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UNICEF meets LTTE Child Protection Authority

On discussion were the accuracy of the UNICEF database of underage youths in LTTE and smoothing out differences in perception about the work of the ESDC where some of the underage youth who joined LTTE are released because they were unwilling to go back to their families for several reasons. At ESDC children are given catch-up education and vocational training. LTTE explained their position as a de-facto state with the responsibility of putting child welfare foremost.

The abduction of children by the Karuna group was discussed and LTTE pointed out the tacit support of SLA during these abductions. It was also pointed out to UNICEF that they are failing to independently assess child murders, abductions and assaults and issue condemnation to the guilty party.

UNICEF also brought up the issue of stopping underage recruitment 100 percent. The complexity of the issue and the need to have mechanisms in place to care and train children who are not receiving them from their families was discussed.

The UNICEF delegation consisted of Ms Penny Brune (Head of Zone Office, Kilinochchi), Mr William Kollie (Child Protection Officer, Colombo), and Ms Stina Carrlson (Child Protection Officer, Kilinochchi). The LTTE delegation consisted of S Puleedevan (Secretary General of LTTE Peace Secretariat), Mr Thiagaraja (UN and INGO Coordinator) and Dr N Malathy (Advisor to LTTE Child Protection Authority).

28 June 2006

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