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Refuge camps: concern for the fate of Tamil child soldiers

Anonymous sources tell AsiaNews about the situation inside the Vanni camp. The fate of children separated from their families is a problem compounding the ongoing health emergency. Humanitarian workers complain about the disappearance of boys thought to have been rebel child soldiers.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) – 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.

Anonymous sources told AsiaNews 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 will not allow them [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.

For the latter child advocacy groups “should investigate the abuse and disappearance of boys. International organisations should put pressure on the government to give access to the camps so that what happens inside can be monitored.