Sri Lankan troops reject rebel ceasefire; prelate decries use of 'human shields'
April 27, 2009
Penned in and outnumber by government troops, Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka have announced a unilateral ceasefire, claiming that they are responding to "an unprecedented humanitarian crisis." But the government has declined to join in the ceasefire, evidently believing that continued military action can put an end to the rebel threat. While international leaders had sought an end to hostilities, so that over 100,000 civilians might be evacuated from the war zone, Archbishop Oswald Gomis of Colombo has charged that the Tamil Tigers have deliberately blocked refugees from leaving the area, thus using the civilians as human shields to blunt the army offensive.
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Further information:
- Tamil Tigers declare unilateral ceasefire. Colombo says no and continues the war (AsiaNews)
- Archbishop denounces Tamil use of ‘human shields’ (Aid to the Church in Need)
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