Mr. Ban is sending his Chef de Cabinet, Vijay Nambiar, to Sri Lanka "to underscore his message and help to resolve the humanitarian situation there."

Members of the Security Council yesterday expressed grave concern over the worsening crisis in northern Sri Lanka, in particular the reports of hundreds of civilian casualties in recent days, in a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2009/sc9659.doc.htm">statement read out to the press by Ambassador Vitaly Churkin of Russia, which holds the 15-member body's rotating presidency for May.

They reiterated their support for the personal involvement of the Secretary-General, and urged the Government to extend full cooperation to the UN to resolve the humanitarian crisis.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that over 50,000 people remain in the conflict zone, while more than 198,000 people have managed to leave and crossed to Government-controlled areas. Of those, nearly 196,000 people are accommodated in temporary, overcrowded camps.

The UN spokesman in Sri Lanka, Gordon Weiss, says conditions inside the camps are still "miserable," owing to overcrowding and poor hygiene conditions. In addition, "they are dealing with an extremely fragile population who have been through a terrible time – certainly an intensely terrible time for the past three months," he told UN Radio.

Aid agencies, including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), have constructed 8,000 shelters and erected more than 9,000 tents to accommodate the new arrivals in the districts of Vavuniya, Jaffna and Trincomalee. They are also carrying out regular distribution of non-food items and monitoring at the sites.

According to OCHA, the last food shipment to the conflict zone – a shrinking pocket of land on the northern coastline – was on 8 May, and civilians trapped in the area are in desperate need of food and supplies.

Earlier today, two ships of the International Committee of the Red Cross carrying 25 tons and 500 tons respectively of mixed food commodities were unable to discharge cargo in the conflict zone due to continuous heavy fighting.
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ICRC News Release - Sri Lanka: humanitarian assistance can no longer reach civilians

ICRC News Release No. 09/103

14 May 2009

Geneva (ICRC) – In north-eastern Sri Lanka, hundreds of seriously wounded or ill patients blocked in the conflict area have been waiting in vain for several days for desperately needed medical care. For the third consecutive day, a ferry chartered by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and anchoring only a few kilometres away from the patients has been unable to evacuate them because of continuous heavy fighting.

"Our staff are witnessing an unimaginable humanitarian catastrophe," said the ICRC's director of operations, Pierre Krähenbühl, from the ICRC's headquarters in Geneva today. "Despite high-level assurances, the lack of security on the ground means that our sea operations continue to be stalled, and this is unacceptable," added Mr Krähenbühl. "No humanitarian organization can help them in the current circumstances. People are left to their own devices."

Thousands of people remain trapped in a small area along the coast within the conflict zone. As fighting goes on unabated, civilians are forced to seek protection in hand-dug bunkers, making it even more difficult to fetch scarce drinking water and food.

An ICRC ferry, the GreenOcean, is carrying 25 metric tonnes of urgently needed food. The last time the ICRC could offload food and medical supplies and evacuate patients was last Saturday, 9 May. In addition to the ferry, a cargo ship, the Oriental Princess, carrying another 500 metric tonnes of food from the World Food Programme, is waiting off the coast north of Mullaittivu, ready to deliver the food to civilians.

"We need security and unimpeded access now in order to save hundreds of lives," said Mr Krähenbühl. "The ICRC stands ready to carry out its humanitarian work as soon as conditions permit."

Sri Lanka: Satellite Images, Witnesses Show Shelling Continues

UN Security Council Fails to Act While Civilians Suffer

May 12, 2009

(New York) - New satellite imagery and eyewitness accounts contradict Sri Lankan government claims that its armed forces are no longer using heavy weapons in the densely populated conflict area in northern Sri Lanka, Human Rights Watch said today.

Local sources have reported that more than 400 civilians have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded since May 9, 2009, as a result of artillery attacks on the thin coastal strip where fighting continues between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

"Recent satellite photos and witness accounts show the brutal shelling of civilians in the conflict area goes on," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Neither the Sri Lankan army nor the Tamil Tigers appear to have any reluctance in using civilians as cannon fodder."

