More than 160 NGOs released a joint statement today calling for the
protection of internally displaced people and refugees who have fled
the recent conflict in Sri Lanka.  The civil society organisations
also called for greater respect and protection for human rights within
the country.

As the government of Sri Lanka prepares to announce victory in its
military activities against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
(LTTE), those working to promote human rights in the region believe
that any end to the armed conflict must be matched by a commitment to
address human rights abuses and prevent such violations from
reoccurring.

NGOs have also called on other governments to respect the rights of
Sri Lankan refugees who are seeking international protection.

[end]

Joint NGO Statement Calling for the Protection of Displaced Peoples,
Civilians and Human Rights in Sri Lanka

19 May 2009

We, the undersigned, are disturbed by the deplorable human rights and
displaced people’s protection situation in Sri Lanka resulting from
the recent clashes between the Sri Lankan military and the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
estimates that almost 200,000 civilians have been internally displaced
due to the escalating violence in the region over the past two months.
 This exodus brings the total number of internally displaced people
(IDPs) in Sri Lanka to over 500,000, making it one of the most acute
IDP situations in the world.  IDPs fleeing the conflict zone have not
been permitted freedom of movement instead being forcibly detained in
more than 29 camps, public buildings and transit sites in
government-controlled areas, in many cases separated from family
members and without access to adequate food, water and sanitation,
medical assistance and psycho-social care, or protection for
particularly vulnerable groups, especially women and children.  IDPs
also do not have access to human rights organisations or other civil
society groups.

OCHA also reports that approximately 50,000 people, many of whom are
civilians, are trapped directly within the conflict zone where they
have been prevented from receiving urgent food and medical aid.
Despite the draconian restrictions placed by the Sri Lankan government
on independent media and humanitarian monitoring of the region,
credible reports have emerged indicating that medical facilities and
other civilian infrastructure have been the target of military
operations.  Civilians are clearly being used as shields and are
considered acceptable collateral damage in military strikes.

The adverse effects of the fighting on civilians have not been
restricted to the official conflict zone or IDP camps.  Scores of
reports have been released detailing extrajudicial killings,
kidnappings, arbitrary arrest and detention, disappearances and
similar attacks on union organisers, journalists, lawyers, aid
workers, religious leaders, and other human rights defenders who have
spoken out about endemic human rights abuses in Sri Lanka.  The UN
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances indicates that
Sri Lanka currently has the highest rate of disappearances in the
world after Iraq.

Instead of their right to international protection under the 1951
Convention relating to the Status of Refugees being acknowledged, Sri
Lankan asylum-seekers are frequently criminalised and turned away at
the border, prevented from accessing basic humanitarian assistance,
subject to arbitrary arrest and detention, separated for extended
periods from family members, denied health care and the right to work,
rendered stateless and, in some instances, forcibly returned to
persecution (refouled) in Sri Lanka. At present, Sri Lankans
constitute the largest migration-related detention population in the
region.

In light of this deteriorating human rights crisis, we call on the
government of Sri Lanka to immediately:
1.      Provide safe access for an international humanitarian mission to
enter the current northern conflict zone through a temporary ceasefire
or "humanitarian pause" in fighting;
2.      End the shelling and targeting of civilians and civilian
infrastructure such as medical facilities in the conflict zone;
3.      Ensure regular and adequate food and medical aid is provided to
individuals within the conflict zone;
4.      Permit international monitoring at all points of interception and
screening of IDPs who are leaving LTTE-controlled areas and entering
government-controlled areas;
5.      Permit freedom of movement (and freedom from arbitrary detention)
for IDPs who have fled from the LTTE-controlled area to government
controlled areas;
6.      Allow family members to access relatives who have fled from the
north conflict zone and are currently being held in detention;
7.      Remove restrictions on access for international media and
humanitarian workers to places where IDPs are being detained,
hospitals where individuals are being treated, IDP camps, settlements,
and the conflict zone;
8.      Immediately release all individuals in detention against whom
charges have not been laid; and
9.      Prosecute individuals who have authorised, carried out or have been
complicit in extra-judicial executions and disappearances.

We call on the LTTE to:
1.      Provide safe access for an international humanitarian mission to
enter LTTE-controlled areas;
2.      Allow for full freedom of movement for civilians who want to leave
areas controlled by the LTTE;
3.      Ensure that militant cadres do not station themselves among
civilians and civilian facilities such as churches and hospitals; and
4.      Ensure that there is no conscription of civilians, especially children.

We call on the international community to:
1.      Support an immediate ceasefire to enable an international
humanitarian mission to enter the country to both monitor the conflict
and provide relief;
2.      Condemn the egregious human rights violations occurring on a daily
basis in Sri Lanka;
3.      Refrain from engaging in activities that will exacerbate the
conflict, including the supply of weapons;
4.      Grant Sri Lankan asylum-seekers expedited access to refugee status
determination processes, acknowledging that the current situation in
Sri Lanka necessitates prima facie recognition of refugee status,
especially for individuals at heightened risk, such as women;
5.      Guarantee basic protections for Sri Lankan refugees in accordance
with human rights principles and international law;
6.      Refrain from detaining Sri Lankan asylum-seekers;
7.      Permit Sri Lankan refugees to reunite with their families; and
8.      Support the development of a sustainable solution to the root
causes of the conflict.

