UN & so-called International Community did sweet nothing to stop LTTE terrorism
LTTE began its killings from 1980s. There are over 300 listed LTTE attacks in 3 decades of terror. LTTE’s crimes are nothing that UN or the international community was unaware of. Not only did LTTE kill members of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces & Govt & Opposition Politicians, LTTE also carried out pre-meditated murder on innocent unarmed civilians who did nothing wrong to LTTE – these included innocent villagers, unarmed civilians, children, people in public places & inside public transport, Sinhalese, Muslims, foreigners & even Tamils. Therefore, LTTE never stood to represent anyone as more Tamils were killed by LTTE. UN & the so-called international community had scores of reasons & facts to act against LTTE. Instead UN & so-called international community opted to force the GoSL to enter into peace talks, negotiations & ceasefires with the LTTE which served as only breathing space for LTTE to regroup. Thus, UN & so-called international community is accountable for every death following failed peace talks, ceasefires & negotiations. What was the point in compiling scores of reports on LTTE if the UN or the so-called international was going to do nothing about it. This is why it is baffling that when the GoSL eventually decided to defeat LTTE militarily, the UN & so-called International community are calling for “accountability” for how GoSL ended LTTE. The UN & so-called international community did nothing to prevent Tamil children being kidnapped, or Tamil women being used as sex slaves & forcibly married. Instead the UN & so-called international community are sanctioning select members of the Sri Lanka’s Armed Forces in Retributive Justice for ending terrorism while forcing Sri Lanka to hold a Truth Commission to give Restorative Justice to Terrorist LTTE. What hypocrisy & double standards.
It is from UN & so-called international community’s own reports that we know that LTTE
- Recruited Tamil children
- Kidnapped Tamil children
- Turned Tamil children into suicide bombers
- Use Tamil children & women as sex slaves, comfort women, forced into marriage with LTTE leaders
- Used Tamil children as human shields, suicide bombers, frontline combatants,
It is also from UN & so-called international community’s own reports that we know of LTTE’s violation of international laws & conventions
- LTTE targeted unarmed civilians
- LTTE attacked humanitarian workers
- LTTE carried out suicide missions & indiscriminate attacks
- LTTE used civilians as human shields & hostages.
- LTTE blurred distinction having its own civilian armed force
The following reports mentions of LTTE child soldier recruitment & women as sexual slaves.
UN reports on LTTE child soldier recruitment & sexual exploitation of women & children.
| Organization | Report Title | Year | Key Findings |
| United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) | Report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OISL) | 2015 | The OHCHR report confirmed LTTE’s recruitment of child soldiers up to the end of the war in 2009. It also documented sexual violence, including rape and exploitation of women and girls by the LTTE. |
| United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) | UN Secretary-General’s Report on Children and Armed Conflict | 2001 | The UNSG’s report highlighted LTTE’s recruitment of children in Sri Lanka. It also noted concerns about sexual violence and abduction of children by armed groups, including the LTTE. |
| United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) | UNSG Report on Children and Armed Conflict | 2005 | The UN Secretary-General reported on LTTE’s continued use of child soldiers, and noted abductions, recruitment of children under 18, and sexual exploitation of girls during the conflict. |
| United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) | UNSG Report on Children and Armed Conflict | 2009 | Focused on the LTTE’s recruitment of children during the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war. It also included details about sexual violence and exploitation against women and girls by LTTE forces. |
| United Nations Special Rapporteur on Children and Armed Conflict | Report of the Special Rapporteur on Children and Armed Conflict | 2008 | This report emphasized that the LTTE was recruiting children, with a particular focus on the final years of the war. It also highlighted reports of sexual violence against children and women. |
| UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) | UNHRC Report on Sri Lanka (OISL) | 2015 | The UNHRC’s OISL report detailed the LTTE’s recruitment of child soldiers until the end of the war, and sexual exploitation of women and girls during the conflict, particularly by the LTTE. |
| UN Secretary-General’s Report on Children and Armed Conflict (UNSG) | Report on Children and Armed Conflict in Sri Lanka | 2001 | The UN Secretary-General condemned LTTE’s recruitment of child soldiers and documented the abduction and forced conscription of children into combat roles. |
| United Nations Security Council (UNSC) | Security Council Resolution 1379 | 2001 | The UNSC Resolution 1379 condemned LTTE’s recruitment of children and demanded the end of child soldier recruitment in Sri Lanka and the protection of children. |
| UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict | Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict | 2010 | The UN Special Representative confirmedthe LTTE’s use of child soldiers in Sri Lanka, particularly girls who were exploited sexually, and boys forced into combat roles. |
| United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) | Concluding Observations on Sri Lanka (CRC) | 2009 | The CRC raised concerns about the continued use of child soldiers by LTTE with a specific focus on LTTE recruitment and sexual violence. |
| UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Terrorism | Report on Terrorism and Human Rights in Sri Lanka | 2009 | The Special Rapporteur condemned the LTTE’s recruitment of children for terrorist activities and noted sexual exploitation of girls and women in LTTE-controlled areas. |
Reports by US, Canada, EU, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, India on LTTE
| Country/Region | Report Title | Year | Key Findings |
| United States (US) | US State Department – Trafficking in Persons Report | 2008-2009 | Highlights LTTE’s use of child soldiers and sexual exploitation of children. Describes recruitment, abduction, and forced combat. |
| Canada | Canada’s Report on Child Soldiers in Sri Lanka | 2004 | Documents LTTE’s recruitment of child soldiers and the sexual exploitation of women and girls by LTTE fighters. |
| European Union (EU) | European Commission Report on Sri Lanka (Child Soldiers) | 2005 | Reports on LTTE’s continued use of child soldiers and abduction. Sexual violence and exploitation of girls and women were also documented during the war. |
| United Kingdom (UK) | UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office – Annual Report | 2004 | Reports the recruitment of children by LTTE forces. It raised concern about the abduction and forced conscription of children into LTTE military service. |
| Australia | Australian Government – Report on Human Rights in Sri Lanka | 2009 | Describes child soldier recruitment by LTTE and reports on sexual violence and exploitation of women. |
| New Zealand | New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade – Human Rights Report | 2008 | Highlights LTTE’s recruitment of children and use in combat. Documents sexualexploitation of women and children by LTTE fighters. |
| Africa (General) | Human Rights Watch – Africa Child Soldiers Report | 2007 | Focuses on global child soldier recruitment with a section specifically addressing the LTTE’s forced recruitment of children and sexual violence against women. |
| India | Indian Ministry of External Affairs – Human Rights Report | 2008 | India raised concerns about LTTE recruitment of children and documented sexual violence and exploitation of women and girls in LTTE-controlled areas. |
International NGO and INGO reports on LTTE child soldier recruitment and sexual exploitation of women and children:
| Organization | Report Title | Year | Key Findings |
| Human Rights Watch (HRW) | “Child Soldiers: The Recruitment of Children in Sri Lanka” | 1991 | LTTE recruited children as young as 12 for combat and suicide bombings. Children were also abducted and forced into service. |
| Human Rights Watch (HRW) | “No End in Sight: Child Soldiers in Sri Lanka” | 2002 | Continued recruitment of children by LTTE, with focus on abductions and forced conscription. |
| Human Rights Watch (HRW) | “No More Tears: Child Soldiers in Sri Lanka” | 2006 | Documented use of children as suicide bombers and in combat roles. Highlighted psychological trauma. |
| Human Rights Watch (HRW) | “War on Children: Sri Lanka’s Recruitment of Child Soldiers” | 2004 | HRW detailed LTTE’s recruitment practices, including use of children in suicide bombings. |
| Amnesty International | “Sri Lanka: Child Recruitment in the Tamil Tigers’ Ranks” | 1997 | LTTE’s recruitment of children, sexual exploitation of women and girls in the armed ranks. |
| Amnesty International | “Sri Lanka: The Tamil Tigers and Child Soldiers” | 2003 | Focused on LTTE’s recruitment and the sexual exploitation of female combatants. |
| Amnesty International | “Sri Lanka: Forces of Terror – Child Recruitment in Sri Lanka” | 2007 | Described use of children as combatants and sexual violence against women. |
| Amnesty International | “Sri Lanka: Children in the Crossfire” | 2008 | Continued use of child soldiers and sexual violence by LTTE. |
| UNICEF | “Children and Armed Conflict: Sri Lanka” | 2008 | LTTE’s continued use of child soldiers and efforts to reintegrate children post-conflict. |
| International Crisis Group (ICG) | “Sri Lanka: Child Soldiers and Human Rights Violations” | 2006 | LTTE’s recruitment of children for combat roles, and sexual violence against women and girls. |
| Save the Children (UK) | “Sri Lanka: War on Children” | 2006 | LTTE’s forced recruitment of children, sexual violence, and abuse. |
| Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers | “Child Soldiers Global Report 2004” | 2004 | LTTE’s use of child soldiers in combat and suicide bombings. Sexual exploitation of girls was also reported. |
| Human Rights Watch | HRW – “We Were Children: The Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers in Sri Lanka” | 2012 | Documented forced conscription and use of children in suicide bombings. Mentioned sexual exploitation of women and girls. |
