Tamil Tiger rebels defer commitment to joint human rights declaration in Sri Lanka

The Tamil Tiger rebels have delayed a decision on whether to commit to a joint human rights declaration with the Sri Lankan government amid continuing violence that threatens to derail a fragile cease-fire, a rights expert advising both sides said.

The government has pledged its commitment to a joint human rights proclamation, as well as training for rebel cadres, government and prison officials and the police.

But the insurgents' political leader S.P. Thamilselvan ``indicated that a joint declaration might indeed be possible but should follow from political discussions'' on salvaging the cease-fire, former Amnesty International head Ian Martin told reporters after their meeting in the rebel-held north.

The two sides agreed to talks on how to bolster the truce after the government blamed the insurgents for an increasing number of attacks, including the Aug. 12 assassination of Sri Lanka's foreign minister. However, the negotiations have been held up by a disagreement over the venue. Efforts by Norwegian peace brokers to break the deadlock have so far failed.

The Tamil Tigers ``feel it should await the cease-fire agreement review,'' Martin said.

He said there was no indication when the parties would be able to commit to a joint declaration.

Sri Lanka's 2002 cease-fire has been increasingly threatened by sporadic violence in the Tamil-majority northeast. Scores have been killed in almost daily attacks that the government and the rebels blame on each other.

``The political killings are one the most serious human rights issues,'' Martin said, adding that ``human rights violations are a serious threat to the peace process.''

He said he suggested that both sides accept international human rights monitors.

Human rights groups have blamed the government and the rebels for the deaths and disappearances of hundreds of civilians during their ethnic conflict, while the Tigers have been criticized for recruiting children as combatants.

While he welcomed the rebels discharge of 24 child soldiers to their parents on Thursday, Martin said ``the most important thing is that the LTTE should fulfill its commitment to stop recruitment.''

The rebels took up arms in 1983, saying the island's minority Tamils faced discrimination by the Sinhalese majority. The fighting killed nearly 65,000 people before the cease-fire.

Subsequent peace talks broke down in 2003 over rebel demands for greater autonomy.