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Sri Lanka child recruitment deal.
Friday, 5 December 2008 - 11:25 AM SL Time
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The government of Sri Lanka and the UN children`s fund (Unicef) have reached agreement with a breakaway faction of the Tamil Tigers on child recruitment.
They signed a plan earlier this week to ensure that the recruitment and use of children by the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) comes to an end.
The TVMP is led by Col Karuna, who defected from the rebels in 2004.
It is now allied in the country`s parliament with the governing United People`s Freedom Alliance.
The ministry of justice says that the plan gives `a clear timetable of required actions by the signatories over the next three months`.
A Unicef spokesman, James Elder, told the BBC Tamil service that it was estimated that 133 children were in the ranks of the TMVP as of 31 October.
He said that out of this total, 61 were younger than 18 and 71 had been recruited under that age.
Mr Elder said that the government would take care of the safety and rehabilitation of the released children and that by 1 January 2009 they had agreed to release all children.
The agreement was signed by Col Karuna on behalf of the TVMP, the government-appointed commissioner general for rehabilitation, Suhada Gamalath, and the UN children`s fund representative in Sri Lanka, Philippe Duamelle.
`Monday`s signing clearly states the commitment of the three parties to efficiently tackle the issue of the use and recruitment of children, which is against Sri Lankan and international law and does great physical and psychological damage to them,` said Mr Gamalath.
The government says that it regards the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict as `a serious child rights` violation` and has consistently asserted its `zero tolerance` position on the practice.
The Tamil Tigers have frequently been accused in recent years of using child soldiers.
Col Karuna was a senior rebel commander in eastern Sri Lanka, effectively number two in the Tamil Tiger military organisation.
But after his defection he began fighting alongside government forces against the Tigers.
His fighters joined the Sri Lankan government in its offensive against the rebels and helped the security forces to recapture parts of the eastern region from them in 2007.
Col Karuna returned from Britain in July after serving a prison sentence for possessing a false passport.
He said his forged diplomatic passport and visa were arranged for him by the Sri Lankan defence secretary.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7765476.stm
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kotia
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 5 Dec 2008 05:31:41 GMT Report for Abuse
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The government of Sri Lanka and the UN children's fund (Unicef) have reached agreement with a breakaway faction of the Tamil Tigers on child recruitment.
Fat VP may need few more wives to produce VP boys(Pathetic souls to whitewash himself) to save his life and file. |
MarkLevinson
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 5 Dec 2008 05:44:40 GMT Report for Abuse
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Good scene now unemployment will go UP
???????????????? |
Spetsnaz1
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 5 Dec 2008 05:50:26 GMT Report for Abuse
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Mr Elder said that the government would take care of the safety and rehabilitation of the released children and that by 1 January 2009 they had agreed to release all children.
The agreement was signed by Col Karuna on behalf of the TVMP, the government-appointed commissioner general for rehabilitation, Suhada Gamalath, and the UN children's fund representative in Sri Lanka, Philippe Duamelle.
I dont think Karuna has intentions on using children in his ranks now... he has come into the democratic means.. Praba is the one who is desparate for people to fight for him...so he has no exception on age.. |
AMIGO
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 5 Dec 2008 05:53:23 GMT Report for Abuse
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Aani
Like the cluster bomb deal:))
there is no deal ,SLAF can use them if they want to
Edited By - AMIGO - 5 Dec 2008 05:54:34 GMT |
JayaweLanka
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5 Dec 2008 05:56:31 GMT Report for Abuse
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Good decisions done. UN must come to an agreement with LTTE to prevent child soldiers in Wanni. ICRC or Unicef and monitor this.
Any way this will no more period wants because SLA is capturing the WANNI very fast. Yesterday Alampil and Puliyankulam next Nedunkeni and NAinamadu Then after Kili and finally the Mullathivu.
Then only Tamils in Sri lanka may have freedom after 30 years of Terror clutches. |
StressReview
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5 Dec 2008 05:57:11 GMT Report for Abuse
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What ever the circumstance, childs should not be dragged to this level. good move..
sR |
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