Thursday, January 22, 2009
மியாவ்!
Forwarded mail
மியாவ்!
Have you ever wonder why the Tamil TB (Tweeting Brahmas)community on net is in praise of ARR, but says nothing about MIA after the success of Slumdog Millionaire @ GG? Slam dunk! Read this. You may understand the reason behind it. Unlike many of the insensitive Tamil TB community on Net, she is sympathetic to the suffering endured by the Sri Lankan Tamilians, and she is one of them.
Defeating terrorism must not be at cost of civilian killings - MIA
by Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam
While there is no room in the world for terrorist organizations, their defeat cannot come at the expense of thousands of innocent civilian lives.
The greatest failing of the Bush administration’s “war on terror” is not its inability to meet its prime objectives (e.g. capturing Osama Bin Laden, eradicating the threat of WMDS in Iraq, and removing Al Qaeda from Afghanistan). Rather, it is that America has given credibility to the act and the notion of pursuing terrorists at all costs.
The Bush administration has decided to ignore the very tenets of democracy (the U.S. constitution, Geneva convention, among others) in pursuit of winning the “war on terror.” In doing so, it sent a very clear message to the rest of the world: all bets are off where terrorism is involved.
Today, we can clearly see the ripple effect. In Sri Lanka, my home country, the Colombo government has massacred hundreds of thousands of civilians in order to eliminate the threat posed by a small yet defiant group widely known as the Tamil Tigers (also known as the LTTE or Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). Make no mistake, the LTTE have engaged in reprehensible terrorist activities that have needlessly taken the lives of both civilians and heads of state. The LTTE’s use of child soldiers and suicide bombers is unconscionable, and has rightly been condemned by the international community. But now the eyeglass must turn to the Colombo government as the conflict enters its 25th year. The war has resulted in what many humanitarian groups are now calling genocide. And sadly, for the Tamil people, time is running out.
Just last month, the New York-based Genocide Prevention Project released a report that listed Sri Lanka among the top eight “red alert” countries currently experiencing genocide conflicts. And Human Rights Watch estimates that between 230,000 to 300,000 Tamil people have been trapped in the Vanni conflict zone by the government, denied food and basic living essentials.
Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that no one knows how severe the crisis is because the Sri Lankan government has barred foreign media from reporting on the subject and severely limited the presence of humanitarian organizations. And worse, as demonstrated by the recent murder of Lasantha Wickramatunga, a Sri Lankan journalist critical of the war against the LTTE, those that question the government are putting their lives in jeopardy.
Yet other than the UN’s slap-on-the-wrist gesture of stripping Sri Lanka of its seat on the Human Rights Council in May of 2008, the World has remained silent about this emerging humanitarian crisis. What is even more disconcerting is that the global mainstream media has largely ignored the Tamil civilian causalities, and has actually praised the Sri Lankan government for “running an effective military campaign.” Additionally, somewhere along the way the media has managed to portray every Tamil as a Tamil Tiger, including myself.
Also read
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/02/lady-tamil-tiger-gives-pop-culture-a-bang/
http://www.desihits.com/blog/article/65279exclusive-interview-mia-20090112
Full text is at
http://transcurrents.com/tc/2009/01/defeating_terrorism_must_not_b.html
மியாவ்!
Have you ever wonder why the Tamil TB (Tweeting Brahmas)community on net is in praise of ARR, but says nothing about MIA after the success of Slumdog Millionaire @ GG? Slam dunk! Read this. You may understand the reason behind it. Unlike many of the insensitive Tamil TB community on Net, she is sympathetic to the suffering endured by the Sri Lankan Tamilians, and she is one of them.
Defeating terrorism must not be at cost of civilian killings - MIA
by Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam
While there is no room in the world for terrorist organizations, their defeat cannot come at the expense of thousands of innocent civilian lives.
The greatest failing of the Bush administration’s “war on terror” is not its inability to meet its prime objectives (e.g. capturing Osama Bin Laden, eradicating the threat of WMDS in Iraq, and removing Al Qaeda from Afghanistan). Rather, it is that America has given credibility to the act and the notion of pursuing terrorists at all costs.
The Bush administration has decided to ignore the very tenets of democracy (the U.S. constitution, Geneva convention, among others) in pursuit of winning the “war on terror.” In doing so, it sent a very clear message to the rest of the world: all bets are off where terrorism is involved.
Today, we can clearly see the ripple effect. In Sri Lanka, my home country, the Colombo government has massacred hundreds of thousands of civilians in order to eliminate the threat posed by a small yet defiant group widely known as the Tamil Tigers (also known as the LTTE or Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). Make no mistake, the LTTE have engaged in reprehensible terrorist activities that have needlessly taken the lives of both civilians and heads of state. The LTTE’s use of child soldiers and suicide bombers is unconscionable, and has rightly been condemned by the international community. But now the eyeglass must turn to the Colombo government as the conflict enters its 25th year. The war has resulted in what many humanitarian groups are now calling genocide. And sadly, for the Tamil people, time is running out.
