[UNICEF]

Sennappu had a split second, a moment, literally a heartbeat to throw her body around her 18-month-old daughter before the bomb landed. Her reactions were enough time to save the life of her baby girl. Sennappu was killed instantly. As Sri Lanka’s conflict has grown in intensity, so too has the number of civilians injured and killed. UNICEF has consistently called upon the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE (the rebel group known as the Tamil Tigers of Tamil Eelam) to give absolute priority to the protection of civilians. And yet mothers like Sennappu continue to die, as do children.

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[BBC]

Visiting top UN humanitarian official John Holmes has urged Sri Lanka’s army and the Tamil Tigers to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties. The government says the Tigers are using human shields, but the rebels say civilians are seeking their protection. This is Mr Holmes’s first visit since 2007 when his comment that Sri Lanka was one of the most dangerous places in the world for aid workers sparked government anger and drew a rebuke from the prime minister.

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[Reuters]

Sri Lanka’s journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders are living in fear and need better protection from violence, United Nations investigators said on Monday. In a joint statement, 10 U.N. experts called on the government to act quickly to halt repressive practices. “The fear of reprisals against victims and witnesses, together with a lack of effective investigations and prosecutions, has led to a circle of impunity,” they said.

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[Government of Ontario]

The Ontario government is deeply concerned about the current conflict in Sri Lanka. Ontario is committed to the promotion, protection and advancement of human rights, where all persons are valued and treated with dignity.”My heart goes out to Ontarians who are worried about friends and family members in Sri Lanka during this difficult time. Thanks to my daughter’s work as an aid worker, I know firsthand what it’s like to wait for the news. We hope for a peaceful and quick resolution to the troubles in Sri Lanka,” said Premier Dalton McGuinty.

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