| UN (OHCHR) | “Report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OISL)” | 2015 | Confirmed LTTE’s recruitment of children and sexual exploitation of women and girls during the conflict. |
| UN Special Rapporteurs (On Children and Armed Conflict) | “Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict” | 2010 | LTTE’s recruitment of children in the final stages of the conflict, use in combat, and sexual violence. |
United Nations Reports on LTTE War Crimes, IHL & HR Violations
| Organization | Report Title | Year | Key Findings | International Laws Violated |
| UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) | OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) | 2015 | LTTE’s recruitment of child soldiers, use of human shields, suicide bombings, attacks on civilians. | Geneva Conventions (1949), Additional Protocols I & II (1977), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). |
| UN Secretary-General (UNSG) | Report on Children and Armed Conflict | 2009 | LTTE’s recruitment of child soldiers, abduction, sexual violence against girls, and violations of IHL during the final stages of the conflict. | Geneva Conventions (1949), Additional Protocols I & II (1977), Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (2000). |
| UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) | Sri Lanka: Accountability and Reconciliation | 2015 | LTTE’s violations of IHL: use of human shields, suicide bombers, abductions, forced conscription of child soldiers, and attacks on civilians. | Geneva Conventions (1949), Additional Protocols I & II (1977), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). |
| UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) | Concluding Observations on Sri Lanka | 2009 | LTTE recruitment of children as soldiers, sexual exploitation, and violations of IHL during armed conflict. | Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Geneva Conventions (1949), Optional Protocol on Children in Armed Conflict (2000). |
| UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions | Report on Violations of International Human Rights and IHL in Sri Lanka | 2009 | Documented extrajudicial killings, attacks on civilians, and human rights violations by both LTTEand Sri Lankan forces. Violations of IHL. | International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Geneva Conventions (1949), Additional Protocols I & II (1977). |
International NGOs and INGOs Reports on LTTE War Crimes, IHL & HR Violations
| Organization | Report Title | Year | Key Findings | International Laws Violated |
| Human Rights Watch (HRW) | “Sri Lanka: The Killing Fields” | 2009 | LTTE’s use of child soldiers, suicide bombings, indiscriminate attacks on civilians, and violations of IHL. Violations of HR lawsconcerning women and children. | Geneva Conventions (1949), Additional Protocols I & II (1977), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). |
| Amnesty International | “Sri Lanka: War on Children” | 2006 | LTTE’s forced conscription of children as soldiers, sexual exploitation, and violations of IHL. Also, documented indiscriminate attacks on civilians. | Geneva Conventions (1949), Additional Protocols I & II (1977), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). |
| International Crisis Group (ICG) | “Sri Lanka: The Aftermath of War” | 2009 | LTTE’s violations of IHL, including use of child soldiers, suicide bombings, attacks on civilians, and targeting humanitarian workers. | Geneva Conventions (1949), Additional Protocols I & II (1977), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). |
| Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers | “Child Soldiers Global Report 2004” | 2004 | Documented LTTE’s recruitment of children, forced conscription, and the exploitation of girls for sexual slavery in LTTE-controlled areas. | Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Geneva Conventions (1949), Optional Protocol on Children in Armed Conflict (2000). |
| Save the Children | “Sri Lanka: Children in the Crossfire” | 2008 | LTTE’s recruitment of child soldiers, abductions, and sexual violence against girls. Violations of IHL including forced conscription and attacks on civilians. | Geneva Conventions (1949), Additional Protocols I & II (1977), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). |
| World Vision | “Children in the Crossfire: Child Soldiers in Sri Lanka” | 2007 | Documented LTTE’s recruitment of child soldiers and sexual violence against children. Violations of IHL and human rights laws against children. | Geneva Conventions (1949), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Optional Protocol on Children in Armed Conflict (2000). |
United States (US) Reports on LTTE War Crimes, IHL & HR Violations
| Organization | Report Title | Year | Key Findings | International Laws Violated |
| US State Department | Trafficking in Persons Report | 2009 | LTTE’s recruitment of child soldiers, forced conscription, sexual exploitation, and violations of IHL were highlighted. HR violations documented in LTTE-controlled areas. | Geneva Conventions (1949), Additional Protocols I & II (1977), Optional Protocol on Children in Armed Conflict (2000), Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). |
| US State Department | Country Reports on Human Rights Practices | 2008 | LTTE’s use of child soldiers, abductions, forced conscription, and sexual violence were violations of both IHL and HR laws. | Geneva Conventions (1949), Additional Protocols I & II (1977), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). |
United Kingdom (UK) Reports on LTTE War Crimes, IHL & HR Violations
| Organization | Report Title | Year | Key Findings | International Laws Violated |
| UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office | Annual Human Rights Report | 2009 | LTTE’s use of child soldiers, suicide bombings, sexual exploitation of women and children, and violations of IHL and HR lawsby both parties in the conflict. | Geneva Conventions (1949), Additional Protocols I & II (1977), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). |
| UK Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee | Report on Human Rights in Sri Lanka | 2009 | Documented LTTE’s use of child soldiers, sexual violence, attacks on civilians, and violations of IHL during the civil conflict. | Geneva Conventions (1949), Additional Protocols I & II (1977), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). |
European Union (EU) Reports on LTTE War Crimes, IHL & HR Violations
| Organization | Report Title | Year | Key Findings | International Laws Violated |
| European Commission | Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy | 2008 | LTTE’s violations of IHL, including use of child soldiers, attacks on civilians, and suicide bombings, with focus on human rights violations. | Geneva Conventions (1949), Additional Protocols I & II (1977), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). |
| EU External Action | Report on Sri Lanka – Child Soldiers and Human Rights | 2006 | Documented LTTE’s recruitment of children, indiscriminate attacks on civilians, and violations of IHL. | Geneva Conventions (1949), Additional Protocols I & II (1977), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). |
Canada Reports on LTTE War Crimes, IHL & HR Violations
| Organization | Report Title | Year | Key Findings | International Laws Violated |
| Canadian Government | Canada’s Annual Human Rights Report | 2009 | Condemned LTTE’s recruitment of child soldiers, sexual exploitation, and indiscriminate attacks on civilians. Also highlighted violations of IHL. | Geneva Conventions (1949), Additional Protocols I & II (1977), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). |
Australia Reports on LTTE War Crimes, IHL & HR Violations
| Organization | Report Title | Year | Key Findings | International Laws Violated |
| Australian Government | Australia’s Annual Human Rights Report | 2008 | Documented LTTE’s recruitment of child soldiers, suicide bombings, sexual violence, and violations of IHL and human rights laws. | Geneva Conventions (1949), Additional Protocols I & II (1977), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). |
India Reports on LTTE War Crimes, IHL & HR Violations
| Organization | Report Title | Year | Key Findings | International Laws Violated |
| Indian Ministry of External Affairs | Report on Human Rights Violations in Sri Lanka | 2009 | Condemned LTTE’s use of child soldiers, sexual exploitation, abduction of civilians, and violations of IHL and human rights laws. | Geneva Conventions (1949), Additional Protocols I & II (1977), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). |
Exactly what did UN & the so-called international community propose to do with these reports? Decorate their library shelves to show decades on to ignorant masses that they did something in the form of report writing only?
All of these reports are not worth the ink consumed to print. These reports written from 1991 to 2009 number over 50, but nothing was done to stop innocent Tamil children being forcibly kidnapped from their parents or from orphanages, denied their childhood, turned into murderers, suicide bombers, sex slaves and having to undergo psychological, physical trauma and those that have survived are able to live a normal life not because of the UN or the so-called international community but because of President Mahinda Rajapakse who gave orders as commander in chief of the armed forces to militarily defeat LTTE & carry out a humanitarian rescue operation that saved 297,853 Tamils including 594 child soldiers & 12,000 LTTE who surrendered in May 2009.
The UN & so-called international community which commenced a “war on terror” in 2001 is now trying to avenge the war on terrorism that ended LTTE by carrying out a witch-hunt against those that ended LTTE while trying to creep a bogus Truth Commission to deliver Restorative Justice to LTTE terrorists & Retributive Justice to the Sri Lanka Armed Forces which was seen by the UK sanctions selectively imposed on 3 members of the Armed Forces. All these only highlights the hypocrisies of the UN & so-called international community including the LTTE fronts who operate from their soil. None of them saved a Tamil child, a Tamil woman from being exploited but they all want to punish the Sri Lanka Armed Forces.
No Tamil children were conscripted to LTTE after May 2009 because Sri Lanka’s President/Armed Forces ended LTTE.
No Tamil women were used as sex slaves, comfort women by LTTE after May 2009 because Sri Lanka’s President/Armed Forces ended LTTE.
UN-so-called international community & LTTE fronts never came forward to save the Tamil child or Tamil women — only Sri Lanka’s President/Armed Forces did.
This is the ugly truth that everyone must digest.
Shenali D Waduge
