Protect Sri Lankan children: UNICEF
As the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka continued unabated, the UNICEF today said it was "unacceptable" that children continue to be the victims of the fight between the government forces and Tamil rebels.
"Thousands of children remain trapped due to the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka, putting their lives at serious risk. It is unacceptable that children continue to be the innocent victims of this ongoing conflict," UNICEF Executive Director Ann M Veneman said in a statement.
The world body said children caught in the crossfire lack adequate access to medicine, water, food and other humanitarian relief which is critical for their well-being. "Civilians should be allowed to move away from the conflict zone to safe areas and maximum restraint should be exercised by both parties, including halting the use of heavy weapons in densely populated areas," Veneman said.
The UNICEF said with an estimated 50,000 civilians trapped in the conflict zone -- a tiny space of just a few square kilometres, it fears that many more children will be killed if the current government offensive continues and the LTTE refuses to allow civilians to leave. "UNICEF joins the UN Secretary General in calling on both sides to adhere to their obligations under international law," the statement said.
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