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) today issued a preliminary analysis of commercial high-resolution satellite imagery of the conflict zone that shows craters from the use of heavy weapons and the removal of thousands of likely structures used by internally displaced persons (IDPs) between May 6 and May 10. The AAAS found that it was "certainly unlikely that the IDPs would have moved en masse, and so completely without a compelling reason." Tens of thousands of civilians remain trapped in the conflict area.

Witnesses described to Human Rights Watch harrowing days spent in shallow bunkers sheltering from artillery attacks and being prevented by the LTTE from escaping to government-controlled areas.

"K. Kanaga," a 35-year-old woman whose name is withheld for security reasons, said that around 7 p.m. on May 9, she and 15 others were hiding in a bunker that they had built under a tractor when a shell struck the tractor. "If it hadn't been for the tractor, we would have all been dead," she said. About eight to 10 shells struck the immediate area, which was populated with tents and improvised bunkers. Kanaga's 45-year-old cousin was staying in a tent nearby; she never reached the bunker and was killed in the attack. "Many other people were injured as well, but I don't know how many," Kanaga said. "I could hear their screams."

"R. Raman," 29, said that he and his family had been hiding in their bunker in Mullaivaikal - a dug-out trench without any cover - for several days. "We were being attacked from all sides," he said. "My wife and I only left the bunker to get food and water for our three children."

Early in the morning on May 9, a shell struck one of the tents closeby, killing Raman's 15-year-old nephew and wounding his nephew's older brother and sister. Raman believes that the shell came from Sri Lankan army positions and may have been targeting LTTE forces that were deployed in the jungle about 100 meters away. Several shells struck the tented area inhabited by displaced civilians.

Raman said he and his family were afraid to try to escape to government-controlled areas. When they and several hundred others had tried to leave the area in early April, LTTE fighters opened fire on them. "I saw them shoot at least 15 people," he said. "They just opened fire on the first row of people. I don't know whether they lived or died, however. We fell to the ground as soon as the firing started. When it stopped, we ran back as quickly as we could. There were children among the people who got shot as well." According to Raman, about half of the people managed to escape that day. The other half were forced to return.

According to doctors who spoke to Human Rights Watch, at around 8 a.m. on May 12 the makeshift hospital at Mullivaikkal was again shelled, as many wounded civilians were waiting for treatment. Nearly 1,000 patients were in the hospital at the time of the attack, including many wounded during attacks on May 9-10. A shell reportedly exploded in front of the admission ward during visiting hours, when many relatives came to visit patients, and doctors usually arrived for work. Doctors reported that the attack killed 49 people (26 immediately, others later succumbing to injuries); another 31 injured remain in the hospital. Among those killed was the administrative officer of Mullaitivu Regional Director of Health Services, who was arranging admission of a patient. A doctor said that the shelling came from the direction of Iraddaivaikal, where government forces are deployed. Human Rights Watch and other independent monitors have not been permitted access to the conflict area by the government, so cannot confirm these casualty figures.

The Mullivaikkal hospital, which had been newly relocated away from the front line, has been repeatedly hit by shells believed to have been fired by Sri Lankan army forces. Photographs of the hospital following the shelling today can be viewed at (slideshow link).

Human Rights Watch has repeatedly raised grave concerns about violations of international law by both parties to the conflict. The LTTE has violated the laws of war by using civilians as "human shields," by preventing civilians from fleeing the combat zone - including by use of lethal force - and by deliberately deploying their forces close to densely populated areas. The Sri Lankan armed forces have indiscriminately shelled densely populated areas, including hospitals, in violation of the laws of war.

Human Rights Watch reiterated its call to Sri Lanka's key donors - including the United States, the European Union, India, Japan, and China - to demand that the Sri Lankan government end its use of heavy weapons in densely populated areas, particularly near hospitals. Both the government and the LTTE should permit safe humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to flee the combat zone.

