Amnesty International Calls for Urgent Protection of Civilians Amidst Return to Hostilities in Sri Lanka
16 Jan 2008 01:01 Africa/Lagos Amnesty International Calls for Urgent Protection of Civilians Amidst Return to Hostilities in Sri Lanka WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Amnesty International is gravely concerned that the end to the Ceasefire Agreement between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) today will lead to an increase in hostilities that will result in a dramatic rise in indiscriminate attacks against the civilian population. "The end of the ceasefire is likely to unleash fresh violence that will lead to serious human rights abuses, including an increase in enforced disappearances and abductions as a counter-insurgency strategy, as well as unlawful killings. We call on both parties involved in the conflict to return to a genuine implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement and to uphold the protection of civilians at all times," said Catherine Baber, Asia-Pacific program director. "The withdrawal of the Sri L...