EU condemns abduction, murder of Red Cross volunteer in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 December 2007, 16:05 GMT]
The European Union on Wednesday, condemned the abduction and murder of a Sri Lankan Red Cross volunteer, Thavarajah, in Jaffna last Friday. "The European Union urges the Government of Sri Lanka to do everything possible to protect humanitarian workers, investigate fully these killings and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice."

Full text of the press release issued by the British High Commission on behalf of the European Union follows:

EUROPEAN UNION CALLS FOR HUMANITARIAN WORKERS TO BE SAFEGUARDED IN SRI LANKA

The European Union condemns the abduction and murder of a Sri Lankan Red Cross volunteer in Jaffna on 14 December 2007. We extend our condolences to Mr Thavarajah's family and colleagues. The Red Cross movement has an established reputation for caring for the most vulnerable.

Unfortunately, this is not the first such incident. There have been other attacks against humanitarian workers, including Red Cross staff, in Sri Lanka over the last two years. The environment in which aid workers operate has become increasingly difficult. We believe it is important that the essential work of humanitarian organisations is supported and that their staff are safeguarded.

The European Union urges the Government of Sri Lanka to do everything possible to protect humanitarian workers, investigate fully these killings and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

Chronology: