UN investigators urge probe of Sri Lanka murders

GENEVA, Aug 11 (Reuters) United Nations human rights investigators called on Sri Lanka's government today to investigate the killing of 17 humanitarian aid workers, bring the perpetrators to justice and fully disclose their findings.

The government is under pressure to allow independent experts to take part in a probe into the execution-style killing of 17 local staff of international aid group Action Contre La Faim.

Some relatives of the dead, whose bodies were found last Sunday in the northeastern town of Mutur, blame the army for the murders. Fighting broke out in the disputed region between government troops and separatist Tamil Tiger forces last month.

''We urge the government to ensure immediate and independent investigations are carried out into these killings and that the perpetrators of these despicable acts are brought to justice,'' the UN investigators said in a statement issued in Geneva.

A vigorous independent investigation into the killings would also ''restore confidence to humanitarian workers and the populations they serve''.

''An investigation, however independent, impartial and professional, whose results remain covered by secrecy is of little use,'' they said.

The joint statement was signed by Philip Alston, the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, arbitrary and summary executions; Hila Jilani, special representative of the UN Secretary-General on human rights defenders; and Jean Ziegler, UN special rapporteur on the right to food.

The UN investigators voiced concern that the Muslim population in and around the ravaged town of Mutur had suffered disproportionately, forced to flee in large numbers.

Aid agencies expressed frustration at their inability to reach Mutur due to fighting, the worst since a 2002 ceasefire.

Hundreds of people were fleeing the combat zones, reaching Trincomalee district and also areas to the south, she said, adding: ''The priority is to supply them with food and shelter.'' The number of displaced people in the northeast has jumped to 50,000 from 21,000 just days ago, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said, quoting local authorities.

The displaced are staying at some 50 sites in Trincomalee district, according to UNHCR spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis. The most urgent needs were medicines, water and sanitation.

REUTERS DKB VC1832