No More Protectors: Havoc In Wanni

by Thangavelu Velupillai

(September 10, Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka Guardian) The excuse trotted by the GoSL is that they can no longer ensure the safety of aid workers in Vanni, This is a subtle threat and a reminder that if the NGOs refuse to relocate they too will meet the same fate as the 17 aid workers attached to the French charity Action Contre le Faim. These aid workers were murdered by the Sri Lankan armed forces on August 04, 2006.

The intention of the GoSL is very clear. It wants to mount military attacks on un-armed civilian population living in Vanni. It wants to justify their killings by taking refuge under subterfuge. It is a sinister military cum political manoeuvre.

The order by the GoSL clearly infringes Humanitarian Law and Geneva conventions, accepted on August the 12th, 1949. The Fourth Convention deals with - civilians in times of war. It says inter-alia that “the parties to a conflict must at all times distinguish between the civilian population and combatants in order to spare the civilian population and civilian property. Neither the civilian population as whole nor individual civilians may be attacked. Attacks may be made solely against military objectives.”

The two Additional Protocols of 1977 supplement the Conventions which aim to limit the use of violence and protect the civilian population by strengthening the rules governing the conduct of hostilities.

The Conventions and Additional Protocols mandate the ICRC as the initiator and the guardian of international humanitarian law.

We want to emphasize the fact that these NGOs are expelled from war-torn Vanni at a time when their services are needed to address the humanitarian needs of more than 225,000 IDPs. These IDPs from Mannar and Mullaitheevu districts are languishing in varying degrees of deprivation and degradation sans accommodation and other basic needs.

According to news reports instead of standing up to the bullying tactics of the GoSL, the UN is meekly complying with the order by relocating humanitarian staff to government controlled territory beginning this week.

The way out of the situation is for the UN to ask the GoSL and the LTTE to create peace zones for the housing of IDPs and NGOs. Any withdrawal by the NGOs from Vanni will spell disaster of the first magnitude for the IDPs who depend wholly on their humanitarian assistance. The WFP provides 80% of their food needs.

We want to remind your Excellency that Mahinda Rajapakse is not only at war with the LTTE, he is at war with the media, international human rights organisations, NGOs, humanitarian agencies and its Western allies. He feels no shame to claim he is the President of the Sinhalese – Buddhists only. His fanatical adherence to his race, religion, language, morals and political and military power based on the firm belief that these are superior to anyone else’s.

We appeal to the Secretary General to take immediate steps to prevent the human tragedy looming over Vanni.
- Sri Lanka Guardian