"We want to make sure there are no killings from any side," Anura Priyadhashana Yapa, media minister told reporters. He said more than 5,000 crease-fire violations have been recorded so far, which include scores of killings. Both sides blame each other for the violence.

Hans Brattskar, Norway's ambassador in Colombo and Bernardino Regazzoni, Swiss ambassador and host-country for the talks, flew to the northern rebel-capital Kilinochchi earlier Thursday, for a meeting with rebel negotiators led by S. P. Thamilselvan, the Tigers' political chief. It focused on issues that will be discussed at the talks and a location in Geneva to conduct the discussions, officials involved said.

The Tigers have stressed the Geneva meeting will be limited to discussions on strengthening the February 2002 cease-fire agreement and have ruled out amendments to the pact as earlier demanded by the government. "The talks will be on a meaningful cease-fire," Anura Priyadhashana Yapa, media minister told reporters on Thursday. He declined to elaborate.

Yapa confirmed that Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, minister of trade and Rohitha Bogollagama, minister of investment promotion were the key government negotiators led by health minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. He said a top-level team headed by the foreign minister had been appointed to help the negotiators and focus on a long-term solution to the conflict. The Tigers' have already named a six-member team for the talks.

So far several options have been mooted to hold the discussions including venues in Geneva as well as those in the outskirts. No final decision has been made as yet. The government delegation on Tuesday discussed preparations for the media and media access at the talks, an issue that will play a role in finalizing a venue.

Air transport for the rebel delegation from Kilinochchi to Colombo's international airport and other logistics were also discussed with the diplomats, the officials said.

Tamilselvan had raised the alleged abductions of 10 aid workers of the pro-rebel Tamil Rehabilitation Organization or TRO, and "expressed concern over government apathy …. at a time the parties need to strive creating a positive and conducive atmosphere for the talks in Geneva," the Tigers' official peace secretariat Web site said, about Thursday's meeting.

However, the government continued to express doubt over the alleged kidnappings nearly two weeks ago. "We are very sorry to say that the TRO is not helping in the investigation," Yapa said, adding that the "government is doing its best to find out the truth about the incident." Three of those allegedly kidnapped have been released while seven remain missing, according to the charity. The alleged abductions have cast a cloud over the impending talks and raised fears if the rebels will back out of negotiations over the incident they blame on para-militaries supported by the government forces, an allegation Colombo denies.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam started fighting for an independent homeland in 1983 claiming discrimination of minority Tamils by the Sinhalese majority. Nearly 65,000 people were killed before Norway brokered a cease-fire between the two sides. Subsequent peace talks however, broke down in April 2003 over rebels demand for wide autonomy.

Discuss this story Published: Thu Feb 9 09:21:05 EST 2006

About 81 government security forces have been killed in attacks blamed on the rebels while the Tigers accuse the government of harassing and killing Tamil civilians.

``The government should come for talks with a proper understanding of the history of our problems and the countless tragedies and displacements faced by our people,'' said Tamil Tiger political head S.P Thamilselvan, addressing reporters in the northern rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi.

He made the comments after meeting Norway's Ambassador Hans Battskar and Swiss Ambassador Bernadino Regazzoni and discussed preparations and the travel arrangements for the Tiger delegation attending the talks in Geneva, rebel spokesman Daya Master said.

The Tigers started their violent campaign in 1983 to carve out a separate state for minority Tamils accusing majority Sinhalese of discrimination.

More than 65,000 people were killed in the fighting before the cease-fire. Peace talks broke down in 2003 over disagreements on postwar power sharing.

Discuss this story Published: Thu Feb 9 09:05:10 EST 2006

"Events of recent weeks have highlighted the difficult question of what should be the legitimate scope of freedom of expression in culturally diverse societies.While different societies have drawn the boundaries of free speech in different ways, the cartoon controversy shows how, in today's increasingly global media space, the impact of actions in one country can be felt way beyond its borders. Today, more than ever, societies are faced with the challenge of asserting universal human rights principles in an area where there has traditionally been a tendency to defer to the domestic laws of a particular state and the values they enshrine.

"Set against the backdrop of the rising climate of intolerance and suspicion between religious and other communities in many parts of the world, including in Europe, two conflicting sets of principles are being advanced in this controversy.

"Newspaper editors have justified the publication of cartoons that many Muslims have regarded as insulting, arguing that freedom of artistic expression and critique of opinions and beliefs are essential in a pluralist and democratic society. On the other hand, Muslims in numerous countries have found the cartoons to be deeply offensive to their religious beliefs and an abuse of freedom of speech. In a number of cases, protests against the cartoons have degenerated into acts of physical violence, while public statements by some protestors and community leaders have been seen as fanning the flames of hostility and violence," Amnesty International pointed out.

The right to freedom of opinion and expression should be one of the cornerstones of any society. This right includes "the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media, regardless of frontiers" (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 19). For more than forty years, Amnesty International (AI) has defended this right against attempts by governments across the globe to stifle religious dissent, political opposition and artistic creativity.

However, the right to freedom of expression is not absolute -- neither for the creators of material nor their critics. It carries responsibilities and it may, therefore, be subject to restrictions in the name of safeguarding the rights of others. In particular, any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence cannot be considered legitimate exercise of freedom of expression. Under international standards, such "hate speech" should be prohibited by law, AI impressed.

Amnesty International also called upon government officials and those responsible for law enforcement and the administration of justice to be guided by these human rights principles in their handling of the current situation.

"AI also calls on those working in the media to act with sensitivity and responsibility so as not to exacerbate the current situation. This incident highlights the power and reach of the media and AI calls on those in the media to apply greater political judgement, taking into account the potential impact of their output and the range of often competing human rights considerations involved," the statement noted.

While AI recognises the right of anyone to peacefully express their opinion, including through peaceful protests, the use and threat of violence is unacceptable. Community leaders must do everything in their power to defuse the current atmosphere of hostility and violence. Culture and religion are of central importance to many people's lives, but they cannot be used as an excuse to abuse human rights

Discuss this story Published: Thu Feb 9 08:46:05 EST 2006