Sri Lanka: Human rights abuses against young Tamil females by the Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1990 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LKA0935 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Sri Lanka: Human rights abuses against young Tamil females by the Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF), 1 November 1990, LKA0935, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab3c86.html [accessed 25 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Prior to the signing of the Indo-Sri Lankan Peace Accord on 29 July 1987, there were numerous allegations of the rape of Tamil women by the Sri Lankan security forces. In most instances, these alleged rapes appear to have occurred in the context of large-scale military operations against Tamil militants in which villagers became the victims of excesses committed by Sinhalese soldiers. [ D.B.S. Jeyaraj, "Sri Lanka: A Time of Troubles," in Frontline, (Madras: The Hindu, 23 March - 5 April 1985), pp. 33 & 44.]
Immediately following the signing of the Accord, allegations were made concerning the molestation of Tamil girls by members of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). These allegations increased during the IPKF's "mopping up" operations after it had successfully taken control of the LTTE stronghold of Jaffna in October 1987. [ William Maclean, "Civilians Risk Gauntlet of Guns to Flee Tamil City," in The Globe and Mail, [Toronto], 26 October 1987; Amnesty International, Amnesty International Statement on the Situation in Sri Lanka With Respect to the Return of Tamils to Sri Lanka (London: Amnesty International, 1988), p. 2; , Sri Lanka: A Review of Alleged Human Rights Abuses (London: Amnesty International, 1988), p. 11.] In December 1987 a local magistrate reportedly found IPKF personnel guilty in seven cases of rape and in January 1988 an Indian court-martial sentenced four Indian soldiers to one year in prison for raping Tamil women. [Ibid., p. 11.]
The latest Amnesty International report of human rights violations in Sri Lanka makes no mention of instances of abuse committed against Sri Lankan Tamil females by the IPKF. A copy of that report is being forwarded for your information.
ATTACHMENTS
William Maclean, "Civilians risk gantlet of guns to flee Tamil city", Globe and Mail (26 October 1989)
Amnesty International, Amnesty International Statement On The Situation in Sri Lanka With Respect To The Return of Tamils to Sri Lanka (London: Amnesty International, 1988), p. 2.
, Sri Lanka: A Review of Alleged Human Rights Abuses (London: Amnesty International, 1988), p. 11.
, Sri Lanka: Continuing Human Rights Violations (London: Amnesty International, 1989).
