The
UN Security Council released their press statement on the present
situation in northeast of Sri Lanka on 13 May 2009. The statement calls
on all
parties to "respect their obligations under international humanitarian
law".
While condemning "the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for its acts of terrorism",
the council said to "acknowledge the legitimate right of the Government of Sri
Lanka to combat terrorism".
The
UN Security Council released their press statement on the present
situation in northeast of Sri Lanka on 13 May 2009. The statement calls
on all
parties to "respect their obligations under international humanitarian
law".
While condemning "the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for its acts of terrorism",
the council said to "acknowledge the legitimate right of the Government of Sri
Lanka to combat terrorism".
Below is the statement.

The members of the Security Council
express grave concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in north-east Sri
Lanka, in particular the reports of hundreds of civilian casualties in recent
days, and call for urgent action by all parties to ensure the safety of
civilians.

The members of the Security Council
strongly condemn the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for its acts of
terrorism over many years, and for its continued use of civilians as human
shields, and acknowledge the legitimate right of the Government of Sri Lanka to
combat terrorism.

The members of the Security Council
demand that the LTTE lay down its arms and allow the tens of thousands of
civilians still in the conflict zone to leave.

The members of the Security Council
express deep concern at the reports of continued use of heavy calibre weapons
in areas with high concentrations of civilians, and expect the Government of
Sri Lanka to fulfil its commitment in this regard.

The members of the Security Council
demand that all parties respect their obligations under international
humanitarian law.

The members of the Security Council
call on the Government of Sri Lanka to take the further necessary steps to
facilitate the evacuation of the trapped civilians and the urgent delivery of
humanitarian assistance to them.

The members of the Security Council
take note of the steps taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to address the
humanitarian situation of displaced persons and call on the Government of Sri
Lanka to ensure the security
of those displaced by the conflict and to cooperate with the United Nations,
the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and other international
humanitarian organizations in providing humanitarian relief and access to them
as soon as they leave the conflict zone.

The members of the Security Council
reiterate support for the personal involvement of the UN Secretary General and
urge the Government of Sri Lanka to extend full cooperation to the United
Nations in order to resolve the humanitarian crisis.

The members of the Security Council,
mindful of the necessity to find a long-term solution without the threat of
violence, underline that the needs of all communities in Sri Lanka have to be
addressed.