Statement: Action contre la Faim 20th anniversary of Muttur

Statement by the following members of the Ministerial Group for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel: Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

On the twentieth anniversary of the killing of 17 Action contre la Faim humanitarian workers in Muttur, Sri Lanka, we remember those who lost their lives and express our solidarity with their families, colleagues and communities.

Their killing remains one of the most serious single incidents of violence against humanitarian personnel. It is also a stark reminder of the risks faced by national and local humanitarian workers, who continue to bear a disproportionate share of attacks and other threats in the course of their work.

This anniversary underscores our shared responsibility to strengthen the protection of humanitarian personnel and to prevent such incidents from recurring.

Through the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, we reaffirm our commitment to respecting and protecting humanitarian personnel and upholding international humanitarian law. Accountability is essential to honour the victims, deliver justice, prevent recurrence, and strengthen protection for humanitarian personnel. We remain committed to protecting those who act to protect others.