A delegation of five British MPs who were on a two days fact finding mission in Sri Lanka urged the Sri Lankan government to use maximum restraint in their ongoing operations, including by upholding their commitment to refrain from the use of heavy weapons.
The delegation also urged all parties without delay to facilitate the agreement to allow the UN to visit the conflict zone to assess the humanitarian needs of the people there and to plan the evacuation of the remaining civilians.Des Browne, the delegation's chairman in a statement released on Wednesday said "We came without preconception and have listened to a range of opinions on the conflict and current humanitarian situation. Our primary concern is for those civilians who remain trapped in the conflict zone and are living in terrible conditions."
Browne was nominated in February as Britain's special envoy to Sri Lanka and was immediately rejected by Sri Lanka as an unnecessary interference in country's internal matters.
The delegation of five Des Browne (Labour), John Bercow (Conservative), Malcolm Bruce (Liberal Democrat), Eddie McGrady (Social Democratic) and Mohammad Sarwar (Labour) visited IDP facilities in Vavuniya and met President Rajapakse, Foreign Minister Bogollogama, APRC Chairman Professor Vitharana, other Government Ministers, senior officials, opposition political parties, civil society and humanitarian agencies.
Des Browne in his statement further said, we recognise the scale of the challenge facing the Government in delivering humanitarian relief to all civilians in the north, including those in IDP camps, those in screening centres and rehabilitation camps and those in the conflict zone itself. We support the work they are doing in conjunction with the ICRC, UN and other humanitarian actors to assist IDPs and civilians affected by the conflict. We urge them to continue to improve access by international agencies thereby increasing capacity to minister to the identified needs of civilians.
We visited the IDP camps in Vavuniya. We saw the considerable efforts the Government is making to accommodate and assist IDPs who have left the conflict zone. We spoke to a number of people in the camps who expressed their genuine relief at having escaped the LTTE and reached a place of safety. It is clear that IDPs in camps are much better off than their friends and relatives who remain in the conflict zone. Many of the civilians we spoke to also raised concerns about conditions in the camps and their ability to access humanitarian assistance. We encourage the Government to maintain their commitment to full implementation of the recommendations made by Walter Kaelin, Representative of the UN Secretary-General on the Human Rights of IDPs, during his recent visit. In particular we stress the need for civilians to be able to leave the camps to return to their homes or to stay with family or friends as soon as possible. We stand ready to support the Government’s commitment to resettle 80% of the IDP population by the end of the year."
The two days visit that ended on Tuesday seems apparently a cordial one compared to the British Secretary's visit, which sparked some verbal lashing by the Sri Lankan defence secretary. The government has repeatedly refused such appeals, saying it would only give the Tamil Tigers time to regroup.
John Bercow pointed the need for independent media, the statement quote him saying "It is important not only that the Sri Lankan Government maintains its welcome commitment to refrain from using heavy weapons but that it is seen to do so. The lack of independent reporting from the conflict zone is oxygen to LTTE propaganda and generates unhelpful speculation. Well-evidenced, independent media reporting on the conflict would be extremely helpful in reassuring the international community that every measure is being taken to protect civilians in the conflict zone.”
Mohammad Sarwar commenting on the visit to Vavuniya said “The scale of the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka is enormous and civilian needs are extensive. The people we met in Vavuniya are no longer at risk from ongoing fighting and are now receiving basic humanitarian relief. We welcome the Government’s efforts to assist them and encourage them to take further immediate action to improve conditions for civilians outside the conflict zone. In particular, we urge the Government to allow the elderly, disabled and other vulnerable groups to leave the camps and to allow greater access for humanitarian agencies to the camps and to all screening sites. We call on the Government to improve the availability of medical supplies and medical care and sanitation facilities to those in IDP camps."
Malcolm Bruce expressed the need for political solution and said "A political solution that promotes an inclusive society where all communities feel represented and recognised will be vital to securing a final end to Sri Lanka’s long conflict. Like the Sri Lankan people we would celebrate an end to the ongoing hostilities. Our experience in conflict resolution suggests that unless the conflict is followed by a serious effort to address the concerns of the minority communities there will remain the risk of a return to conflict. We agree with those we met that there is a place for Sri Lankans of all communities in a peaceful Sri Lanka."
Eddie McGrady drew parallel with Northern Island and said "I have been a politician in Northern Ireland for over 30 years. The challenges that Sri Lanka faces today bear some similarities to the challenges the people of Northern Ireland faced in recent years in trying to reconcile two deeply divided communities after three decades of inter-communal violence. From my own experience the only realistic prospect for a sustainable peace is one that involves everyone and in which all communities have a stake. It was through such an inclusive process, aided by a sympathetic and supportive international community, that the people of Northern Ireland managed to end over thirty years of bitter violent conflict."
The responses from the Sri Lankan authorities for the appeals made by British delegates are not known yet. During earlier visits of the western delegates they said Sri Lanka knows how to protect its civilians and western teachings are not required.
News analyzed and edited by Tamil National[ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ]
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