The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), at the fourth session of peace talks in Thailand 6 – 9 January 2003, inter alia, agreed on an “Action Plan for an Accelerated Resettlement Programme for the Jaffna District. (ARP)” In light of the fact that a majority of resettlement in the District will occur in areas outside the High Security Zones (HSZs), the first phase of the Action Plan would address such returns, while the second phase will address resettlement in areas within the HSZs. With regard to the first phase, seven assessment teams have been created. These teams are comprised of one member from the Government, LTTE and UNHCR and are currently conducting needs assessments in key sectors within the Jaffna district. The results of these assessments will form the basis for further discussion on what resources are required to make the conditions in Jaffna conducive for safe and dignified return for IDPs and refugees.

To support this process, the parties agreed to ask UNHCR to cooperate in the planning and implementation of the Jaffna ARP. With a view to facilitating the planning and implementation of the Action Plan for the ARP, UNHCR wishes - under its mandate to provide protection and assistance to IDPs and refugees - to provide the following initial guidelines. These guidelines are intended to be used for the Jaffna Accelerated Resettlement Programme as well as for resettlement activities in other parts of the country..

To create conditions conducive to return, adequate assurances must be given to the IDPs regarding their physical safety. In this regard:

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The interested parties will need to address and to provide national documentary protection, including providing access to obtaining - without delay - national identity cards, birth and marriage certificates in order to ensure full access by those choosing to resettle to all services normally available to nationals of Sri Lanka

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Furthermore, all interested parties will need to create conditions whereby adequate assurances are given to IDPs regarding their material safety. In this regard:

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In implementing the ARP, interested parties should ensure that all IDPs have full access to information regarding the present condition of their homes or habitual places of residence, and the existing living conditions they will face if they choose to resettle, so that all IDPs are able to make informed decisions regarding return to their homes or habitual places of residence.

In implementing the ARP, interested parties should ensure that all returns by IDPs are voluntary, absent from any undue influence to return and/or any “push” or “pull” factors.

In implementing the ARP, all IDPs need to be adequately consulted and informed, prior to their taking any decision on resettlement, and be reminded of the alternative options of integrating into the society of their current place of displacement, or being resettled in a new location in Sri Lanka. In this regard the interested parties may wish to consult the results of the IDP census carried out by the Government, with the support of UNHCR, which provides information as to the wishes and intentions of those who were displaced.

The special needs of Women and Children and other vulnerable groups of IDPs and returnees must be established and taken into account at all times.