No Mercy War

THE International Working Group on Sri Lanka (IWG), a consortium of over 100 international NGOs, launched a new initiative in January to end the “No Mercy War” in the island. The IWG wrote to President Kumaratunge and LTTE leader V Prabhakaran, stressing the need to respect humanitarian principles in the battle zones. The US State Department in its 1998 human rights report criticising both parties, notes that few prisoners are taken in the war. The LTTE made a commitment at the 1988 session of the Human Rights Commission to abide by the Geneva Conventions. IWG says that the Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA) discussed its initiative with Foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar during his visit to Canberra in January. Amidst demonstrations by Tamil residents, Mr Kadirgamar continued his international campaign against the LTTE, urging the Australian government to prevent fundraising for the Tigers. Australia has assured action against raising funds for terrorism under the cloak of social service, reports say.

In mid-January, Thai Army officers denied Mr Kadirgamar’s accusation that the LTTE has been allowed a base on Phuket Island on the west coast of Thailand. The LTTE is currently banned in India, Sri Lanka and the USA. The Indian ban in May 1992, followed the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. In late January, a New Delhi tribunal dismissed an appeal on behalf of the Tigers and validated the Indian government ban.

The hearing before the Indian Supreme Court on the appeal by the 26 accused in the Rajiv Gandhi murder case, against conviction and death sentence, was concluded in January. The Court has reserved judgment.

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