PRESS STATEMENT from the UN Security Council Regarding the Situation in Sri Lanka
May 13, 2009
The Members of the Security Council:
- Express grave concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in North-East Sri Lanka, in particular the reports of hundreds of civilian casualties in recent days, and call for urgent action by all parties to ensure the safety of civilians;
- Strongly condemn the LTTE for its acts of terrorism over many years, and for its continued use of civilians as human shields and acknowledge the legitimate right of the Government of Sri Lanka to combat terrorism;
- Demand that the LTTE lay down its arms and allow the tens of thousands of civilians still in the conflict zone to leave;
- Express deep concern at the reports of continued use of heavy calibre weapons in areas with high concentrations of civilians, and expect the Government of Sri Lanka to fulfil its commitment in this regard;
- Demand that all parties respect their obligations under international humanitarian law;
- Call on the Government of Sri Lanka to take the further necessary steps to facilitate the evacuation of the trapped civilians and the urgent delivery of humanitarian assistance to them;
- Take note of the steps taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to address the humanitarian situation of displaced persons and call on the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure the security of those displaced by the conflict and to cooperate with the UN, the ICRC, and other international humanitarian organisations in providing humanitarian relief and access to them as soon as they leave the Conflict Zone;
- Reiterate support for the personal involvement of the UN Secretary General and urge the Government of Sri Lanka to extend full cooperation to the UN in order to resolve the humanitarian crisis;
- Mindful of the necessity to find a long term solution without the threat of violence, underline that the needs of all communities in Sri Lanka have to be addressed.