Minister for Foreign Affairs Calls for a Ceasefire in Sri Lanka

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Minister for Foreign Affairs Calls for a Ceasefire in Sri Lanka

Mr Micheál Martin, TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs, has expressed his profound concern about the humanitarian situation in war-ravaged Tamil areas in the north of Sri Lanka. He called on both parties to the conflict to cease hostilities without delay, to allow the local population to escape from the fighting and to access medical and humanitarian assistance:

‘I am deeply concerned by the plight of the war-ravaged Tamil population in the north of Sri Lanka, who are the innocent victims of the conflict between the Government of Sri Lanka and the rebel LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). Large numbers of men, women and children have been subjected to indiscriminate bombardment by government forces, while there is clear evidence that the LTTE has been blocking their escape and using them as human shields. Such blatant disregard for the lives of innocent civilians is indefensible and constitutes a serious breach of international humanitarian law. I fully endorse the call made jointly by the ‘Tokyo Co-Chairs’ of the former Sri Lankan peace process for both sides to declare at least a temporary cessation of hostilities to allow for the evacuation of the sick and wounded and the provision of aid to civilians, as well as for re-engagement in a political process to achieve a lasting solution to this 25-year-old struggle.’

Note for Editors

The Tokyo Co-Chairs refer to Norway, Japan, US and the EU.

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8^{th February 2009}

Press Office