UN says both parties are engaged in extrajudicial and political killings

Addressing the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN Human Rights Commissioner said extrajudicial and political killings continued in the island nation.

“As the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary killings will report to this session, scores of extrajudicial and political killings, allegedly committed by Government security forces, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and other armed elements, continued,” Louise Arbour said.

Internally Displaced People

Killings and disappearances are reported “each day” from the northern Sri Lankan town of Jaffna, according to the UN.

The Commissioner said 240,000 civilians have been displaced since April 2006.

The LTTE's persisting record of forced military recruitment, including children, is a major concern. Human rights violations by State security forces, and the failure of the Government to provide the protection of the rule of law to all its citizens also generate serious concerns Louise Arbour

Louise Arbour accused both parties of harassing and failing to protect the civilians caught in the conflict.

“The LTTE's persisting record of forced military recruitment, including children, is a major concern.

While LTTE abuses continue on a large scale, human rights violations by State security forces, and the failure of the Government to provide the protection of the rule of law to all its citizens also generate serious concerns”.

Impunity

Louise Arbour has welcomed the “commitment” of the government to probe the killings of 17 humanitarian workers in Muttur, on 04 August.

“In too many cases, however, investigations have failed to produce results and victims have been denied justice and redress,” she added.

The United Nations has urged the international community to actively take part in monitoring human rights violations.