Sri Lanka: David Miliband calls for urgent humanitarian ceasefire

by Tamiya | April 2, 2009 at 03:17 pm

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British Foreign Secretary David Miliband urged the need for a humanitarian ceasefire to respond the catrastropic episods of violence the Tamils civilians faced during the current war.

He added that civilians sufferings are found in crdible reports. He noted in his report that he has been stressing for a ceasefire since January 14 with Sri Lankan President and Foreign Minister.

David Miliband calls for 'urgent humanitarian' ceasefire

In his statement he said, "despite the lack of verifiable reporting from the conflict area there are credible reports of civilians being killed and wounded every day, including in the 'no fire zone'. We condemn the killings of civilians in the strongest possible terms and continue to urge all parties to take action to avoid further civilian casualties. Both the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE must abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians at all times."

He further stated, "Sri Lanka continues to be discussed within the EU and we support a proposed EU high-level troika to Sri Lanka at the earliest opportunity."Windows Marketplace

He continued advocate for need of getting food and medicine to the Tamils civilians who are already facing dire situations in the refugee camps.

In addition to calling for a ceasefire we continue to call for unhindered access for humanitarian agencies to the civilians displaced by the fighting, including those still trapped in the conflict area. There is an urgent need to increase the quantity and frequency of food and medical shipments to those affected by the fighting. Humanitarian agencies - specifically the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross - also need unhindered access to enable independent observation of the security screening of civilians and the running of the IDP camps. It is vital that these camps are temporary and that the IDPs are returned to their homes as early as is safely possible. We urge the government of Sri Lanka to abide by its public commitment to return 80% of IDPs by the end of the year.

He expressed his discontent towards Sri Lanka's rejection of the UK's appointment of a special envoy to discuss political solution to Tamils in Sri Lanka.

The appointment by my right hon Friend the Prime Minister of my right hon Friend the Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Des Browne) as his Special Envoy to Sri Lanka was a measure of the UK's commitment to contribute to an improvement in the humanitarian situation and to the search for a sustainable political solution to the conflict. It should be seen as such. We have been disappointed that the government of Sri Lanka continues to reject the appointment, despite earlier assurances from the President that his government would engage with an envoy. We will continue to press the Sri Lankan government to reconsider. In the meantime my right hon Friend the Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun will engage with representatives of other countries, UN agencies, non-governmental organisations , parliamentarians and community representatives with an interest in Sri Lanka.