Just last month, the New York-based Genocide Prevention Project released a report that listed Sri Lanka among the top eight “red alert” countries currently experiencing genocide conflicts. And Human Rights Watch estimates that between 230,000 to 300,000 Tamil people have been trapped in the Vanni conflict zone by the government, denied food and basic living essentials.
Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that no one knows how severe the crisis is because the Sri Lankan government has barred foreign media from reporting on the subject and severely limited the presence of humanitarian organizations. And worse, as demonstrated by the recent murder of Lasantha Wickramatunga, a Sri Lankan journalist critical of the war against the LTTE, those that question the government are putting their lives in jeopardy.
Yet other than the UN’s slap-on-the-wrist gesture of stripping Sri Lanka of its seat on the Human Rights Council in May of 2008, the World has remained silent about this emerging humanitarian crisis. What is even more disconcerting is that the global mainstream media has largely ignored the Tamil civilian causalities, and has actually praised the Sri Lankan government for “running an effective military campaign.” Additionally, somewhere along the way the media has managed to portray every Tamil as a Tamil Tiger, including myself.
Also read
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/02/lady-tamil-tiger-gives-pop-culture-a-bang/
http://www.desihits.com/blog/article/65279exclusive-interview-mia-20090112
Full text is at
http://transcurrents.com/tc/2009/01/defeating_terrorism_must_not_b.html
Labels: MIA, Tamil TB community, Tamils
Compliance Issues with HR 2764 of the 110th US Congress – the Case against US Embassy in Colombo and the US State Department.
Compliance Issues with HR 2764 of the 110th US Congress – the Case against US Embassy in Colombo and the US State Department.
By: Tom Webber
Courtesy: TCNR - January 21, 2009
http://www.tamilcanadian.com/page.php?cat=61&id=5671
Tamil Diaspora just watches helplessly as the Tamil genocide in the North of Sri Lanka continues unabatedly. Hundreds of thousands of Tamils are made to wander in the open to avoid bombing from air and ground without food, medicine and proper protection. Daily, one hears about a steady stream of civilian casualties caused by aerial bombardment. Tamil civilians are constantly abused by the armed forces of Sri Lanka in the name of fighting terrorism. Repeatedly Tamils had said they did not want to belong to a nation that had their second class citizenry stamped in the Constitution and imposed with its military. How clearer could they be? Neglected even when a tsunami of a great magnitude devastated their areas and now being cowed down by an imposing military aided by all militaristic nations near and far, the Tamils of Northern Sri Lanka now face extinction. If they were animals they would been granted the status of endangered species many years ago. The white van abductions, media suppression, corruption and fanning of chauvinism go unabated in the Southern Lanka.
More critical is the tragedy of the internally displaced and the ghettoing of Tamil areas in a manner similar to Gaza in the North. .The affected populace is helplessly crying for help. Now that their own fighting force is marginalized so are their pleas for help. The US, by its own bragging, a champion of human rights, is simply not only watching this genocide, but aiding in the deliberate killing of Tamils by the Sri Lankan Government. The overarching theme of fighting terrorism and a perceived need to claim to the world that the US is not just against the Islamic Fundamentalist terror, the machines of defense apparatus are vey keen on seeing to it that the LTTE is eliminated. The formula based, US approach of categorizing terrorists of recent past, now politically challenged by Mr. Obama and Ms. Hillary Clinton and the vigor of fighting the so called terrorists that ensued even by illegal means was the hall mark of the defense establishment. The two-faced nature of US foreign policy, if ever there was a coherent and overt one, emphasizing on one hand, human rights and on the other hand covertly approving such abuses by “ friendly governments” will not definitely subscribe to the necessary moral standards required of a Nation claiming to have a Perfect Union. The eagerness to fight a winning war against so called terrorists by the defense establishment is enhanced now that their war against real terrorists is a losing one. The weakness in this approach is the lack of efforts in building up alternatives to LTTE through grass roots support from affected Tamil populace. Because of biased media, the policy makers cannot see through the fact that, in the Tamil mind, there is no allegiance to the welfare of Tamils by the Sri Lankan government and they had thrown their lot with LTTE. Thus, it is inevitable that a workable peace process could be implemented only through working with the LTTE..
Unlike India, which also grossly aids in this genocide, again in the name of being even keeled about separatists within and outside its borders, the US has legislation that would stop its machinery from aiding the Sri Lankan Government (SLG). India does not heed to the cries of the Tamil Nadu Government who have told the Central Government in unequivocal terms that no help should be provided to SLG. The democracy in India is heavily tilted towards the corrupt powerful with vested interests and it would be difficult for this group to see the success of a grass roots fighting force. The anti-Tamil US-India nexus is primarily driven by the US Embassy, now, largely ignoring the HR 2764 of 2008 and is covert. Sri Lanka observers see a couple of phenomena that would subscribe to the hypothesis of possible covert operations by US resulting in heightened levels of human rights crisis in the Isalnd, in the name of fighting terrorism.