This statement is drafted by members of the Asia-Pacific Refugee
Rights Network (APRRN) and endorsed by the following organisations and
individuals:

International Organisations
1.      Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
2.      Asian Women's Human Rights Council
3.      Chin Human Rights Organisation
4.      Coordination of Action Research on AIDS and Mobility Asia (CARAM Asia)
5.      Committee for Asian Women (CAW)
6.      FAHAMU
7.      International Detention Coalition (IDC)
8.      International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific (IWRAW Asia Pacific)
9.      Nonviolence International Southeast Asia
10.     Organization of Karenni Development
11.     People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)
12.     South Asian Network for Refugees, IDPs and Migrants (SANRIM)
13.     The Arakan Project
14.     UNANIMA International

National Organisations

Australia
15.     Act for Peace (International Aid Agency of the National Council of
Churches in Australia)
16.     Australian National Committee on Refugee Women (ANCORW)
17.     Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA)
18.     UNSW Centre for Refugee Research

Bangladesh
19.     WARBE Development Foundation of Bangladesh
20.     Odhikar

Cyprus
21.     Action for Equality, Support, Antiracism (KISA)
22.     Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Foundation

Hong Kong
23.     Hong Kong Refugee Advice Centre

Kenya
24.     Solidarity House International

Korea
25.     Kim Jong Chul (Law firm somyoung)
26.     Korean Public Interest Lawyers Group (GONGGAM)

Kyrgyz Republic
27.     Adilet Legal Clinic

India
28.     Burma Centre Delhi (BCD)
29.     EKTA Resource Centre for Women
30.     The Other Media

