Rights group calls for UN monitors for Lanka
Human Rights Watch called Thursday for a UN human rights monitoring mission in Sri Lanka in the wake of the breakdown of the 2002 ceasefire agreement between the government and the Tamil Tiger secessionists.
The New York-based group said new monitors were needed to replace the Norwegian-led Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, which is pulling out due to the end of the ceasefire.
"The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission was deeply flawed, but its monitors helped to minimize abuses against civilians," said HRW's deputy Asia director Elaine Pearson in a statement.
Meanwhile, Japan voiced deep concern on Friday about the Sri Lankan government's decision to end its 2002 truce with Tamil Tiger rebels.
"Our country is deeply concerned that the decision by the Sri Lankan government would not only further stall the peace process but also worsen the conflict," Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said in a statement.
"Our country strongly hopes that the procedures needed for progress in the peace process will be implemented swiftly."
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