The silence over Mr. Gothabaya Rajapakse’s high-handed approach in all matters of SLG, the repeated appearance of US Commanders in the Island against the spirit of the HR 2764, the treatment of Tamil suspects in Guantanamo style by Sri Lankan military and the constant ignoring by the US Embassy in Sri Lanka as the genocide proceeds would easily point out to a collusion in the Sri Lankan case. The media support for this operation derived through such mechanisms as University Teachers for Human Rights (UTHR), a sabbatical for Hindu Reporters Nirupama Subramaniam in Harvard are also seen as the multi-pronged approach in demonizing the Tamil struggle in Sri Lanka. The efforts of the US in recruiting Indian media help is obvious for everybody to see. The likes of N. Ram of Hindu, Subramaniam Swamy and Cho Ramasamy, supported covertly, continue to portray Tamil struggle as terroristic and nothing more. Not withstanding the real ground truth, these media men would have everybody believe that, the Rajapakse Regime is so caring of Tamils and Tamil rights in the Isalnd. One could easily see the chicanery of N. Ram of Hindu by the award of Sri Lanka Ratna and of the Best Asia Journalist award in 2008 by the SLG which now stands accused of repressing the media and of killing Mr. Lasantha Wickremathunge, the Editor of Sunday Leader.
It is not far fetched to see that the Rapajapkse’s acts of impunity could have been aided by possible US assurances given behind the scenes. The Indian assurances come in the wake of US assurances. Ambassador Blake’s comments in the case of the recent killing of Mr. Lasantha Wickrematunge came very late in the timeline after his near silence on even worse abuses through the white van abduction issues, civilian killings in the North and the human rights and humanitarian crisis in Vanni. The US Embassy in Colombo has not been proactive in ensuring clauses of HR 2764.
It may be good to review the Relevant clauses of the HR 2764 at this juncture. They are: SEC. 699G. (a) None of the funds appropriated by this Act under the heading `Foreign Military Financing Program' may be made available for assistance for Sri Lanka, no defense export license may be issued, and no military equipment or technology shall be sold or transferred to Sri Lanka pursuant to the authorities contained in this Act or any other Act, unless the Secretary of State certifies to the Committee on Appropriations that—
(1) the Sri Lankan military is suspending and the Sri Lankan Government is bringing to justice members of the military who have been credibly alleged to have committed gross violations of human rights or international humanitarian law, including complicity in the recruitment of child soldiers;
(2) the Sri Lankan Government is providing access to humanitarian organizations and journalists throughout the country consistent with international humanitarian law; and
(3) the Sri Lankan Government has agreed to the establishment of a field presence of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Sri Lanka with sufficient staff and mandate to conduct full and unfettered monitoring throughout the country and to publicize its findings. (b) Subsection(a) shall not apply to technology or equipment made available for the limited purposes of maritime and air surveillance and communications.
How did, despite House Resolution (HR) 2764, a US Army Commander show up on the Northern war front of Sri Lanka with the Sri Lankan military brass in December of 2008 ignoring restrictions imposed under Section 699G? Why did not Major General of Pacific Command Tom Conant visit and assess the humanitarian crisis in the North inflicted by military operations by Sri Lanka? He and his colleagues, in contravention to HR 2764 met with army personnel and politicians, now that there is proof that the SLG itself has engaged child soldiers. General Conant met with former rebels who have been accused of recruiting child soldiers. Is this not contravention of Section 699G?
Why is Ambassador Blake very silent about the white van abductions in Colombo and in the Northern part of the Island in public? Why has not the US Ambassador pushed for the reforms expected in HR 2764? What did the State Department do between September 24th when Secretary Boucher expressed concerns about humanitarian crisis and now, through which time there is hardly any movement on the issue? A statement from Ambassador Blake from Colombo would have done more good for HR 2764 compliance than the Statement from Wsahington did not have courage like Ambassador Weerth of Germany to speak against the killing of Mr. Weerathunge. Consistently. The Ambassador had been beating up on the Tamil side, indicating his propensity towards non-compliance with HR 2764.
An example of being in collusion with the Sri Lankan genocide by the small officialdom of the US Embassy is clear by the statement from Deputy Spokesman Robert Wood on attacks on media and the killing of Mr. Lasantha. Wickrematunge. There was no reference to the Vanni humanitarian crisis nor was there any reference to the prior killing of other journalists. This cry from the US State Department is definitely hypocritical. While maintaining silence when scores of civilians continue to get killed and left without any means to mend for themselves in the North to worry only about happenings in Colombo is the utmost crime of this officialdom. It is in this act of imbalance, you see the collusion between the dark and irrational elements of the US defense establishment, the US Embassy in Colombo and the Rajapakse regime.
The basic questions to the US State Department and the Defense Establishment in light of compliying with HR 2764 are:
What have you done regarding implementing House Resolution HR 2764?
Why is the US silent about the Tamil Genocide and why is it aiding and abetting a government engaged in such genocide and human rights violations?
What has the US done to listen to the opinions of ordinary Tamil folks affected by the war?
Now that Kilinochchi is a liberated area and out of LTTE control what is the delay in a visit by US Embassy official to assess the humanitarian crisis there?
