In a statement issued following an investigation by a panel of independent experts, the UN blames the government and the Tamil Tigers for the suffering of civilians.

civilians are intentionally targeted

In a report issued by UN special Rapporteur on extrajudicial and summary executions, Philip Alston, it says, "that civilians are not simply "caught in the crossfire" of the conflict: Rather, civilians are intentionally targeted for strategic reasons. Such killings are quintessentially human rights violations demanding a human rights response."

The report also state concern about the plight of humanitarian workers. "The deliberate targeting of humanitarian workers is a serious violation of the basic principles of international human rights and humanitarian law and the Declaration of Human Rights Defenders."

"In the face of that reality, the responsibility of the Government to extend effective protection to humanitarian workers is heightened." - UN

The UN statement urges an independent investigation on the killing of 17 humanitarian workers in Eastern Sri Lanka. "We urge the Government to ensure immediate and independent investigations are carried out into these killings and that the perpetrators of these despicable acts are brought to justice. We therefore welcome the Government's strong condemnation of the murders."

The statement also expresses concern about the activities of the Tamil Tigers."The recent spike in fighting is also related to the closing of sluice gates of a water reservoir south of the eastern Muslim-dominated town of Muttur, halting the water supply to vast areas of farm land in government controlled territory, and thus threatening the livelihoods of the farmers in the area. We welcome the recent reopening of the sluice gates."

deliberate targeting of civilians

Recent fighting and its affects on the population in the area has come in to the attention of the UN. "According to the most recent reports, more than 50,000 out of the 63,690 inhabitants of the district have fled their homes and villages. A large proportion of those displaced are part of the Muslim community."

The statement concludes asking both parties to refrain from further fighting. "We strongly urge the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to immediately halt the violence, the deliberate targeting of civilians and promptly return to negotiations to solve this current impasse."