Continued killing of civilians higlights need for humanitarian ceasefire
by The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA)
Bhavani Fonseka, Senior Researcher at the Centre for Policy Alternatives, highlights grave humanitarian concerns in the Vanni and notes that despite the Government's assurances that it had put a halt to heavy artillery fire, hospitals were still being targeted and civilians were being killed. Backing growing local and international calls for a humanitarian ceasefire, she also speaks of civilians held hostage by and under fire from the LTTE. Bhavani goes on to outline what civil society and the international community can do to stop the on-going military offensives and help with the needs of the displaced.
This interview complements A Profile of Human Rights and Humanitarian Issues in the Vanni and Vavuniya, a report published in March 2009 with several key human rights and humanitarian issues presented through a rights framework. It discusses the situation in the Vanni; the security and humanitarian issues in Vavuniya; screening, separation and medical care in government controlled areas; the situation within IDP camps in Vavuniya; the humanitarian response and the level of disaster preparedness; and concerns over long term plans for the Vanni IDPs.