
Status of UNICEF database on underage LTTE members
First of the monthly statement by the Child Protection Authority (CPA), Kilinochchi, January 2008The UNICEF database of under-18 persons in the LTTE has remained static for several months now and continues to hold around 240 names. The database has remained static because of the inability of UNICEF to clear these cases due to the prevailing security situation. In December 2007, CPA circulated, among the concerned groups, a snapshot of this UNICEF database as seven categories in a table as shown. The purpose of this snapshot is to elucidate the reality behind the number, 240.
UNICEF mandate compels it to maintain this static database until it has the security clearance to clear the cases. This in turn facilitates VIPs and the media to keep repeating the “child soldiers” issue in the LTTE based on this misleading UNICEF number of 240. CPA intends to publish this table once a month with whatever updates that takes place in that month.
21 January 2008
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