Euro-MPs call for Sri Lankan ceasefire and aid to civilians (Newham Borough Liberal Democrats)

Newham Borough Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Euro-MPs call for Sri Lankan ceasefire and aid to civilians

March 13, 2009 5:38 PM
Originally published by Sarah Ludford MEP

The European Parliament has approved an urgent resolution on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka, where a civil war that has now spanned more than 2 decades has claimed more than 65,000 lives.

MEPs called for an immediate ceasefire between the warring Sri Lankan government forces and the Tamil Tigers (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, LTTE), to allow the civilian population to flee the combat zone, and an end to attacks on civilians.

The resolution follows a debate and resolution a month ago the EP debate and Resolution of 5th of February 2009 in which MEPs acknowledged reports from human rights organizations that human rights abuses have been committed by both the Tamil Tigers and Sri Lankan government forces.

London MEP Sarah Ludford, Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman, said:

"The immediate need is to secure the safety of the nearly quarter of a million trapped civilians. The severe lack of access of humanitarian aid workers has deprived them of the basic necessities of life. An immediate ceasefire under the supervision of impartial international peace monitors must take place."

"After that must begin the rebuilding of a democratic Sri Lanka where rule of law and respect for human rights is guaranteed. There have been shocking abuses, and military defeat of the Tamil Tigers will not obviate the need for enduring political solutions which address the need for constitutional devolution, non-discrimination and the attributes of a proper democracy such as a free press."