Human Rights Watch reiterated its call for the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka to be urgently taken up by a formal meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York and by a special session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

HEAVY FIGHTING, ALONG WITH CASUALTIES, CONTINUE IN SRI LANKA CONFLICT ZONE – UN

HEAVY FIGHTING, ALONG WITH CASUALTIES, CONTINUE IN SRI LANKA CONFLICT ZONE – UN
New York, May 13 2009 4:00PM
Heavy fighting between Government forces and Tamil rebels is reportedly continuing in the conflict zone in northern Sri Lanka, with heavy casualties, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA).

This follows weekend clashes in the area between the army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in which hundreds of Sri Lankan civilians were killed.

The UN estimates that over 50,000 people remain in the conflict zone, a shrinking pocket of land on the northern coastline, while more than 196,000 people have managed to leave and crossed to Government-controlled areas.

OCHA said it has been informed by the Government of Sri Lanka that it will soon issue identification cards to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) once the registration process is completed, UN spokesperson Michele Montas told a news conference in New York.

The cards will allow for IDPs to travel outside camp locations for employment, purchasing provisions and other essential activities. Currently over 20,000 IDPs have already registered for IDs and the process is ongoing.

Since the recent large influx of IDPs, many of the camp management duties have been taken over by the military.

"The UN continues to emphasize the need for the camps to be managed by civilians, and reiterates the need for more civilian police, including women police and police from the Tamil community," said Ms. Montas.

Also today, an International Committee of the Red Cross-flagged ship carrying 25 metric tons of food turned back due to fighting in the conflict zone, for the second time in as many days.

An additional 500-ton shipment of mixed food commodities is ready for departure from Trincomalee later today, and another shipment of 25 tons of food is planned for Thursday.
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Sri Lanka: Repeated Shelling of Hospitals Evidence of War Crimes

30 Attacks Reported on Medical Facilities Since December

May 8, 2009

(New York) - The Sri Lankan armed forces have repeatedly struck hospitals in the northern Vanni region in indiscriminate artillery and aerial attacks, Human Rights Watch said today. Commanders responsible for ordering or conducting such attacks may be prosecuted for war crimes.

Patients, medical staff, aid workers, and other witnesses have provided Human Rights Watch with information about at least 30 attacks on permanent and makeshift hospitals in the combat area since December 2008. One of the deadliest took place on May 2, when artillery shells struck Mullaivaikal hospital in the government-declared "no-fire zone," killing 68 persons and wounding 87.

"Hospitals are supposed to be sanctuaries from shelling, not targets," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "While doctors and nurses struggle to save lives in overcrowded and underequipped facilities, Sri Lankan army attacks have hit one hospital after another."

Human Rights Watch has criticized both the Sri Lankan armed forces and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for numerous violations of the laws of war during the recent fighting. Tens of thousands of civilians have been held as "human shields" by LTTE forces on a narrow strip of land on Sri Lanka's northeast coast.

As Sri Lankan army forces have advanced, the LTTE has unlawfully forced the civilian population along with them in retreat. Hospital staff have increasingly been compelled to leave permanent hospitals to set up makeshift hospitals in LTTE-controlled areas. Several independent sources informed Human Rights Watch that each time a hospital was established in a new location, the doctors transmitted GPS coordinates of the facility to the Sri Lankan government to ensure that the facility would be protected from military attack. Medical staff said that, on several occasions, attacks occurred on the day after the coordinates had been transmitted.

An aid worker described to Human Rights Watch an aerial attack on Valayanmadam hospital in the no-fire zone on April 2:

"I was in the hospital. Right after 12:30 p.m., I noticed a Sri Lanka military drone conducting reconnaissance above the hospital. The people in the hospital suspected that an attack was imminent, so they lay down on the ground. Shortly thereafter, we heard a loud explosion in the air, followed by several smaller explosions on the ground. One of the explosions took place only a couple of meters from me. One of the doctors, who was lying just next to me, was killed by a shrapnel piece that hit him in the head. Four or five people were killed and more than 30 were wounded in the attack."

