ICRC concern for wounded, prisoners

[TamilNet, Monday, 08 November 1999, 12:03 GMT]
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva today reminded the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Liberation Tigers (LTTE) of their obligation to comply with international humanitarian law. The ICRC press release comes in the wake of a week of heavy fighting in the north of the island.

The text of the press release follows:

"The International Committee of the Red Cross is deeply concerned at the safety of the wounded combatants and those captured during recent engagements in northern Sri Lanka."

"Past fighting in the country has unfortunately often many dead and few prisoners."

"The ICRC reminds both the Sri Lankan Government Forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam of their obligation to comply with international humanitarian law."

"It urgently calls on those involved in the fighting to ensure that those combatants who have laid down their arms should be spared."

"The captured must be treated humanely and the wounded collected and cared for without discrimination."