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  INDICTMENT AGAINST SRI LANKA
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS CONTINUE
AT AN ALARMING RATE - 1992
''Team members of the Canadian Human Rights Mission to Sri
Lanka were alarmed by the extent of human rights violations and
the enormous human cost of the conflict. Equally distressing was
the fact that the severity of the situation is so little known or
addressed by the international community...
Human rights violations continue to occur in Sri Lanka at an
alarming rate... Most distressing was the failure of the
government to acknowledge the level of human rights abuses
occurring in the country...
It was apparent to team members that many Tamils are genuinely
grateful for the protection provided to them by the LTTE...
Contributing to the problems in Sri Lanka is a climate of
repression. Electronic media is state controlled. The print media
is largely used to a significant extent to promote the government
point of view or give voice to Buddhist chauvinistic opinions.
There seemed to be little public participation in the political
process.''
The organisations who are signatories to this letter have all
had a direct interest in programmes in Sri Lanka in recent years.
We are writing out of humanitarian concern for the innocent
civilians in the north of Sri Lanka, suffering not only from the
effects of war but also from the continuing military blockade and
the shortage of food, medicine, and fuel. We are also writing to
the LTTE.
Our immediate concern is at reports of increased bombing in
the Jaffna area. There is no doubt that this will involve
civilian casualties, loss of live and increased suffering. Short
of ending the war, we would, at the very least, urge you to
ensure that innocent civilians do not become targets, and that
all possible steps are taken to protect civilians in the North,
and in Jaffna in particular.
We appeal to you to respect international standards on the
conduct of warfare, particularly those designed to protect people
who are not or are no longer taking an active part in the
conflict, in accordance with those articles and protocols of the
Geneva convention governing internal conflicts.
The wide disparity between the Sri Lankan Government's
numbers of detainees and those of independent NGOs is a cause of
grave concern. We would urge that all possible steps are taken to
ensure that all detainees in both official and
"unofficial" places of detention be allowed access to
the ICRC and their rights under international laws and
conventions be respected.
Yours sincerely
Michael Taylor
Director
on behalf of
Richard Miller, Assistant Director, CAFOD
Jane Winder, Director, One World Action
Alf Dubs, Director, The Refugee Council
Giampi Aldaheff, Director, War on Want Campaigns Ltd
"The Sri Lanka Army encamped at Mullaitivu launched
artillery shell attacks directed towards the Amman Temple at
Vattrapalai on Monday, May 18 1992 - when thousands of Hindu
devotees had congregated at the temple for the annual Pongal
festival.
The report in this connection states that the Vattrapalai
Amman temple situated about 2 miles away from Mullaitivu Army
Camp along the sea beach is a Hindu temple of antiquity where an
annual Pongal festival is held. Hindus from all parts of the
island congregate at Vattrapalai Amman Temple for this annual
event.
This year the festival took place on Monday, May 18 ...Towards
noon shells launched from the Sri Lankan Army Camp at Mullaitivu
exploded first near the beach and the large crowd became panicky
and started running from the temple premises. Many people were
injured in the stampede that followed.
One shell exploded near a bicycle stand and ten persons
died on the spot. Five others died while being rushed for
treatment. The Red Cross was on duty at the temple premises in
connection with the festival. Two Red Cross Volunteers -
Shanmugalingam (46) and Rajanimal (19) died. A third female nurse
volunteer of the Red Cross Society. R. Suganthinidevi suffered
serious injuries.
The Hindu Federation has severely criticised the wanton attack
on the temple premises and said the Army action is consistent
with the previous history of destruction of Hindu temples by the
Sri Lankan Armed forces. Another report adds that the Temple
authorities had earlier informed the Army of the impending
festival. (Tamil Nation Monthly, June 1992)
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