International Crisis group, an international advacacy group based in Brussels, has released its recent report on Sri Lanka and included the plight of long term Muslim IDPs (www.crisisgr oup.org) A startling revelation is that returnee Muslims are given step motherly treatment by TAMIL government officers of the north. The following is the relevant part from the report:
LONG-TERM MUSLIM IDPS
International advocacy should also not neglect the situation of the roughly 80,000 Muslims forcibly evicted from the Northern Province by the LTTE in 1990. Their right
to return to their lands in the north must not be forgotten amid concerns about the more recently displaced. Donors should request the Sri Lankan government to
clarify their plans for the return and resettlement of Muslims displaced from the north in 1990.
Their right of return should be clearly established, while also recognising that some may not want to leave their current homes and should not be forced. Those who do wish to return should be offered the resources necessary to do so, as well as assistance in rebuilding and developing their villages with community participation.
Any returns by northern Muslims are likely to raise complicated property rights and political issues. A transparent and integrated process of return, in which Muslims
and Tamils originating from the same areas return at the same time, is vital to reducing future conflicts. Muslims should be allowed to inspect their properties as soon as
possible, prior to any new housing being built. Other mechanisms are also needed to resolve the inevitable land disputes. Local and national politicians must be prevented from manipulating the return of Muslims to sow the seeds of new conflicts between Tamils and Muslims.
Many Muslims attempting to return to Mannar district are already complaining that they are not being treated fairly by Tamil government officers who control access to government assistance and public facilities and who are seen as giving priority to Tamils more recently displaced.
Source: http://www.crisisgr oup.org/library/ documents/ asia/south_ asia/sri_ lanka/b99_ sri_lanka_ __a_bitter_ peace.pdf