Indonesia
31.     Indonesia Legal Aid Foundation

Malaysia
32.     All Malaysia Malayalee Association
33.     Astronomical Research Society of Selangor State
34.     Athi Shankarar Thirupeedam
35.     Centre of Education, Research and Development (CEDAR)
36.     Child Development Initiative
37.     Child Information, Learning and Development Centre
38.     Divine Live Society PJ
39.     Education and Research Association of Consumers
40.     Educational, Welfare and Research Foundation Malaysia
41.     Federasi Kaum Tamil Sedunia Malaysia
42.     Federation of Indian Non-Government Organisations
43.     Gayathrie Peedam Malaysia
44.     Group of Concerned Citizens
45.     Health Equity Initiatives (HEI)
46.     Indian Builders Association of Malaysia
47.     Indian Malaysian Active Generation (IMAGE)
48.     Ipoh Arulneri Thirukootam
49.     Johor Tamizhar Sangam
50.     Kebajikan Tamil Thalabathy Johor Bahru
51.     Kelab Belia India Tamil Gopeng
52.     Kelab Bell Belia India Tamil Perak
53.     Klang Consumer Association
54.     Klang Valarum Kalai Pannai
55.     Kuala Lumpur Hindu Youth Organisation (KLHYO)
56.     Kuala Lumpur Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
Gabungan Pertubuhan-pertubhuhan Masyarakat India Selangor
57.     Kumpulan ACTS Berhad
58.     Majlis Kelab Bell Belisa Tamil Malaysia
59.     Malaysia Arulneri Thirukootam
60.     Malaysia Hindu Associates of Graduates
61.     Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram
62.     Malaysia Hindu Sangam
63.     Malaysia Hindu Sevai Sangam
64.     Malaysia India Progressive Educational Society
65.     Malaysia Lekshmi Pooja Meditation Society
66.     Malaysia Tamil Neri Kalagam
67.     Malaysia Thanavasiya Association
68.     Malaysian Archagar Sangam
69.     Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
70.     Malaysian Association of Indian University Graduates
71.     Malaysian Ceylon Saivites Association
72.     Malaysian Dravidian Association
73.     Malaysian Indian Business Association
74.     Malaysian Indian Development and Unity Association
75.     Malaysian Indian Development Association
76.     Malaysian Indian entrepreneurs and Professionals
77.     Malaysian Indian Historical Association
78.     Malaysian Indian Metal Traders Association
79.     Malaysian Tamil Artiste Association
80.     Malaysian Trade Union Congress
81.     Malsyaian Indian Youth Development Foundation
82.     Malyaisan Hindu Youth Council
83.     Nadaraikia Sangam, Selangor State
84.     National Human Rights Society
85.     Nationwide Human Development and Research Centre
86.     Naveena Ilakkya Sinthanai Air Tawar
87.     Pamban Swami Maha Teja Mandala Sabai
88.     Panniru Thirumurai Valarchi Malyam
89.     Penang Hindu Saba
90.     Penang Indian Contractor Association
91.     Penang Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
92.     Persahabatan Semparuthi
93.     Persatuan Artis Tamil Malaysia Negeri Johor
94.     Persatuan Aruloli Mandram Malaysia
95.     Persatuan Bekas Guru-guru India Perak
96.     Persatuan Belia and Rekreasi India Daerah Timur Laut Pulau Pinang
97.     Persatuan dewan Perniagaan India Perak
98.     Persatuan India Bandar Farlim
99.     Persatuan Kabajikan India Johor
100.    Persatuan Kebajikan Artis-artis Tamil Perak
101.    Persatuan Kebajikan Bharatham Selangor
102.    Persatuan Kebajikan dan Kemasyarakatan Tamil Simpang Renggam
103.    Persatuan Kebajikan Dan Sosial Kamakshi Wilayah Utara
104.    Persatuan Kebajikan India Malaysia
105.    Persatuan Kebajikan Masyaraakat dan Social Kaum india
106.    Persatuan Kebajikan MGR
107.    Persatuan Kebajikan Namakkal Malaysia
108.    Persatuan Kebajikan Vanniar Malaysia
109.    Persatuan Kelab Bell Belia Tamil Taman Universiti Johor Bahru
110.    Persatuan Kemajuan Pendidikan Malaysia
111.    Persatuan Meditasi Malaysia (Dhyana Ashram)
112.    Persatuan Mukkulatthor Malaysia
113.    Persatuan Paavanar Tamil Mandram Ipoh
114.    Persatuan Peduduk Taman Bukit Indah
115.    Persatuan Peduduk-Penduduk Kaum India Nusa Bestari II
116.    Persatuan Peduduk-Penduduk Kaum India Pasir Gudang
117.    Persatuan Peduduk-Penduduk Kaum India Permas Jaya
118.    Persatuan Pembaca Tamil Klang
119.    Persatuan Pengedar Akhbar Tamil Perak
120.    Persatuan Pergabung Tamil Malaysia
121.    Persatuan Pon Pavalar Mandram Ipoh
122.    Persatuan Prihatin Belia Malaysia
123.    Persatuan Sangkara Malaysia
124.    Persatuan Seni Kebudayaan Thamil, Pulau Pinang
125.    Persatuan Silambam Malaysia
126.    Persatuan Tamilar Thirunaal Setiawan Perak
127.    Persatuan Teksi dan Kereta Sewa India Johor
128.    Persatuan Telegu Malaysia Cawangan Negeri Johor
129.    Persatuan Telugu Malaysia
130.    Persatuan Thiruvalluvar Natpani Iyakkam Perak
131.    Persatuan Vallalaar Anbu Nilayam
132.    Pertubuhan Kesedaran Hare Krishna Klang
133.    Pertubuhan Penganut Ajaran Sri Vaisana Paribala Sabha Malaysia
134.    Pure Life Society
135.    Rudra Devi Samaj Malaysia
136.    Saiva Nartpani Mandram Malaysia
137.    Saiva Siddhanta Mandram Malaysia
138.    Saiva Sivaneri Mandram Malaysia
139.    Selangor Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
140.    Selangor Indian Video Graphics Association
141.    Seremban Tamilar Sangam
142.    Sri Murugan Centre
143.    Sri Vadivelu Culture and Welfare Association State of Selangor
144.    Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
145.    Sundararaja Perumal Devasthanam Klang
146.    Tamilar Sangam, Teluk Intan
147.    Temple of Fine Arts Malaysia
148.    The New Millennium Indian Business Association of Malaysia
149.    Thiruvalluvar Nanneri Mayam Cameron Highlands
150.    Thiruvarul Thavaneri Mandram Malaysia
151.    Vishnu Periyaval Sabai
152.    World Tamil Federation – Malaysian Chapter
153.    Yayasan Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan Pendidikan Tamil Malaysia
(Tamil Foundation)
154.    Yaysan Pembangunan Bahasa Tamil negeri Perak

Mongolia
155.    Women for Social Progress

Nepal
156.    Human Rights Treaty Monitoring Coordination Committee (HRTMCC)
157.    Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC)
158.    INHURED International
159.    National Coalition for the ICC (NCICC-Nepal)

South Africa
160.    Lawyers for Human Rights

Tajikistan
161.    Society and Law

Thailand
162.    Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma
163.    Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD)
164.    US Council for Refugees and Immigrants Thailand (USCRI Thailand)

United States
165.    Asylum Access

Individuals
166.    Alana Golmei (India)
167.    Ashok Gladston Xavier (India)
168.    Associate Professor Dugald Owen (USA)
169.    Dr. Barbara E. Harrell-Bond OBE (UK)
170.    Dr. Gopal Krishna Siwakoti (Nepal)
171.    Joseph M. Evans (Liberia)
172.    Ines Martins (Timor-Leste)
173.    Kate Hallock (USA)
174.    Korapat Big Pruekchaikul (Thailand)
175.    Lauren Suchman (USA)
176.    Luke Weyland (Australia)
177.    Mine Yucel (Cyprus)
178.    Penny Thame (Thailand)
179.    Priyanca Mathur Velath (India)
180.    Rafendi Djamin (Indonesia)
181.    Shreejana Pokhrel (Nepal)
182.    Su-Ann Oh (Singapore)
183.    Taka Gani (Indonesia)
184.    Yohannes Woldemariam (USA)
185.    Zach Zirkelbach (USA)