Recommendations

To the government of Sri Lanka

Comply with international law when detaining people suspected of LTTE involvement;
Ensure that suspects are detained only by officials who are authorized to do so and that they properly identify themselves;
Charge suspects with a criminal offense or order their release;
Provide suspects the opportunity to challenge their detention before an independent judicial authority; an independent judicial authority should regularly review the lawfulness of those detained;
Promptly inform family members about the whereabouts of the detained relatives;
Ensure that detainees have access to legal counsel;

Grant the International Committee of the Red Cross access to all detention facilities, including “rehabilitation centers”;
Keep LTTE suspects and other detainees only in official places of detention;
Investigate alleged enforced disappearances, and prosecute those responsible, regardless of rank, for their involvement in them;
Clarify the legal and procedural status of “surrendees”, including child ex-combatants;
Grant UNICEF access to all detention facilities, including “rehabilitation centers” to assist in the assessment of the age of detainees;
Provide appropriate physical and psychological assistance to any detained children;
Separate detained children from detained adults, except in situations where it is considered in the child’s best interest not to do so;
Provide children with the means to maintain contact with their family through correspondence and visits.

Call upon the Sri Lankan government to comply with international law with regards to detention and treatment of LTTE suspects;
Support the government’s rehabilitation program and the rehabilitation centers only on condition that they either are truly voluntary or that detainees are granted all of their rights under international law.