The Letters send by the Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA), regarding the peace process in Sri Lanka to the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and Mr. Pirapaharan, the leader of LTTE.

12 February 2002,

The Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe, 
MP, Prime Minister,
Parliament  Buildings
Sri Jayawardenapura,Kotte,
SRI LANKA

Dear Mr Wickremasinghe,

The Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA), a peak body with ninety five development and human rights member agencies, congratulates the new United National Front (UNF) Government, the Sri Lankan President, Mrs Kumaratunga, and the LTTE leader, Mr Pirabakaran, for the co-operation that has seen such swift progress in the Norwegian-facilitated peace process. The recommendations listed later in this letter are shared with you and the LTTE in a spirit of assisting and strengthening the peace process.

You have indicated to the Sri Lankan people that the road to a lasting peace settlement will be difficult and long, but is vital. ACFOA agrees and realizes while the steps forward are likely to be accompanied by some setbacks, accusations and counter-accusations any negatives must be constructively tackled to progress the peace process.

ACFOA respectfully suggests the peace process can be strengthened by both sides reaching and implementing an agreed framework which includes respect for human rights and international humanitarian law (IHL) and monitoring and self-monitoring mechanisms for this. The framework and mechanisms could be established in discussion with the parties to the conflict with the assistance of human rights and legal expertise. The Norwegian facilitators could assist in this process. ACFOA suggests that after agreement the framework be made public so the Sri Lankan public and international community better understand the steps being taken to strengthen human rights and peace building in Sri Lanka.

It would be valuable to include at least the following areas in such a framework:

1. Extrajudicial Killings

2. Disappearances

3. Arrest, detention and the status of all prisoners held under Emergency Regulations, the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and by the LTTE and pro-government para-military groups

4. Torture, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment, including Rape

5. Freedom of Expression and Association

6. Freedom of Movement

7. Guarantees for ethnic and religious minorities

8.� Children's Rights

9.� Rights of all displaced people

10.Humanitarian Measures

11.Landmines and unexploded ordinance (UXO)

Minimal standards such as those under the Geneva Conventions and its protocols may form the basis of agreements within this framework.

As the process proceeds minimum standards may be expanded and fuller human rights agreements phased in as appropriate to assist reconciliation and secure a sustainable peace. These may include; admissions for past human rights abuses by the parties, mechanisms to secure return of all displaced people and possible compensation where appropriate, full recognition of ethnic, religious and cultural rights and other areas of concern to the parties.

I welcome any thoughts you may wish to share on these specific suggestions or on how non-government organizations such as ACFOA can further assist the parties secure peace, reconstruction and lasting prosperity for all Sri Lankans.

I attach a copy of my letter to Mr Pirabakaran.

Yours sincerely,

GRAHAM TUPPER

Executive Director

Encl.� Copy of letter to Mr Pirabakaran, LTTE

* * * * * * * *

12 February 2002

Mr Velupillai Pirabakaran
c/o Mr Anton Balasingham
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
Eelam House202 Long Lane
London SE1 4QB
UNITED KINGDOM

Dear Mr Pirabakaran,

The Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA), a peak body with ninety five development and human rights member agencies, congratulates the LTTE leadership, new United National Front (UNF) Government and the Sri Lankan President, Mrs Kumaratunga for the co-operation that has seen such swift progress in the Norwegian-facilitated peace process. The recommendations listed later in this letter are shared with you and the Sri Lankan Government in a spirit of assisting and strengthening the peace process.

Achieving a lasting peace after so many years of war, suffering and mutual distrust will be difficult but the sincerity being demonstrated now by both sides is most encouraging.� The steps forward are likely to be accompanied by some setbacks, accusations and counter-accusations but any negatives must be constructively tackled to progress the peace process.