Amnesty International is gravely concerned about the unfolding humanitarian crisis in northern Sri Lanka. We urge the Australian Government to do all it can to prevent any further worsening of the situation, both through bilateral channels and multilateral processes.

About 60,000 civilians remain trapped in the conflict zone between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan Army in the north of the country. On Monday, the Sri Lankan government gave the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) 24 hours to lay down their arms or face further attack in a "final offensive", raising concerns that civilian casualties could spiral. More than 4,500 civilians are estimated to have died in the fighting in north eastern region of the country.

The plight of these civilians demands that the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE take all necessary measures immediately to prevent unlawful killing of civilians and that they fully comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law.

The LTTE and the Sri Lankan government must cease hostilities immediately and agree to extend a humanitarian pause for a reasonable duration, in order to permit civilians to leave as well as the reopening of access routes for food, water and medical supplies.

On Wednesday 22 April 2009, Claire Mallinson, National Director Amnesty International Australia, sent a letter to the Hon Stephen Smith MP, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressing the organisation's concern and urging our Government to take action. Please join our call and tell the Australian Government to call for an immediate humanitarian truce.

Both the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government have an obligation to comply with international humanitarian law in all circumstances. However, the Sri Lankan government appears to have resorted to the use of artillery, which is intended for use on conventional battlefields and are not capable of pinpoint targeting. The use of artillery in densely populated areas is likely to lead to substantial civilian casualties.

According to reports, more than 35,000 civilians have been able to exit the combat zone in the last few days. In the last week, Amnesty International has also received reports of a number of enforced disappearances of young Tamil men separated from their families during the screening process. The Tamil Tigers must cease any forced recruitment, or use of civilians as human shields or attacks on civilians who have tried to escape from areas under their control. They must immediately allow those civilians who wish to leave to do so.

The Sri Lankan authorities should allow international monitors to visit 'reception centres,' to help reassure both fleeing civilians and surrendered LTTE fighters that they will be treated according to international standards.

We have urged the United Nations Security Council to discuss the crisis without any further delay. The Security Council must:

  • express concern at the escalation of violence and the deteriorating humanitarian and human rights situation, in particular the resulting heavy civilian casualties of recent days
  • call for a humanitarian truce
  • urge that the government and the LTTE immediately take all necessary steps to fully comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law
  • stress that the perpetrators of grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law must be held individually responsible and prosecuted for such violations.

The situation has reached a critical point and requires immediate action by the global community, including Australia.