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New plea for Sri Lanka civilians New plea for Sri Lanka civilians
(about 1 hour later)
The UN and the Red Cross have renewed appeals to both sides in Sri Lanka's conflict to spare civilian lives.The UN and the Red Cross have renewed appeals to both sides in Sri Lanka's conflict to spare civilian lives.
They want troops and Tamil Tiger rebels to let civilians flee the war zone.They want troops and Tamil Tiger rebels to let civilians flee the war zone.
Scores of children are among those hurt or killed in the fighting and the rebels are stepping up recruitment of child soldiers, the UN says.Scores of children are among those hurt or killed in the fighting and the rebels are stepping up recruitment of child soldiers, the UN says.
Tens of thousands of people are trapped after weeks of heavy fighting in the north. Another group of wounded civilians was evacuated on Tuesday.Tens of thousands of people are trapped after weeks of heavy fighting in the north. Another group of wounded civilians was evacuated on Tuesday.
See map of the region See map of the region
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that a total of 440 sick and wounded people had now been taken by ferry from the north to the coastal town of Trincomalee for medical treatment.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that a total of 440 sick and wounded people had now been taken by ferry from the north to the coastal town of Trincomalee for medical treatment.
It is the third such evacuation carried out by the ICRC within a week.It is the third such evacuation carried out by the ICRC within a week.
'Intolerable''Intolerable'
The UN's Children's Fund, Unicef, said children and civilians had to be given absolute protection from the fighting and allowed to move freely to safe areas.The UN's Children's Fund, Unicef, said children and civilians had to be given absolute protection from the fighting and allowed to move freely to safe areas.
Children are being caught in the cross-fire and scores are being killed and injured Philippe Duamelle, Unicef representative Tamil Tiger UN charges rejectedChildren are being caught in the cross-fire and scores are being killed and injured Philippe Duamelle, Unicef representative Tamil Tiger UN charges rejected
"The reports we are receiving show an increasing number of children have been injured and killed in the past week," said Unicef Sri Lanka representative Philippe Duamelle. "The reports we are receiving show an increasing number of children have been injured and killed in the past week," said Unicef Sri Lanka spokesman James Elder.
"I have seen some of these injuries - babies with shrapnel wounds, gun shot injuries and blast wounds; children whose mothers' last act was to cover their bodies and take the force of the shelling.""I have seen some of these injuries - babies with shrapnel wounds, gun shot injuries and blast wounds; children whose mothers' last act was to cover their bodies and take the force of the shelling."
He said there were "clear indications" the rebels were intensifying efforts to forcibly recruit civilians, among them children as young as 14. A Unicef statement said there were "clear indications" the rebels were intensifying efforts to forcibly recruit civilians, among them children as young as 14.
"These children are facing immediate danger and their lives are at great risk. Their recruitment is intolerable." "These children are facing immediate danger and their lives are at great risk. Their recruitment is intolerable," said Mr Elder.
Unicef says that it has recorded more than 6,000 cases of children recruited by the rebels from 2003 to the end of 2008.Unicef says that it has recorded more than 6,000 cases of children recruited by the rebels from 2003 to the end of 2008.
"Child soldiers suffer physical abuse, traumatic events and face death. Instead of hope, fear defines their childhood," said Mr Duamelle. "Child soldiers suffer physical abuse, traumatic events and face death. Instead of hope, fear defines their childhood," he said.
There was no immediate response from the rebels, who have denied similar accusations in the past.There was no immediate response from the rebels, who have denied similar accusations in the past.
'Life and death''Life and death'
Meanwhile, the ICRC says that families continue to arrive in the Putumattalan area of northern Sri Lanka in the hope of being evacuated.Meanwhile, the ICRC says that families continue to arrive in the Putumattalan area of northern Sri Lanka in the hope of being evacuated.
The ICRC says many more injured people need to be evacuatedThe ICRC says many more injured people need to be evacuated
It says that they are in "a state of utter exhaustion and despair".It says that they are in "a state of utter exhaustion and despair".
"But the reality is that there is an almost complete lack of medicine and relief items there," ICRC Sri Lanka head Paul Castella said."But the reality is that there is an almost complete lack of medicine and relief items there," ICRC Sri Lanka head Paul Castella said.
"We did save lives today but many people remain behind, helpless and anxiously waiting to be evacuated. It is now a matter of life and death.""We did save lives today but many people remain behind, helpless and anxiously waiting to be evacuated. It is now a matter of life and death."
An ICRC doctor who took part in the evacuation operation said that the support of civil and military authorities and that of the local community had ensured the success of the evacuations, but for many more people the situation remained critical because there was a huge influx of patients.An ICRC doctor who took part in the evacuation operation said that the support of civil and military authorities and that of the local community had ensured the success of the evacuations, but for many more people the situation remained critical because there was a huge influx of patients.
Earlier on Tuesday, aid workers linked to the Tigers criticised the UN for suggesting that the rebels had prevented civilians from leaving the war zone.Earlier on Tuesday, aid workers linked to the Tigers criticised the UN for suggesting that the rebels had prevented civilians from leaving the war zone.
The UN had said that a growing number of civilians trying to flee had been shot at and some had been killed.The UN had said that a growing number of civilians trying to flee had been shot at and some had been killed.
Many civilians have been fleeing the conflict zoneMany civilians have been fleeing the conflict zone
But the Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO), which is widely seen as a front for the rebels, said that it was in fact the UN which had failed to protect them.But the Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO), which is widely seen as a front for the rebels, said that it was in fact the UN which had failed to protect them.
A statement by the TRO published on the pro-rebel website TamilNet said: "The UN's inability to fulfil its obligations to civilians is explicit. Yet they don't say who is preventing them from their responsibilities."A statement by the TRO published on the pro-rebel website TamilNet said: "The UN's inability to fulfil its obligations to civilians is explicit. Yet they don't say who is preventing them from their responsibilities."
No independent journalists can reach the conflict zone so claims by either side cannot be independently verified.No independent journalists can reach the conflict zone so claims by either side cannot be independently verified.
About 50,000 soldiers are pressing the Tamil Tigers into a patch of north-eastern jungle after taking the key areas of Kilinochchi, Elephant Pass and Mullaitivu.About 50,000 soldiers are pressing the Tamil Tigers into a patch of north-eastern jungle after taking the key areas of Kilinochchi, Elephant Pass and Mullaitivu.
The government has rejected international calls for a ceasefire, demanding the rebels lay down their arms.The government has rejected international calls for a ceasefire, demanding the rebels lay down their arms.
The Tigers have said they will not do so until they have a "guarantee of living with freedom and dignity and sovereignty".The Tigers have said they will not do so until they have a "guarantee of living with freedom and dignity and sovereignty".
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