10-07-2003, 10:49 AM
UNICEF Wakes Up!
Bandula Jayasekara in Colombo, SLT 2.30 P.M Tuesday 7 October. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has issued a statement today, verifying number of cases of child recruitment by the LTTE in Valachchenai. The release stated that UNICEF teams on the ground were working to verify the exact numbers of children recruited and the recruitment of just one child is a serious violation of children's rights. The release added that continued recruitment of children is completely unacceptable and this type of action undermines the work and commitment of the LTTE towards making the Action Plan for Children Affected by War a success. The release also stated that UNICEF is still receiving cases of child recruitment in all districts of the North East and it must be understood that if the reintegration of child soldiers is to be successful then new recruitment has to stop."
Yesterday Parents and schoolchildren protested over the abduction of at least 23 children in eastern Sri Lanka by the LTTE few days after the LTTE opened re-habilitation centers for the ex-child soldiers, heavily funded by UNICEF. The move has come under heavy media criticism. Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority Prof Harendra de Silva also lodged a complaint against the collaboration with number of social workers questioning the justification of the project
http://www.theacademic.org/#10655163550
Bandula Jayasekara in Colombo, SLT 2.30 P.M Tuesday 7 October. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has issued a statement today, verifying number of cases of child recruitment by the LTTE in Valachchenai. The release stated that UNICEF teams on the ground were working to verify the exact numbers of children recruited and the recruitment of just one child is a serious violation of children's rights. The release added that continued recruitment of children is completely unacceptable and this type of action undermines the work and commitment of the LTTE towards making the Action Plan for Children Affected by War a success. The release also stated that UNICEF is still receiving cases of child recruitment in all districts of the North East and it must be understood that if the reintegration of child soldiers is to be successful then new recruitment has to stop."
Yesterday Parents and schoolchildren protested over the abduction of at least 23 children in eastern Sri Lanka by the LTTE few days after the LTTE opened re-habilitation centers for the ex-child soldiers, heavily funded by UNICEF. The move has come under heavy media criticism. Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority Prof Harendra de Silva also lodged a complaint against the collaboration with number of social workers questioning the justification of the project
http://www.theacademic.org/#10655163550
Truth 'll prevail