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Web Release |
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Inaugural Meeting of the ‘Committee to Inquire Into Abduction and Recruitment of Children for Use in Armed Conflict’. |
Web Release
08 October 2007
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Following the commitment made to the UN Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict earlier this year, and a decision taken by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Human Rights (IMCHR), Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights, in consultation with the Secretary to the President, appointed a high level “Committee to Inquire Into Allegations of Abduction and Recruitment of Children for Use in Armed Conflict” in August 2007.
The Committee is mandated to initiate inquiries into, and monitor the investigation of allegations made, in connection with the abduction and recruitment of children by the LTTE and Karuna groups, amongst a number of other related items in its comprehensive terms of reference. It will also monitor and make recommendations to assure that released children have access to adequate facilities for rehabilitation and reintegration.
Minister Samarasinghe addressed the inaugural meeting of the committee held at the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights on Thursday 4th October. The Committee comprises the following senior officials: |
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- Mr. Suhada Gamalath, Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Law Reforms (Chair).
- Mrs. Indrani Sugathadasa, Secretary, Ministry of Child Development and Women’s Empowerment.
- Mr. G.K.D. Amarawardane, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights.
- Mr. Shavindra Fernando, Deputy Solicitor-General, Attorney-General’s Department.
- Mr. Yasantha Kodagoda, Deputy Solicitor-General, Attorney-General’s Department.
- Mr Jagath Wellawatte, Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority.
- Ms Shirani Goonatilleke, Director/Legal of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP).
- Representative of the Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Representatives of the three Armed Services and the Police (to be nominated by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Public Security and Law and Order).
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The Committee will liaise and communicate with other consultative and coordinating mechanisms established by the Government that bear responsibility for the safeguarding of human rights and rights under humanitarian law, especially those of children caught up in conflict. It will report periodically on measures taken and on its progress to the Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe.
At today’s meeting the Chairman of the Committee Mr Suhada Gamalath discussed with members the preliminary steps that were to be taken pursuant to the terms of reference (TOR).
At the conclusion of the meeting it was decided to follow up on the following issues:
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- To publish the TOR in the media together with a request for public information relating to the abduction of children.
- To write to Ambassador Alan Rock for relevant information in relation to evidence underpinning the allegations raised in his report,
- To invite UNICEF staff to address the Committee.
- To write to law enforcement authorities and request reports in relation to investigations conducted to date.
- To form sub-committees to meet frequently to work on specific TOR items in order to facilitate the efficient and effective functioning of the work of the Committee.
- To undertake field visits to areas in which incidents of abduction are alleged to have taken place.
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Violations Committed
by the GOSL - 351
