(New York) - Human Rights abuses by both the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have fueled the conflict and must be directly addressed in the peace process, Human Rights Watch said today. Both parties should agree on human rights safeguards to help resolve two decades of bitter conflict over political control of the island's Tamil-dominated north and east. Face-to-face negotiations, though subject to repeated delays, are expected to be held in Thailand, possibly as early as July.
In a nine-page background paper released today, Human Rights Watch supported calls by Sri Lankan human rights defenders, peace activists, clergy, and academics for formal human rights commitments from both parties and the establishment of a system of independent human rights monitoring early in the process, before discussion of administrative arrangements get underway. The first round of talks is likely to focus on the establishment of an interim administration for the north and east; if talks succeed, the LTTE is expected to take a leading role in civil administration.
"This conflict has been driven by grave abuses of human rights on all sides," said Mike Jendrzejczyk, Washington Director for Asia at Human Rights Watch. "Ensuring that abuses stop must necessarily be central to its resolution." A cease-fire since last December has given civilians a much-needed respite from war-related violence and security restrictions that have inhibited their freedom of movement, crippled the local economy and promoted abuse. The lull also encouraged cautious new demands for democratic openness within the Tamil community -- long dominated by the LTTE's political agenda. But the LTTE has ratcheted up pressure on both civilians and critics, and hopes have faded that the cease-fire, negotiated with Norway acting as a mediator, would guarantee space for independent activity in the Tamil community.
"The role of independent monitors is crucial, and cannot be left in the hands of anyone with a political interest in the outcome of negotiations," said Jendrzejczyk. "Accountability for abuses is also important."
Despite repeated promises by the LTTE to end their use of child soldiers and to halt extortion of money and property from civilians in the north and east, these practices have continued. Human Rights Watch has received numerous reports of such incidents since February. Renewed promises made by the LTTE in June 2002 to stop recruiting children and to return all underage recruits to their families need to be closely monitored.
"The LTTE must end the recruitment of children for military purposes and their use in hostilities. Child soldiers should be demobilized, and given assistance to return to their communities," said Jendrzejczyk.
Human Rights Watch also pointed out the urgent need to eliminate or reform the government's Prevention of Terrorism Act and to release the hundreds of detainees held by the Sri Lankan authorities without trial under its draconian provisions. Most of these detainees are Tamils arrested on suspicion of links to the LTTE. Many of them were arrested months or even years ago pending investigation, with no evidence to support police suspicions beyond their own confessions - often extracted under torture.
