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Appendix IV. Letter from Tamilselvan

05.12.2006

Mr. Brad Adams

Asia Division Director

Human Rights Watch

350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor

New York, NY 10118-3299

Dear Mr. Brad Adams

Thank you for your letter of 28 November 2006 on the subject of underage recruitment by armed forces in the island of Sri Lanka. I am glad to have this opportunity to inform you the steps we have taken to ensure that underage youths do not join our movement.

Recently we announced a new Child Protection Law which will come into effect before 1 January 2007. We are facing delays in translating the new law into English. However, the Child Protection Authority will forward the new law in Tamil to you soon.

We have strengthened the Child Protection Authority (CPA) to monitor the implementation of this law. The Terms of Reference of the CPA is attached.

Please read the attached December report by the CPA for further details on the measures that are taken to eliminate underage recruitment and the status of this project. 

I would also like to inform you that we have undertaken several measures to ensure the protection of children in the current deteriorating conditions and we have sought assistance form international agencies working here with focus on children’s rights for their assistance.

In conclusion I would like to extend our invitation to you to visit the Tamil homeland in order to study the human rights and child rights situation. I also look forward to holding direct discussions with you about the human rights and child rights situation in the Tamil homeland.

Thank you for your continuing interest in the human rights situation in the Tamil homeland.

Yours Sincerely

S P Tamilselvan

Head of Political Division