topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2119.63 0.01
DAX 6334.88 -0.08
IBEX 30 6416.8 -1.93
CAC 40 3048.26 0.01
FTSE 100 5359.57 0.15
AEX 293 0.08
DJIA 12454.83 -0.60
Nasdaq 2837.53 -0.07
FTSE MIB 13078.51 -0.58
TSX Composite 11549.98 -0.23
ASX 4120.2 0.96
Hang seng 18800.99 0.47
Straits Times 2787.22 0.52
ISEQ 20 502.01 0.21
You are here: Home News European News EU calls for enquiry into Sri Lanka conflict

European News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


19/05/2009EU calls for enquiry into Sri Lanka conflict

The EU is calling for an independent enquiry into alleged human rights violation during the Sri Lanka conflict that has left many innocent civilians dead.

Brussels – The European Union on Monday called for an independent enquiry into alleged human rights violations during the conflict between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels in northern Sri Lanka.

EU foreign ministers, in an agreed statement, said the European Union was "appalled by the loss of innocent civilian lives as a result of the conflict and by the high numbers of casualties, including children."

The 27-nation bloc called on the Sri Lankan government and all other involved parties "to urgently proceed towards a comprehensive political process".

The statement, issued as EU foreign ministers held talks in Brussels, stressed the need for both sides "to fully respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law."

The European Union "calls for the alleged violations of these laws to be investigated through an independent inquiry. Those accountable must be brought to justice," the statement added.

At the same time Sri Lanka's army chief announced all combat operations against the Tamil Tigers had ended with the last rebels defeated and all territory captured. The state television showed what it said was the corpse of rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran in response to the Tigers' announcement that the guerrilla leader was still alive and well, and that they would continue fighting for a separate Tamil homeland.

The separatist rebels were once one of the world's most feared guerrilla armies, and ran a de facto mini-state spanning a third of the island before the government began a major offensive two years ago.

The LTTE Tamil Tigers emerged in the 1970s, with all-out war erupting in the early 1980s.

The conflict has left more than 70,000 dead from pitched battles, suicide attacks, bomb strikes and assassinations.

AFP / Expatica


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating



0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Television in France

Buy fake passports, driver's licenses, identity cards

Eating & Drinking in France

Buy fake passports, driver's licenses, identity cards

Humour in France

Buy fake passports, driver's licenses, identity cards

Shopping in France

Buy fake passports, driver's licenses, identity cards

Films, Shows & Events in France

Buy fake passports, driver's licenses, identity cards

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Management culture in France

Management culture in France

This handy guide from Expertise in Labour Mobility includes information on business hierarchy, negotiations, and etiquette.

American associations and clubs in Paris

American associations and clubs in Paris

A listing of organizations in the Paris area that cater primarily to Americans living in France. Updated April 2011.

British associations and clubs in Paris

British associations and clubs in Paris

Our handy guide to the British community in Paris, from cricket clubs to Scottish country dancing lessons to where to find a jar of Marmite.

Anglophone services in France

Anglophone services in France

Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in France, from how to open a bank account to Islamic banking and investments.