Human rights advocate warns of humanitarian catastrophe

(September 29, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Bianca Jagger, a prominent human rights activisit anouncing her support for the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace & Justice has warned of an "imminent humanitarian catastrophe", if action is not taken to resolve issues of the displaced persons.

"The imminent monsoon will create life threatening conditions in these camps, and risks causing a humanitarian catastrophe," she said referring to the IDPs.

She added: "The Government of Sri Lanka has less than 50 days to keep their promise to relocate Tamil civilians within their target of 180 days. So far there has been no sign that the Sri Lankan government will keep its promise. President Rajapaksa’s wanton disregard for human life is in clear violation of international humanitarian law. I urge UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and the international community to prevent this humanitarian catastrophe."

Amnesty International reports that the displaced people - including at least 50,000 children - are being accommodated in 41 camps spread over four districts. The majority of the displaced are in Vavuniya District where Manik Farm is the biggest camp.

Ms Jagger is the latest prominent figure to lend her support to the Sri Lanka Campaign. The campaign is chaired by Edward Mortimer, journalist and former Communications Director to Kofi Annan. Other members of the Advisory Council include Lakhdar Brahimi (a former high level UN envoy and member of the Elders - an

Bianca Jagger and the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace & Justice call on the international community and the Government of Sri Lanka to take the following actions immediately to alleviate this humanitarian catastrophe:

1. The UN, international Red Cross and voluntary agencies must be given full and unrestricted access to care for and protect the civilians in the camps, and help them return to wherever in their own country they choose to live. Meanwhile, these civilians should have their right to freedom of movement restored.

2. A list of all those still alive and in custody (in internment camps or elsewhere) should be published, so that families can stop searching for loved ones who are dead.

3. Those who continue to be detained as alleged LTTE combatants must be treated in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, and urgently given access to legal representation. ICRC should be given immediate access.

4. Accountability processes must be established to ensure that international aid is not diverted to purposes other than those for which it was given.

5. The Sri Lankan Government should allow conflict reconciliation specialists unhindered access to help rebuild lives and communities.

6. Sri Lanka should request or accept a full UN investigation into war crimes committed by all parties during the war

7. The UN Secretary General should appoint a Special Envoy to Sri Lanka.

Ms Jagger is Founder and President of the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation, a member of the Executive Directors Leadership Council of Amnesty International USA, and a Council of Europe Goodwill Ambassador. She has campaigned in defence of human

However the Sri Lankan government has claimed that almost all the displaced persons will be settled by end of January and the upcoming monsoon rains will not affect the displaced persons.

-Sri Lanka Guardian