Did EU Deliver Its Obligations to Sri Lanka's War Against Terrorism?

Did EU deliver its obligations to protect a civil society from a terrorist group?

RE: Witness How A Civilized Society Justify Terrorism

In response to your enquiry, we would like to draw your attention to the EU Presidency Statement on the two-day ceasefire declared by the Government of Sri Lanka:

http://www.eu2009.cz/en/news-and-documents/cfsp-statements/eu-presidency-statement-on-the-two-day-ceasefire-declared-by-the-government-of-sri-lanka-16763//

On the website of the Czech Presidency, you may also find the latest Council Conclusions on Sri Lanka of 23/02/2009:

http://www.eu2009.cz/en/news-and-documents/council-conclusions/default.htm

We would like to inform you that the Council discussed the dramatic humanitarian situation in the country. In this context, the Commission called for the organisation of a visit to the region by the EU troika as soon as possible:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/gena/106692.pdf

We would like to add the information that the LTTE is included in the list of persons, groups and entities to which the EU Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism applies:
http://consilium.europa.eu/showPage.aspx?id=631&lang=en

Members of the European Parliament also call for immediate ceasefire so civilians can leave combat zone:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/030-51627-068-03-11-903-20090312IPR51626-09-03-2009-2009-false/default_nl.htm

We would also like to draw your attention to the European Parliament resolution of 12 March 2009 on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P6-TA-2009-0129+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN

Mr. Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, announces additional support of €3 million for the Red Cross (ICRC) in view of the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Sri Lanka (IP/09/444, 19/03/2009):

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/444

You may find further information on the EU-Sri Lanka relations on the website of the Directorate-General (DG) for External Relations:

http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/sri_lanka/index_en.htm

Background information on EU action on terrorism can be found on the DG Justice, Freedom and Security:


http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/terrorism/fsj_terrorism_intro_en.htm

You may also express your views on the website of Debate Europe:

http://europa.eu/debateeurope/

Should you need further questions on the subject, kindly contact the Council of the European Union through its on-line request form:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_applications/applications/info-public/index.ASP?LANG=en&cmsID=820

European Parliament resolution of 12 March 2009 on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka :

The European Parliament ,
– having regard to Rules 91 and 90(4) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas an estimated 170 000 civilians find themselves in an emergency situation, trapped in the battle zone between the Sri Lankan army and the forces of the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE) without access to the most basic aid,
B. whereas UN agencies have documented more than 2300 civilian deaths and at least 6500 injuries since late January 2009,
1. Calls for an immediate ceasefire by the Sri Lankan army and the LTTE in order to allow the civilian population to leave the combat zone; condemns all acts of violence and intimidation which are preventing civilians from leaving the conflict area;
2. Condemns the attacks on civilians as documented by the International Crisis Group;
3. Calls on both sides to respect international humanitarian law and to protect and assist the civilian population in the combat zone, as well as in the safe zone;
4. Is concerned about reports of serious overcrowding and poor conditions in the refugee camps established by the Sri Lankan Government;
5. Demands that international and national humanitarian organisations, as well as journalists, be granted full and unhindered access to the combat zone and to the refugee camps;
6. Calls on the Sri Lankan Government to cooperate with countries and aid organisations that are willing and able to evacuate civilians;
7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, to the Government of Sri Lanka, to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and, for information, to the Commission.