Why was the US Embassy always silent about the crisis in Vanni?
Why no help was offered by the US Embassy for war affected people in Vanni? Why was no help from USAID offered in this case?
What is the stance regarding the war affected populace in the North?
If LTTE is a terrorist organization, why is the delay in declaring Sri Lanka a rogue Nation now evidence is available indicating that it qualifies for it?
If HR 2764 prohibits the export of cluster bombs, would not that use by GSL be requested to be stopped?
What us the position of the State Department regarding the use of cluster bombs now that the evidence of such use by GSL is available?
The reforms expected in HR 2764 of Sri Lanka have never taken place. In fact the violations have increased. Repeatedly, the Tamil Diaspora and human rights organizations have indicated that the Sri Lankan crisis is another Darfur. It is sad that the US small officialdom in Colombo, duped by a host government bent on genocide of its minority, faisl to perceive the gravity of the situation. Perhaps, one should live through such terrible conditions in the open, without food and medicine, constantly made to wander and bombed from air to get a sense of this tragedy. I challenge reporters and opinion writers from the foreign media, including the Sinhalese media to reside with the suffering population at least for a week and then report.
By: Tom Webber
Courtesy: TCNR - January 21, 2009
http://www.tamilcanadian.com/page.php?cat=61&id=5671
Tamil Diaspora just watches helplessly as the Tamil genocide in the North of Sri Lanka continues unabatedly. Hundreds of thousands of Tamils are made to wander in the open to avoid bombing from air and ground without food, medicine and proper protection. Daily, one hears about a steady stream of civilian casualties caused by aerial bombardment. Tamil civilians are constantly abused by the armed forces of Sri Lanka in the name of fighting terrorism. Repeatedly Tamils had said they did not want to belong to a nation that had their second class citizenry stamped in the Constitution and imposed with its military. How clearer could they be? Neglected even when a tsunami of a great magnitude devastated their areas and now being cowed down by an imposing military aided by all militaristic nations near and far, the Tamils of Northern Sri Lanka now face extinction. If they were animals they would been granted the status of endangered species many years ago. The white van abductions, media suppression, corruption and fanning of chauvinism go unabated in the Southern Lanka.
More critical is the tragedy of the internally displaced and the ghettoing of Tamil areas in a manner similar to Gaza in the North. .The affected populace is helplessly crying for help. Now that their own fighting force is marginalized so are their pleas for help. The US, by its own bragging, a champion of human rights, is simply not only watching this genocide, but aiding in the deliberate killing of Tamils by the Sri Lankan Government. The overarching theme of fighting terrorism and a perceived need to claim to the world that the US is not just against the Islamic Fundamentalist terror, the machines of defense apparatus are vey keen on seeing to it that the LTTE is eliminated. The formula based, US approach of categorizing terrorists of recent past, now politically challenged by Mr. Obama and Ms. Hillary Clinton and the vigor of fighting the so called terrorists that ensued even by illegal means was the hall mark of the defense establishment. The two-faced nature of US foreign policy, if ever there was a coherent and overt one, emphasizing on one hand, human rights and on the other hand covertly approving such abuses by “ friendly governments” will not definitely subscribe to the necessary moral standards required of a Nation claiming to have a Perfect Union. The eagerness to fight a winning war against so called terrorists by the defense establishment is enhanced now that their war against real terrorists is a losing one. The weakness in this approach is the lack of efforts in building up alternatives to LTTE through grass roots support from affected Tamil populace. Because of biased media, the policy makers cannot see through the fact that, in the Tamil mind, there is no allegiance to the welfare of Tamils by the Sri Lankan government and they had thrown their lot with LTTE. Thus, it is inevitable that a workable peace process could be implemented only through working with the LTTE..
Unlike India, which also grossly aids in this genocide, again in the name of being even keeled about separatists within and outside its borders, the US has legislation that would stop its machinery from aiding the Sri Lankan Government (SLG). India does not heed to the cries of the Tamil Nadu Government who have told the Central Government in unequivocal terms that no help should be provided to SLG. The democracy in India is heavily tilted towards the corrupt powerful with vested interests and it would be difficult for this group to see the success of a grass roots fighting force. The anti-Tamil US-India nexus is primarily driven by the US Embassy, now, largely ignoring the HR 2764 of 2008 and is covert. Sri Lanka observers see a couple of phenomena that would subscribe to the hypothesis of possible covert operations by US resulting in heightened levels of human rights crisis in the Isalnd, in the name of fighting terrorism.
