Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Colombo (Agenzia Fides) - In a telephone conversation with Fides the Papal Nuncio in Sri Lanka Archbishop Antonio Zenari outlined a situation of civil war and growing uncertainty and fear. “The situation is uncertain and tense, especially in north the north where families say their children are being taken to be soldiers and sent to fight in the front line. The sides continue to fight and plan more war operations. We are praying to Our Lady of Madhu, Our Lady Queen of Peace, to intercede to obtain the precious gift of peace and social reconciliation” the Archbishop said.
According to the Jesuit Refugee Service local office, most of the casualties are civilians. In a recent intensive army operation Island against the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to regain possession of the eastern side of the country, many were killed or made homeless. Observers are unable to monitor or assess the number of civilians killed.
The JRS and other humanitarian agencies are assisting thousands of families with shelter and food. In the past 12 months they say that at least 1,500 people have been killed and 250,000 more displaced. However JRS says humanitarian organisations are not allowed into the conflict areas.
“The condition of civilians is deplorable”, says JRS South Asia delegate Paul Newman. “They are the first to suffer. Many are killed, others survive but are robbed of homes and livelihood. The International Community must do something to stop this violation of human rights and bring the sides back to dialogue. For example presence of international observers would stop the warring parties from committing acts of abuse” Newman said.
In Sri Lanka JRS runs programmes for education, humanitarian assistance, professional training, culture of human rights for over 60,000 people including many children. Moreover UNICEF denounces that LTTE rebels and the separatists considered allies of the Colombo government continue to train minors for front line combat. The head of the UNICEF mission in Sri Lanka Joanna Van Gerpen, spoke of 1,591 confirmed cases of child soldiers fighting in the ranks of the LTTE and another 198 cases fighting with the Karuna.
The executive of Mahinda Rajapaksa is under international pressure with regard to violation of human rights by the Sri Lanka armed forces. The UN says that at least 5,600 minors have been recruited in the past five years most of them about 16 years old, but some much younger. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/7/2007 righe 30 parole 304)
