16.8.2008

Amnesty International, an international watchdog agency on human rights, has pointed out that the LTTE is holding up thousands of families from moving to safer places by imposing a strict pass system and, in some instances, forcing some family members to stay behind to ensure the return of the rest of the family, essentially deploying civilians as a human shield in the face of the relentless forward movement of Sri Lanka's armed forces.
"These measures seem designed in part to use civilians as a buffer against government forces which is a serious violation of international humanitarian law," the release stated.

It was earlier reported that the LTTE had been carrying out a campaign among civilians, telling them to be prepared to move to the frontlines and help LTTE cadres evacuate their military equipments if forced to flee.

"The LTTE leadership has issued orders to artificially create a human-catastrophe in areas where security forces are now fighting the terrorists," defence authorities said.

Amnesty International also complained that those who had fled the LTTE's terror and were living in refugee camps in Government-controlled areas have been denied the freedom of movement, having to submit to a pass system.

Defence analysts have pointed out it is regrettable that Amnesty International and other such organizations, despite the good work they do, have little understanding of ground realities and in particular the modus operandi of terrorists organization and the realities and dangers of possible infiltration.

The Government meanwhile has taken all possible steps to ensure that the supply flow to IDPs goes without a hitch and UN agencies have confirmed that supply has kept pace with the changing demands on the ground.