ICRC WATCHING : VIOLATION OF INTL HUMANITARIAN LAW;MISSING PERSONS;ARBITARY ARRESTS; CHILD RECRUITS; UNLAWFUL KILLINGS; ILL-TREATMENT OF CIVILIANS!!!

ICRC ‘extremely’ concerned, no safe passage for patients

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is “extremely” concerned that no safe passage has been arranged since January 9 between LTTE controlled areas and government controlled areas for patients and health staff to travel.
According to a report by the ICRC this has put at risk the lives of patients who cannot receive suitable treatment on the spot and therefore need to be transferred to Vavuniya Hospital, in government-controlled territory.

Fighting has prevented relief supplies from reaching the population in the Wanni for the past five days. "Civilians in the Wanni are weary from the conflict. Repeated displacements, often involving the loss of their personal belongings, have taken a toll on them. Nevertheless, their ability to cope has been remarkable," said Paul Castella, the ICRC's head of delegation. "The ICRC is committed to stay at their side as long as there are needs to address"

Because of ongoing combat operations and the moving front line, tens of thousands of displaced civilians are concentrated in an area so small that there are serious concerns for their physical safety and living conditions, in particular in terms of hygiene.

In addition, the ICRC has to negotiate safe passage over a distance of up to 30 kilometres between government- and LTTE-held areas with the parties every day (between 2002, when the ceasefire was signed, and November 2008, guarantees of safe passage were needed only for travel on a 300-metre stretch of road). The new situation has made it necessary for the ICRC to bring in more international and national staff to manage the convoys and communicate with the parties on the ground.

The ICRC also negotiates with the parties to the conflict to arrange for the safe passage of ambulances transferring patients and health professionals back and forth between the various medical facilities in LTTE-held areas and Vavuniya.

A major concern of the ICRC is to ensure that civilians, the sick and wounded and medical personnel receive the protection to which they are entitled under international humanitarian law. The organization has reminded the parties to the conflict repeatedly – in recent days especially – of their obligation to protect persons not taking part in the hostilities.

Meanwhile ICRC says in the districts of Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi, more and more civilians abandoned their homes and shelters and fled combat areas in December. Unfortunately, there is almost no area left in that part of the country where people can be safe from the ongoing hostilities.

"Families heading westward in search of safety are encountering other families moving eastward with the same aim," said Mr Castella.

Heavy rains that fell on the Wanni in December damaged shelters and roads and destroyed millions of rupees' worth of food crops, thus posing further challenges for the displaced population.

Existing health-care facilities are managing to cope with the basic health needs of the civilian population despite a lack of personnel and other constraints.

The ICRC continues to monitor possible violations of international humanitarian law affecting civilians throughout the country. When necessary, it makes representations to the authorities concerning missing persons, arbitrary arrests, under-age recruitment, unlawful killings and ill-treatment of civilians or detainees by weapon bearers. Allegations of violations are discussed confidentially with the parties to the conflict.
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