High Commissioner for Human Rights condemns attack on civilians in Sri Lanka

15 June 2006

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour condemned today's attack on a civilian bus in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, which reportedly killed 62 civilians and injured more than 40 others, including school-aged children.

"This attack is much more than a ceasefire violation, it is a grave breach of the most fundamental tenets of humanity", the High Commissioner said. "The Government must urgently investigate this case, so that those responsible not only face justice, but the full censure of the international community".

The High Commissioner recalled that today's attack comes against the backdrop of an alarming trend in recent months in which civilians, including children, are increasingly becoming the targets of escalating violence in Sri Lanka. On 13 May, 13 Tamil civilians were killed on the island of Keyts in Jaffna, including an infant and a yong child. On 29 May, 12 Sinhalese construction workers were killed execution-style near Welikanda in Batticaloa. On 9 June, a Tamil family of four including two children, were brutally murdered near Mannar. To date, investigations into these attacks on civilians have yet to produce results.

The High Commissioner urged the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure effective measures are in place to prevent any communal backlash and protect civilian life and property for all communities in Sri Lanka, including those displaced from their homes.