Medical staff said that makeshift hospitals that have been hit were clearly marked as medical facilities. For example, after repeated attacks on the hospital at Puthukkudiyiruppu, an LTTE stronghold, the hospital was evacuated to a school in Putumattalan, across the Nanthikadal lagoon in the no-fire zone. Witnesses said the hospital was marked with a large red cross on one of the buildings facing Sri Lankan army positions across the lagoon, and a red-cross flag flew at the entrance. A person who fled across the lagoon in late March told Human Rights Watch that the red-cross signs were clearly visible from the government positions across the lagoon, about a kilometer away. Yet, the hospital came under attack on several occasions.

A medical worker told Human Rights Watch that when the Putumattalan hospital came under heavy shelling around midnight on April 20, he immediately sought cover in a bunker. He described what he saw after he left the shelter early in the morning:

"The roof of the building was destroyed and tiles had fallen into the room. The operations ward had disappeared completely. There were eight dead bodies in Ward 5, and five dead bodies in the admission ward, all of them patients who had been admitted with injuries from previous attacks. Injured people were still coming to the hospital, but the medical staff was not able to provide any medical treatment. I have no idea how many dead and injured there were in total. I just counted 13 dead bodies in two of the five wards and then I left."

Since mid-February, the International Committee of the Red Cross has evacuated more than 13,000 wounded and their caregivers from the war zone by sea. Permanent and makeshift hospitals within LTTE-controlled territory continue to receive hundreds of patients daily. Many arrive wounded from the fighting, while others are sick due to inadequate sanitation, and acute shortages of food and clean water.

Witness accounts suggest that in some cases the Sri Lankan military attacks may have been targeted at LTTE forces present in the vicinity of the hospitals, yet in other cases witnesses said there were no LTTE forces anywhere near the hospitals.

Hospitals, whether permanent or temporary, are specially protected under international humanitarian law. Like other civilian structures, they may not be targeted. Under the Geneva Conventions, hospitals remain protected unless they are "used to commit hostile acts" that are outside their humanitarian function. Even then, they are only subject to attack after a warning has been given setting a reasonable time limit, and after such warning has gone unheeded. The presence of LTTE medical workers or injured combatants does not affect the civilian character of medical facilities.

LTTE forces who deploy among civilians or near hospitals are violating the laws of war by unnecessarily placing civilians at risk. However, violations by one party to an armed conflict do not justify violations by the other.

Under the laws of war, parties to a conflict must take all feasible precautions to ensure that a target of attack is a military objective and not a civilian object. Attacks that do not discriminate between military targets and civilian objects are prohibited. Individuals who order or carry out unlawful attacks willfully - that is, deliberately or recklessly - are responsible for war crimes. States are obligated under the laws of war to investigate alleged war crimes and prosecute those responsible.

"Repeated Sri Lankan artillery attacks striking known hospitals is evidence of war crimes," said Adams. "The government cannot hide behind LTTE atrocities to justify their own unlawful acts."

Human Rights Watch said Sri Lanka's key donors - including the United States, the European Union, India, Japan, and China - should strengthen calls for the Sri Lankan government to cease the use of heavy weapons in densely populated areas, particularly near hospitals. Both the government and the LTTE should permit safe humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to flee the combat zone.

Human Rights Watch reiterated its call for the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka to be urgently taken up by a formal meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York and by a special session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

ICRC News Release - Sri Lanka: third ICRC staff member killed in conflict area

ICRC News Release No. 09/100

13 May 2009

Sri Lanka: third ICRC staff member killed in conflict area

Geneva/Colombo (ICRC) – A staff member of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was killed by shrapnel today near Mullivaikal, in the coastal area held by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). His mother died in the same incident, which occurred around noon. This is the third time in just over two months that an ICRC employee has been killed inside the conflict zone.

