<b>Rights Safeguards Key to Sri Lanka Peace</b> End Child Soldier Use; Dispatch Independent Monitors

New York, July 3, 2002 Human Rights abuses by both the Sri Lankan
government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have fueled
the conflict and must be directly addressed in the peace process, Human
Rights Watch said today. Both parties should agree on human rights
safeguards to help resolve two decades of bitter conflict over political
control of the island's Tamil-dominated north and east. Face-to-face
negotiations, though subject to repeated delays, are expected to be held
in Thailand, possibly as early as July.

In a nine-page background paper released today, Human Rights Watch
supported calls by Sri Lankan human rights defenders, peace activists,
clergy, and academics for formal human rights commitments from both
parties and the establishment of a system of independent human rights
monitoring early in the process, before discussion of administrative
arrangements get underway. The first round of talks is likely to focus
on the establishment of an interim administration for the north and
east; if talks succeed, the LTTE is expected to take a leading role in
civil administration.

"This conflict has been driven by grave abuses of human rights on all
sides," said Mike Jendrzejczyk, Washington Director for Asia at Human
Rights Watch. "Ensuring that abuses stop must necessarily be central to
its resolution." A cease-fire since last December has given civilians a
much-needed respite from war-related violence and security restrictions
that have inhibited their freedom of movement, crippled the local
economy and promoted abuse. The lull also encouraged cautious new
demands for democratic openness within the Tamil community -- long
dominated by the LTTE's political agenda. But the LTTE has ratcheted up
pressure on both civilians and critics, and hopes have faded that the
cease-fire, negotiated with Norway acting as a mediator, would guarantee
space for independent activity in the Tamil community.

"The role of independent monitors is crucial, and cannot be left in the
hands of anyone with a political interest in the outcome of
negotiations," said Jendrzejczyk. "Accountability for abuses is also
important."

Despite repeated promises by the LTTE to end their use of child soldiers
and to halt extortion of money and property from civilians in the north
and east, these practices have continued. Human Rights Watch has
received numerous reports of such incidents since February. Renewed
promises made by the LTTE in June 2002 to stop recruiting children and
to return all underage recruits to their families need to be closely
monitored.

"The LTTE must end the recruitment of children for military purposes and
their use in hostilities. Child soldiers should be demobilized, and
given assistance to return to their communities," said Jendrzejczyk.

Human Rights Watch also pointed out the urgent need to eliminate or
reform the government's Prevention of Terrorism Act and to release the
hundreds of detainees held by the Sri Lankan authorities without trial
under its draconian provisions. Most of these detainees are Tamils
arrested on suspicion of links to the LTTE. Many of them were arrested
months or even years ago pending investigation, with no evidence to
support police suspicions beyond their own confessions - often extracted
under torture.