The silence over Mr. Gothabaya Rajapakse’s high-handed approach in all matters of SLG, the repeated appearance of US Commanders in the Island against the spirit of the HR 2764, the treatment of Tamil suspects in Guantanamo style by Sri Lankan military and the constant ignoring by the US Embassy in Sri Lanka as the genocide proceeds would easily point out to a collusion in the Sri Lankan case. The media support for this operation derived through such mechanisms as University Teachers for Human Rights (UTHR), a sabbatical for Hindu Reporters Nirupama Subramaniam in Harvard are also seen as the multi-pronged approach in demonizing the Tamil struggle in Sri Lanka. The efforts of the US in recruiting Indian media help is obvious for everybody to see. The likes of N. Ram of Hindu, Subramaniam Swamy and Cho Ramasamy, supported covertly, continue to portray Tamil struggle as terroristic and nothing more. Not withstanding the real ground truth, these media men would have everybody believe that, the Rajapakse Regime is so caring of Tamils and Tamil rights in the Isalnd. One could easily see the chicanery of N. Ram of Hindu by the award of Sri Lanka Ratna and of the Best Asia Journalist award in 2008 by the SLG which now stands accused of repressing the media and of killing Mr. Lasantha Wickremathunge, the Editor of Sunday Leader.
It is not far fetched to see that the Rapajapkse’s acts of impunity could have been aided by possible US assurances given behind the scenes. The Indian assurances come in the wake of US assurances. Ambassador Blake’s comments in the case of the recent killing of Mr. Lasantha Wickrematunge came very late in the timeline after his near silence on even worse abuses through the white van abduction issues, civilian killings in the North and the human rights and humanitarian crisis in Vanni. The US Embassy in Colombo has not been proactive in ensuring clauses of HR 2764.
It may be good to review the Relevant clauses of the HR 2764 at this juncture. They are: SEC. 699G. (a) None of the funds appropriated by this Act under the heading `Foreign Military Financing Program' may be made available for assistance for Sri Lanka, no defense export license may be issued, and no military equipment or technology shall be sold or transferred to Sri Lanka pursuant to the authorities contained in this Act or any other Act, unless the Secretary of State certifies to the Committee on Appropriations that—
(1) the Sri Lankan military is suspending and the Sri Lankan Government is bringing to justice members of the military who have been credibly alleged to have committed gross violations of human rights or international humanitarian law, including complicity in the recruitment of child soldiers;
(2) the Sri Lankan Government is providing access to humanitarian organizations and journalists throughout the country consistent with international humanitarian law; and
(3) the Sri Lankan Government has agreed to the establishment of a field presence of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Sri Lanka with sufficient staff and mandate to conduct full and unfettered monitoring throughout the country and to publicize its findings. (b) Subsection(a) shall not apply to technology or equipment made available for the limited purposes of maritime and air surveillance and communications.
How did, despite House Resolution (HR) 2764, a US Army Commander show up on the Northern war front of Sri Lanka with the Sri Lankan military brass in December of 2008 ignoring restrictions imposed under Section 699G? Why did not Major General of Pacific Command Tom Conant visit and assess the humanitarian crisis in the North inflicted by military operations by Sri Lanka? He and his colleagues, in contravention to HR 2764 met with army personnel and politicians, now that there is proof that the SLG itself has engaged child soldiers. General Conant met with former rebels who have been accused of recruiting child soldiers. Is this not contravention of Section 699G?
Why is Ambassador Blake very silent about the white van abductions in Colombo and in the Northern part of the Island in public? Why has not the US Ambassador pushed for the reforms expected in HR 2764? What did the State Department do between September 24th when Secretary Boucher expressed concerns about humanitarian crisis and now, through which time there is hardly any movement on the issue? A statement from Ambassador Blake from Colombo would have done more good for HR 2764 compliance than the Statement from Wsahington did not have courage like Ambassador Weerth of Germany to speak against the killing of Mr. Weerathunge. Consistently. The Ambassador had been beating up on the Tamil side, indicating his propensity towards non-compliance with HR 2764.
An example of being in collusion with the Sri Lankan genocide by the small officialdom of the US Embassy is clear by the statement from Deputy Spokesman Robert Wood on attacks on media and the killing of Mr. Lasantha. Wickrematunge. There was no reference to the Vanni humanitarian crisis nor was there any reference to the prior killing of other journalists. This cry from the US State Department is definitely hypocritical. While maintaining silence when scores of civilians continue to get killed and left without any means to mend for themselves in the North to worry only about happenings in Colombo is the utmost crime of this officialdom. It is in this act of imbalance, you see the collusion between the dark and irrational elements of the US defense establishment, the US Embassy in Colombo and the Rajapakse regime.
The basic questions to the US State Department and the Defense Establishment in light of compliying with HR 2764 are:
What have you done regarding implementing House Resolution HR 2764?
Why is the US silent about the Tamil Genocide and why is it aiding and abetting a government engaged in such genocide and human rights violations?
What has the US done to listen to the opinions of ordinary Tamil folks affected by the war?
Now that Kilinochchi is a liberated area and out of LTTE control what is the delay in a visit by US Embassy official to assess the humanitarian crisis there?
Why was the US Embassy always silent about the crisis in Vanni?
Why no help was offered by the US Embassy for war affected people in Vanni? Why was no help from USAID offered in this case?
What is the stance regarding the war affected populace in the North?
If LTTE is a terrorist organization, why is the delay in declaring Sri Lanka a rogue Nation now evidence is available indicating that it qualifies for it?
