THE plight of Tamil civilians in Sri Lankan Government detention camps has been highlighted in a petition organised by Brisbane archdiocese’s Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) which attracted more than 2400 signatures.
The petition, calling on the Federal Govern-ment to pressure the Sri Lankan Government to release the civilians detained in camps in the country’s north, was handed over to Queensland Senator Claire Moore during a recent prayer service.
More than 50 people, including a number of Tamils living in Brisbane, attended the service at St Oliver Plunkett Church at Cannon Hill.
CJPC chairperson Rick Sheehan presented the petition to Senator Moore who said the petition would be lodged in the Senate at its next sitting.
More than 250,000 Tamils are estimated to be still held in detention camps, the majority in a large complex of camps called “Manik Farm” in Vavuniya district.
These people were detained after being caught up in a series of battles between Government forces and the Tamil Tigers in May this year.
Mr Sheehan said despite claims to the contrary by the Sri Lankan Government, conditions for those detained in the camps were still poor.
Senator Moore said it was clear that the human rights of people detained in the camps were not being respected.
“I cannot promise you that we will be able to change the situation in Sri Lanka,” Senator Moore said.
“However, if our Government is to continue to act on this dreadful situation, it is vital that people continue to let their local Members of Parliament and senators know that they are concerned.”
CJPC executive officer Peter Arndt said United Nations officials continued to express grave concerns about conditions in the camps.
“With the onset of the monsoon season, things are likely to get even worse,” Mr Arndt said.
“These people should be released quickly and we hope that Catholics will continue to pray for them and to also tell their MPs that things must change in Sri Lanka.”
Meanwhile the international organisation Human Rights Watch has been reported as demanding that the Sri Lankan Government should immediately release displaced Tamils still held in detention camps.
Deteriorating conditions, including a shortage of water since October 5, combined with the prospect of flooding during the imminent monsoon season, have led to rising tensions among camp residents and clashes with the military, the organisation said.
Human Rights Watch called on international donors such as Japan, the United States and European Union member states to send a clear message to the Government of Sri Lanka that continued detention of the displaced will have serious consequences for Sri Lanka’s relationship with the international community.
