Refuge camps: Concern for the fate of Tamil child soldiers

(July 23, 2009) More than two months after war between the Sri Lankan military and LTTE rebels came to an end, the situation in refugee camps remains tragic. Not only do they face major health problems, but the permanent presence of the military inside the camps is raising concerns. Unexplained deaths and disappearances have become a daily occurrence. Children are the main victims of the humanitarian crisis. Many of them have been seen the bodies of their dead parents, left unburied on the road side, attacked by dogs. News Agencies inform that in the 4th zone of the Vanni camp children are “traumatised and need counselling and education.” They are suffering “from malnutrition, and diarrhoea” and none live with their family; “older children look after the young ones.” Despite government policy in favour of family reunification, the fate of boys between 14 and 16 is a real concern. The military is so worried by the presence of child soldiers inside the camps—forced into military action by the LTTE—that they are keeping them under close surveillance. According to military sources, at least 300 of them have been identified. “The military has not allowed the humanitarian workers to move the children to facilities where their rehabilitation can start. In fact children are not allowed to leave a 20-kilometre zone around the camp. They are de facto detained in Vanni,” the source said.