If HR 2764 prohibits the export of cluster bombs, would not that use by GSL be requested to be stopped?
What us the position of the State Department regarding the use of cluster bombs now that the evidence of such use by GSL is available?
The reforms expected in HR 2764 of Sri Lanka have never taken place. In fact the violations have increased. Repeatedly, the Tamil Diaspora and human rights organizations have indicated that the Sri Lankan crisis is another Darfur. It is sad that the US small officialdom in Colombo, duped by a host government bent on genocide of its minority, faisl to perceive the gravity of the situation. Perhaps, one should live through such terrible conditions in the open, without food and medicine, constantly made to wander and bombed from air to get a sense of this tragedy. I challenge reporters and opinion writers from the foreign media, including the Sinhalese media to reside with the suffering population at least for a week and then report.
Labels: Tamils, US Congress, US Embassy, US State Department
Friday, January 16, 2009
"செஞ்சிலுவைச்சங்கம் ஈழத்தமிழருக்காகச் செயற்படுவதைக் கண்டிப்போம்" - தமிழ்நாடு காங்கிரசிடமிருந்து விரைவில் தமிழ்மக்கள் எதிர்பார்க்கக்கூடிய அறிக்கை
Sent by a friend
"தமிழ்நாட்டை விடுதலைப் புலிகளிடமிருந்து காப்பாற்றிய ஐவர்: ராஜிவ் காந்தி,ஜெயலலிதா,சோ,ஹிந்து ராம்,தினமலர்"
இன்று இந்த அறிக்கையை இணையத்திலே பார்த்திருப்பீர்கள்.
"செஞ்சிலுவைச்சங்கம் ஈழத்தமிழருக்காகச் செயற்படுவதைக் கண்டிப்போம்" - தமிழ்நாடு காங்கிரஸ்
இப்படியான அறிக்கையைப் பார்க்க நேர்ந்தால், ஆச்சரியப்படாதீர்கள்.
BBC
13:42 GMT, Friday, 16 January 2009
ICRC fear for Sri Lanka civilians
The ICRC says there should be an escape route for civilians
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says that intense fighting in northern Sri Lanka has caused a "massive displacement" of civilians.
It says thousands of people trapped inside rebel-held territory have had to flee several times in recent months.
An ICRC official, Paul Castella, told the BBC that fighting had stopped relief supplies being delivered to rebel-held areas for nearly a week.
He said that there were serious concerns about a lack of food.
Full Text is at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7833443.stm
"தமிழ்நாட்டை விடுதலைப் புலிகளிடமிருந்து காப்பாற்றிய ஐவர்: ராஜிவ் காந்தி,ஜெயலலிதா,சோ,ஹிந்து ராம்,தினமலர்"
இன்று இந்த அறிக்கையை இணையத்திலே பார்த்திருப்பீர்கள்.
"செஞ்சிலுவைச்சங்கம் ஈழத்தமிழருக்காகச் செயற்படுவதைக் கண்டிப்போம்" - தமிழ்நாடு காங்கிரஸ்
இப்படியான அறிக்கையைப் பார்க்க நேர்ந்தால், ஆச்சரியப்படாதீர்கள்.
BBC
13:42 GMT, Friday, 16 January 2009
ICRC fear for Sri Lanka civilians
The ICRC says there should be an escape route for civilians
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says that intense fighting in northern Sri Lanka has caused a "massive displacement" of civilians.
It says thousands of people trapped inside rebel-held territory have had to flee several times in recent months.
An ICRC official, Paul Castella, told the BBC that fighting had stopped relief supplies being delivered to rebel-held areas for nearly a week.
He said that there were serious concerns about a lack of food.
Full Text is at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7833443.stm
Labels: ICRC, IDPs, Tamils, தமிழர்
Thursday, January 15, 2009
அகிலமன்னிப்புச்சபை இந்தியாவிடம் வேண்டுகோள்
ஆயுதம் கொடுப்பவனையே காக்கச் சொல்லும் அன்நாஸ்ரி.
காத்துக் காத்திருப்பவன் காக்கவா பார்ப்பான்?
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/india-urged-raise-human-rights-issues-sri-lanka-20090115
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA20/001/2009/en
Amnesty International writes to Indian Foreign secy urging protection for civilians in the Wanni, Sri Lanka
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
OPEN LETTER
AI Index: ASA 20/001/2009
Date: 14 January 2009
Open letter to Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon urging protection for civilians in the Wanni, Sri Lanka
Mr. Shivshankar Menon
Secretary
Ministry for External Affairs
South Block, Raisina Hill,
New Delhi – 110011
India
Dear Mr. Menon
On the occasion of your upcoming visit to Sri Lanka, Amnesty International calls on you to raise, with your Sri Lankan counterparts, concerns about the safety of civilians trapped in the Wanni, as government forces close in on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) bases in the north-eastern part of the island. We also ask that you discuss the general deterioration of human rights in the country, even in areas not directly affected by the conflict.