"We are deeply saddened by the news of the deaths of our friend and colleague Sivakurunathan Majuran and of his mother, and extend our heartfelt condolences to their family and friends," said Paul Castella, the ICRC's head of delegation in Colombo. "This latest tragic incident shows how dangerous it is for everyone in the area."

Mr Majuran was 31 years old. He began working for the ICRC in October 2005 as a member of the water and habitat team. He was married and the father of a five-year-old child. His wife and child are still in the conflict zone; their fate is currently unknown.

Two other ICRC water technicians, Vadivel Vijayakumar and Sinnathurai Kugathasan, who had been involved in ICRC evacuations of sick and wounded people from the conflict area, were killed by shrapnel on 4 March and on 8 April, respectively.

The ICRC is striving to continue to bring food to people trapped in the conflict zone and to evacuate patients. However, intense and uninterrupted fighting prevented it from carrying out these life-saving activities yesterday and today, 12 and 13 May. A new attempt will be made tomorrow.

SRI LANKA: UN OFFICIALS DENOUNCE IMPACT OF CONFLICT ON CHILDREN

SRI LANKA: UN OFFICIALS DENOUNCE IMPACT OF CONFLICT ON CHILDREN
New York, May 12 2009 3:00PM
United Nations officials today voiced their distress at the impact on children of the ongoing conflict in northern Sri Lanka, urging both the Government and Tamil rebels to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable.

Thousands of civilians, including many children, have been killed or injured in the fighting since the beginning of the year, the UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_49652.html">UNICEF) noted in a news release.

UNICEF's Regional Director for South Asia, Daniel Toole, said that with an estimated 50,000 civilians trapped in the conflict zone – a tiny space of just a few square kilometres – the agency fears that many more children will be killed if the current Government offensive continues and if the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) refuses to allow civilians to leave.

"This latest surge in fighting is a catastrophe for children and shows a complete disregard for these most vulnerable of civilians," said Mr. Toole.

UNICEF reiterated its appeal to the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE to allow civilians to leave the conflict zone and to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict said today she is "horrified" at the deteriorating crisis in Sri Lanka and its serious toll on children.

"The current situation is dreadful and cannot continue. Children should not be held hostage, recruited as child soldiers and put in harm's way," stressed Radhika Coomaraswamy.

She added that all children should immediately be released by the LTTE and placed in a protected area with their primary caregivers, away from the fighting. In addition, both the rebels and the Government should refrain from using artillery and observe military forbearance.

Ms. Coomaraswamy is negotiating with the Government to allow a special envoy to visit Sri Lanka to assess the situation of children first hand.

UN spokesperson Farhan Haq reported that fighting in the conflict zone is continuing. Shelling of the makeshift hospital in Mullivaikkal today reportedly resulted in loss of life and injuries among civilians.

In the last 48 hours, just over 1,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have crossed from the conflict zone and reached Omanthai, adding to the more than 196,000 people that have crossed to the Government-controlled areas so far.

The World Food Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/countries/sri-lanka">WFP) said today it is providing food assistance to more than 190,000 people in temporary transit centres in Vavuniya and Jaffa districts.

At the same time, today's shipment of 25 metric tons of WFP food commodities dispatched to the conflict zone from Trincomalee did not reach the area due to intense fighting.
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UN CHIEF ‘APPALLED’ BY WEEKEND DEATH TOLL IN SRI LANKAN CONFLICT

UN CHIEF 'APPALLED' BY WEEKEND DEATH TOLL IN SRI LANKAN CONFLICT
New York, May 11 2009 3:00PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said he was appalled at the killing of hundreds of Sri Lankan civilians caught in the middle of hostilities between the army and separatist Tamil rebels over the weekend.

The raging conflict in the north of the South Asian nation between Government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has claimed thousands of lives in the past several months, Mr. Ban said in a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3839">statement attributable to his spokesperson.

