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LTTE expresses disappointment over the recent press statements issued by UNICEF

Following is the extract from the letter:

It is with a deep sense of regret that we wish to bring to your kind notice the various statements reportedly from UNICEF relative to release of under aged children.

In our view, UNICEF going vocal on unconfirmed reports of large number of 'abduction' is in no way helpful to the actual problem. You are aware that our commitment not to engage any one under the age of 18 in matters military, remains unaltered. And you are also aware that we are seriously engaged in the process of initiating work programmes for the welfare of children. As per the MOU signed by UNICEF and LTTE there are ten sub-projects under the UNICEF Children Affected by War (CAW) project. The majority of these sub projects have not been implemented to an acceptable level to address existing community needs or even to support the released children.

The basics on which the LTTE signed the agreement with UNICEF was the recognition that the problem of underage children was linked to wider social issues including the devastation of social fabric and displacement resulting in the destruction of family units. Children of the North-East have endured experiences due to war ranging from seeing death, disappearance and injury of family members. The LTTE trusted that UNICEF would address the greater problems affecting the children of the North-East and the under aged children who have been released from LTTE in an effective and vigorous manner according to the Action Plan. Unfortunately what has resulted in the last six months has been a disproportionate emphasis on the release of the children from LTTE, at the expense of follow-up and attention to issues supporting their reintegration into the community.

We would like to know whether the intention of UNICEF in developing the Action Plan was only to secure the release of under aged children, rather than to address the underlying problems, as was discussed at length in the April-2003 workshop. The number of under aged children referred to in recent press statements by UNICEF has been grossly exaggerated and is without foundation. These and many other factors vis-à-vis UNICEF's press statements have seriously eroded the confidence of the LTTE in UNICEF's genuine commitment to addressing the needs of the children of the North-East. One such glaring instance is the statement in the form of a warning that the children released in Baticaloa and Amparai be not re-recruited. These type of statements tend to create confusion in the minds of the people and also makes us feel that UNICEF has a different agenda.

Out of the 1187 children as per UNICEF list on 02.12.2003 for the eight Tamil districts, 474 pertains to Baticaloa and Amparai and these children have already been released. A further 243 have been identified as children over the age of 18. Eighty children have been released in Trincomalee, 115 to the transit camps and another 40 released to the parents directly. You are aware that a three member committee was appointed under the auspices of the LTTE Peace Secretariat and it is the hard work of this committee that resulted in the release of 80 children in Trincomalee. This committee is scheduled to investigate the complains in the North and hopefully bring an end to this issue.

We would therefore urge you to review the CAW and make amends to the damage caused and also to refrain from approaching this issue in a negative manner.

21 April 2004

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