Print this Email this

No excuse for deliberate attacks on Sri Lankan civilians

21 January 2008, 11:31AM

We condemn the killing of more than 10 civilians and two home guards in the southern village of Thanamalwila in Sri Lanka. The shootings were allegedly carried out by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

It is the latest in a series of alleged attacks by the LTTE targeting civilians. On 16 January, a bomb followed by shooting on a bus at Buttala, about 150 miles south east of the capital, Colombo, killed over 30 people.

"There is no excuse for the deliberate targeting of civilians", said Javier Zuniga, Special Advisor at Amnesty International. "Targeting civilians and carrying out indiscriminate attacks by any party to the conflict violates international humanitarian law and constitutes war crimes."

The situation in Sri Lanka remains extremely tense. Daily aerial bombardments have been reported in the Vanni in the North, including on 17 January when two humanitarian workers were reportedly injured.

Amnesty International continues to call on both parties to the conflict to return to a genuine implementation of the ceasefire agreement and, in particular, to comply with the rules of international humanitarian law and uphold the protection of civilians at all times.

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.

Make an impact

You can make a difference right now. Your action will help to shine the light of hope into people's lives across the world.

You can make a difference right now. Your action will help shine the light of hope into people's lives across the world.

Check out what 4880 people are doing right now to support human rights.

Act now

Stay Informed

Sign up for email updates

Get Involved

Two Columbian boys smiling and holding their arms out with their thumbs up - a sign of hope

Amnesty International relies on your support to continue our vital work protecting human rights. Please help us keep governments accountable, bring the guilty to justice, and save lives.

Donate