More than a quarter of a million people, mostly Tamils, face immense hardship and are running out of safe space in the face of intensified fighting between the two sides. This population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) is trapped between the approaching Sri Lankan security forces and the LTTE, which has imposed restrictions on their ability to leave and is using them as an involuntary pool of recruits and labourers. With the Sri Lankan government’s recent recapture of Killinochchi, hundreds of thousands of people have been compressed into a smaller area and are increasingly vulnerable. As the fighting encroaches on the trapped population, there are fears of a further mass exodus of civilians.
Lack of protection to civilians during fighting
Given the restrictions imposed by both sides on independent media and humanitarian aid workers, there is little independent verification of conditions in the conflict area. Available information suggests that over 300,000 people are experiencing tremendous insecurity and food shortages aggravated by the fact that many of these families have sold most of their possessions to cope with multiple displacements.
In November 2008, Amnesty International drew attention to acute food and shelter shortages facing this population (Amnesty International, Sri Lankan government must act now to protect 300,000 displaced, 19 November 2008). At the time, the organisation welcomed the food supplies that were sent by the Indian authorities. As humanitarian supplies, including those sent by the Indian government, have since dwindled, aid workers express fears that many of the displaced are vulnerable to potential public health problems and are receiving far less calories than the daily recommended allowance. Also, civilians injured in the fighting cannot be transported outside the Wanni for urgent treatment due to road closures by the security forces.
As hostilities have intensified, the LTTE have stepped up its recruitment, especially of younger people. LTTE continue to hinder people from moving to safer places by imposing a strict pass system. In some instances they have forced family members to stay behind to ensure the return of the rest of the family.
Despite assurances by the government of Sri Lanka that the situation is under control, there is evidence to suggest that the authorities lack the capacity to provide the required humanitarian relief to displaced people. Humanitarian access to the Wanni continues to be restricted. Only government-approved food convoys are allowed to enter the area since the authorities ordered the United Nations, and nearly all humanitarian agencies, to withdraw from the Wanni on 9 September 2008.
On 29 and 30 December 2008, an Inter-Agency support mission accompanied the World Food Program-led convoy in order to monitor implementation of United Nations (UN) funded programmes and conduct a needs assessment. The mission noted increased vulnerability of the civilian population due to several factors including: ongoing fighting, new and repeated displacements into an increasingly compressed area, flood damage and reduced capacity and material to address urgent shelter and sanitation needs.
Attacks on media
Away from the front lines, the general human rights situation in government-controlled areas has deteriorated (Amnesty International has previously criticized the LTTE for severely curtailing civil and political rights in areas under their control). Amnesty International is appalled at the increasing instances of attacks on the media, including the recent assassination of the editor of the Sunday Leader, Lasantha Wickramatunge in Colombo and attack on the privately owned Maharaja television/MTV studios in Colombo which was ransacked by a gang who used claymore bombs to damage property.
During your upcoming discussions with the Government of Sri Lanka, you should pay special attention to the severe difficulties facing the people of Sri Lanka. Amnesty International urges you:
To raise issue of the civilian protection and press for urgently needed humanitarian assistance to reach civilians who are trapped between the two sides. Pressure must also be put on the LTTE to allow free passage of displaced families from the Wanni with immediate effect.
To press for international monitors to assess the humanitarian needs of quarter of a million people trapped in the Wanni and to ensure proper distribution of food and other humanitarian assistance, particularly as the fighting pproaches the trapped civilian population.
To raise the issue of attacks on the media and press for impartial investigation into the same.
Thank you for your consideration for the above recommendations, and we look forward to your response at the earliest.
Sincerely,
Sam Zarifi
Program Director
Asia-Pacific Program
END/
Public Document
****************************************
For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5566 or email: press@amnesty.org
International Secretariat, Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW, UK www.amnesty.org
India urged to raise human rights issues in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
© Amnesty International
15 January 2009
As the Indian Foreign Secretary visits Sri Lanka this week, he has been urged to raise concerns over the safety of displaced civilians trapped in the Wanni, in discussions with the Government of Sri Lanka.
In an open letter to Shivshankar Menon, Amnesty International has asked him to pay special attention to the severe difficulties facing the people caught in the middle of the fighting. The letter points to government forces closing in on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) bases in the north-eastern part of the island.
The letter also calls on him to discuss the general deterioration of human rights in the country, even in areas not directly affected by the conflict.
More than a quarter of a million people, mostly Tamils, face immense hardship and are running out of safe space in the face of intensified fighting between the two sides.
These displaced persons are trapped between the approaching Sri Lankan security forces and the LTTE, which has imposed restrictions on their ability to leave and is using them as an involuntary pool of recruits and labourers.
With the Sri Lankan government’s recent recapture of Killinochchi, hundreds of thousands of people have been compressed into a smaller area and are increasingly vulnerable. As the fighting encroaches on the trapped population, there are fears of a further mass exodus of civilians.
Amnesty International highlighted the situation in November 2008, drawing attention to the acute food and shelter shortages facing the displaced.
At the time, the organization welcomed the food supplies that were sent by the Indian authorities. Humanitarian supplies, including those sent by the Indian government, have since dwindled.