Voicing deep concern over the continued use of heavy weapons in the conflict zone, a shrinking pocket of land on the northern coastline, he stressed that the "reckless disrespect shown by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the safety of civilians has led to thousands of people remaining trapped in the area."

Mr. Ban pressed both sides, in the strongest terms possible, to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law, reminding them that the world is watching events in Sri Lanka closely.

He said that the LTTE must allow the remaining civilians in the conflict zone – estimated by the UN to be over 50,000 – to leave immediately, and urged the Government to bring the conflict to an end "without further bloodshed."

The Secretary-General stressed that the terms for halting the military offensive must be made public and the LTTE must "give sober and positive consideration of those terms."

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA) said today that 900 civilians reportedly escaped from the conflict zone in Mullaitivu and most have reached Omanthai. So far, over 196,000 people have crossed to the Government-controlled areas from the conflict zone.
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URGENT INTERNATIONAL SCRUTINY NEEDED IN SRI LANKA, SAY UN RIGHTS EXPERTS

URGENT INTERNATIONAL SCRUTINY NEEDED IN SRI LANKA, SAY UN RIGHTS EXPERTS
New York, May 8 2009 11:00AM
A group of independent United Nations experts today called on the Human Rights Council to urgently set up an international inquiry to address the "critical" situation in Sri Lanka amid fighting between the army and Tamil rebels.

"There is an urgent need to establish an international commission of inquiry to document the events of recent months and to monitor ongoing developments," the experts dealing with summary executions, right to health, right to food and water and sanitation said in a joint statement issued in Geneva.

Philip Alston, Anand Grover, Olivier De Schutter and Catarina de Albuquerque said the current humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka gives cause for deep concern, not only in terms of the number of civilians who have been and continue to be killed, but because of a dramatic lack of transparency and accountability.

"There is good reason to believe that thousands of
civilians have been killed in the past three months alone, and yet the Sri Lankan Government has yet to account for the casualties, or to provide access to the war zone for journalists and humanitarian monitors of any type," said Mr. Alston, the UN expert on summary executions.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says over 196,000 people have fled the conflict zone, a shrinking pocket of land on the north-east coastline, where clashes continue between Government troops and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), while at least 50,000 people are still trapped there.

The experts stressed that "continuing catastrophic situation of civilians" in Sri Lanka trapped in the midst of the fighting, in an area measuring less than 10 square kilometres, must be immediately addressed.

"These civilians do not have sufficient access to food, essential medical supplies or services and safe water and sanitation. Even if they do escape death or injury at the ha
nds of the hostile parties, their continued presence in this area without access to these basic rights is an effective death sentence," declared the experts.

They said shipments of food and medicine to the so-called 'no-fire zone' have been "grossly insufficient" over the past month and the Government has reportedly delayed or denied timely shipment of life saving medicines as well as chlorine tablets.

The experts noted that as a result of the "blackout on independent information sources," it is impossible to verify any of the Government's claims as to the number of casualties to date or as to the steps that it says it is taking in order to minimize the further killing of innocent civilians, and ensure aid delivery.

"When people manage to escape, they reportedly continue to face scant supplies, entirely insufficient access to adequate medical treatment and severely overcrowded hospitals, providing no relief to the horrors they had been living," said Mr. Grover, the UN expert on t
he right to health.

Mr. De Schutter, the UN expert on the right to food, added that access to food has also been hampered by arduous and lengthy registration procedures for the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Meanwhile, Ms. de Albuquerque, the UN expert on water and sanitation, voiced concern about "water shortages reported at Omanthai and at most of the transit sites as well as inadequate sanitation facilities, which put the health and lives of the population at further risk."

The group called on the Sri Lankan Government to provide "convincing evidence" to the international community that it is respecting its obligations under human rights and international humanitarian law.

They added that it is clear that the LTTE, for its part, has acted in "flagrant violation" of the applicable norms by preventing civilians from leaving the conflict area and having reportedly shot and killed those trying to flee.

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