Vol. 530 No. 1
105 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the continued denial of human, civil and political rights to the Tamil population in Sri Lanka; the attitude of the Government and the European Union to the situation; and if he supports the efforts of the Norwegian Government to facilitate a resolution. [3315/01]
The human rights situation in Sri Lanka is a matter of concern to the Government. The two-decade long conflict between the Government of Sri Lanka and secessionist Tamil elements has resulted in major loss of life as well as serious human rights violations, including violations of civil and political rights. Human rights abuses by the Sri Lankan security forces include extrajudicial killings, disappearances, torture and arbitrary arrests and detentions. Of particular concern recently was the increase in violence during the Sri Lankan general elections in October 2000, which were monitored by a EU observer mission led by Mr. John Cushnahan, MEP. The murder of young Tamil detainees in Bindunuwewa also in October, while they were under the protection of the Sri Lankan authorities, was particularly shocking.
Ireland and our EU partners have urged the Sri Lankan Government to bring to justice those responsible for these human rights violations. While recognising the efforts of President Kumaratunga to address this problem, we have also drawn the Sri Lankan Government's attention to the urgent need to provide the Human Rights Commission with the requisite human and material resources for it to do its job.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have, for their part, committed terrorist acts as well as gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including indiscriminate attacks, bombings and the conscription of child soldiers. These too have been firmly condemned by Ireland and the EU.
The EU has further condemned the use of anti-personnel mines by both the Sri Lankan security forces and the LTTE.
The EU has encouraged the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict, which would take substantial account of the aspirations of the Tamil minority and not breach the principle of the territorial integrity and unity of Sri Lanka.
Ireland and the EU fully support the dialogue facilitator mission assumed by the Government of Norway since February 2000. We have noted the importance of the first meeting which took place between Norway's special envoy, Mr. Eric Solheim, and the leader of the LTTE, Mr. Velupillai Prabhakaran, on 1 November 2000. We have also noted the declaration of Mr Prabhakaran that his movement was prepared to enter peace negotiations with the Sri Lankan Government and expressed the hope that this declaration was sincere and will shortly lead to actual talks.
