11.4.2008
The
High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has strongly
condemned the suicide bombing which killed a Government
minister and at least 14 other people at the start of a
marathon in Sri Lanka, on April 6.
She
also extended her condolences to the bereaved families
of the Victims, as the funerals of the victims continued
to take place on Thursday, states the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Right's (OHCHR) in a press release.
"Such
violence shows a complete disregard for the right to life
and security of Sri Lankans, and breaches the most fundamental
principles of international law," Arbour said.
The
attack is alleged to have been committed by he Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which has been accused of
other recent attacks, including bombings of public transport
and in other public places.
"I
remind the LTTE and other armed groups that attacks which
directly or indiscriminately target civilians are crimes
under international law," High Commissioner said.
"Violent attacks on people taking no active part
in hostilities are strictly prohibited."
Such
acts of violence also undermine efforts for a meaningful
dialogue on improving the situation of the Tamil minority
in Sri Lanka, she said.
UN
welcomes TMVP move
The UN yesterday welcomed the release of 11 children from
the TMVP as a "step in the right direction,"
states a UN Press release.
Speaking
from Colombo, Neil Buhne, the Resident Coordinator and
the senior UN official in Sri Lanka noted the role played
by the Government in obtaining the release of the children.
"This
is an encouraging development from the TMVP, after lengthy
delays on this issue," said Buhne. "We will
continue to press for an end to the use of children by
both the TMVP and the LTTE, in accordance with Security
Council Resolution 1612".
Courtesy
: Daily News