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UN’s
Lankan Representative exposes LTTE child conscription Mr. Kariyawasam mentioned how children were being forced to join armed conflict in many Third World countries. He mentioned that recruitment of children as combatants in Sri Lanka consisted of four grave violations, namely (i) attacks against schools and civilian centres; (ii) abduction of children; (iii) denial of humanitarian access for children; and (iv) use of children in armed conflict. He emphasized that there should be a sustained focus on all the inter-connected violations to prevent their recurrence. “This does not mean that we shut the doors of dialogue with insurgent groups. A pragmatic balance should be struck between implementing the mandate of the Special Representative that warrants a dialogue and the overriding obligation under international law, to protect children and to halt systematic violations as well as the need to promote international peace and security. The time has also come for the UN to actively promote a policy of zero tolerance against these violators. In this regard, we commend the international human rights community, especially the Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers and other NGOs, for their example of giving leadership in this field,” Mr. Kariyawasam said. “UNICEF and national and international human rights organizations have widely reported that there has been a sharp increase in such recruitment in recent months. Children have been often removed against their will from schools or tsunami welfare centres. Parents or guardians are not allowed access to them. There is also evidence that the access to schools and other civilian centres for conscription purposes is obtained through threat or pressure. Only a week ago, two principals in Jaffna were gunned down. My delegation views such situations as blatant attacks against schools or civilian centres. These acts therefore fall into the category of grave systematic violations as classified by the Report of the Special Representative,” he said. |
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