The International Commission of Jurists
condemns today's attack on the head of the Sri Lankan Army, Lt Gen Sarath
Fonseka and the deaths of his five guards and three civilians, reportedly
by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber. The ICJ also
condemns the Sri Lankan government's retaliatory strike against LTTE held
areas. These attacks are a consequence of the escalating violence in the
North and the East of the island, which has resulted in the deaths of over
100 people, including at least 25 civilians, in the last three weeks. These
attacks are blatant violations of the Ceasefire Agreement.
The ICJ is extremely concerned about
the persistent violations of the Ceasefire Agreement, which continue to
be committed by the LTTE and the government forces in violation of International
Humanitarian Law. The ICJ remains extremely concerned about the killings
and attacks against the civilian population. Indeed, in the last three
weeks many Tamil and Sinhalese civilians have been killed and Tamil businesses
attacked. The persistent mine attacks against Sri Lankan forces contribute
to the deterioration of peace efforts and the escalation of violence. The
ICJ calls on both parties to fully respect the Ceasefire Agreement and
to conform with International Humanitarian Law. The ICJ further calls on
the Sri Lankan authorities to promptly and effectively investigate these
crimes, attacks and breaches of the Ceasefire Agreement and to bring the
perpetrators to justice.
For further information, please contact Priyam Yarnell in Geneva (+ 41 22 979 38 00).