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Status of UNICEF database on underage LTTE members

The UNICEF database of under-18 persons in the LTTE has remained static for several months now and continues to hold around 178 names. The database has remained static because of the inability of UNICEF to verify and clear the cases released last year due to the prevailing security situation and staff shortage at UNICEF.

UNICEF also handed to CPA seven complaints of alleged underage recruitment this year. One of these seven cases was an arrest by the Tamil Eelam police for a crime committed. Another was a case of confused identity between two siblings aged 17 and 18. The remaining five cases were underage children coming to the LTTE political office determined to join and refusing to go home. Before these five children could be taken back to their homes by the LTTE members, the parents have complained to UNICEF. All the seven cases except the police case are back at their homes. Investigation is continuing with the police case.

This is the third publication of the UNICEF underage cases table with update resulting from some of the cases reaching the age of 18. The purpose of this snapshot is to elucidate the reality behind the number 178.

CPA will continue to publish this table once a month with whatever updates that takes place in that month.

31 March 2008

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