The letter says aid workers fear that many of the displaced are "vulnerable to potential public health problems and are receiving far less calories than the daily recommended allowance.
"Also, civilians injured in the fighting cannot be transported outside the Wanni for urgent treatment due to road closures by the security forces."
Despite assurances by the Government of Sri Lanka that the situation is under control, there is evidence to suggest that the authorities lack the capacity to provide the required humanitarian relief to displaced people.
"Humanitarian access to the Wanni continues to be restricted," says the letter, "Only government-approved food convoys are allowed to enter the area since the authorities ordered the United Nations, and nearly all humanitarian agencies, to withdraw from the Wanni on 9 September 2008."
On 29 and 30 December 2008, an Inter-Agency support mission accompanied the World Food Program-led convoy in order to monitor implementation of United Nations (UN) funded programmes and conduct a needs assessment.
"The mission noted increased vulnerability of the civilian population due to several factors including: ongoing fighting, new and repeated displacements into an increasingly compressed area, flood damage and reduced capacity and material to address urgent shelter and sanitation needs," according to the letter.
Another issue that Amnesty International has asked Mr Menon to address is the increasing number of attacks on the media. The editor of the Sunday Leader, Lasantha Wickramatunge was assassinated in Colombo recently. There was also an attack on the privately owned Maharaja television/MTV studios in Colombo which was ransacked by a gang who used claymore bombs to damage property.
The main recommendations Amnesty International's letter made to Mr Menon were to:
raise the issue of civilian protection and press for urgently needed humanitarian assistance to reach civilians who are trapped between the two sides. Pressure must also be put on the LTTE to allow free passage of displaced families from the Wanni with immediate effect.
press for international monitors to assess the humanitarian needs of quarter of a million people trapped in the Wanni and to ensure proper distribution of food and other humanitarian assistance, particularly as the fighting approaches the trapped civilian population.
raise the issue of attacks on the media and press for impartial investigation into the same.
discuss the general deterioration of human rights in the country, even in areas not directly affected by the conflict.
காத்துக் காத்திருப்பவன் காக்கவா பார்ப்பான்?
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/india-urged-raise-human-rights-issues-sri-lanka-20090115
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA20/001/2009/en
Amnesty International writes to Indian Foreign secy urging protection for civilians in the Wanni, Sri Lanka
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
OPEN LETTER
AI Index: ASA 20/001/2009
Date: 14 January 2009
Open letter to Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon urging protection for civilians in the Wanni, Sri Lanka
Mr. Shivshankar Menon
Secretary
Ministry for External Affairs
South Block, Raisina Hill,
New Delhi – 110011
India
Dear Mr. Menon
On the occasion of your upcoming visit to Sri Lanka, Amnesty International calls on you to raise, with your Sri Lankan counterparts, concerns about the safety of civilians trapped in the Wanni, as government forces close in on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) bases in the north-eastern part of the island. We also ask that you discuss the general deterioration of human rights in the country, even in areas not directly affected by the conflict.
More than a quarter of a million people, mostly Tamils, face immense hardship and are running out of safe space in the face of intensified fighting between the two sides. This population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) is trapped between the approaching Sri Lankan security forces and the LTTE, which has imposed restrictions on their ability to leave and is using them as an involuntary pool of recruits and labourers. With the Sri Lankan government’s recent recapture of Killinochchi, hundreds of thousands of people have been compressed into a smaller area and are increasingly vulnerable. As the fighting encroaches on the trapped population, there are fears of a further mass exodus of civilians.
Lack of protection to civilians during fighting
Given the restrictions imposed by both sides on independent media and humanitarian aid workers, there is little independent verification of conditions in the conflict area. Available information suggests that over 300,000 people are experiencing tremendous insecurity and food shortages aggravated by the fact that many of these families have sold most of their possessions to cope with multiple displacements.
In November 2008, Amnesty International drew attention to acute food and shelter shortages facing this population (Amnesty International, Sri Lankan government must act now to protect 300,000 displaced, 19 November 2008). At the time, the organisation welcomed the food supplies that were sent by the Indian authorities. As humanitarian supplies, including those sent by the Indian government, have since dwindled, aid workers express fears that many of the displaced are vulnerable to potential public health problems and are receiving far less calories than the daily recommended allowance. Also, civilians injured in the fighting cannot be transported outside the Wanni for urgent treatment due to road closures by the security forces.
As hostilities have intensified, the LTTE have stepped up its recruitment, especially of younger people. LTTE continue to hinder people from moving to safer places by imposing a strict pass system. In some instances they have forced family members to stay behind to ensure the return of the rest of the family.
Despite assurances by the government of Sri Lanka that the situation is under control, there is evidence to suggest that the authorities lack the capacity to provide the required humanitarian relief to displaced people. Humanitarian access to the Wanni continues to be restricted. Only government-approved food convoys are allowed to enter the area since the authorities ordered the United Nations, and nearly all humanitarian agencies, to withdraw from the Wanni on 9 September 2008.
On 29 and 30 December 2008, an Inter-Agency support mission accompanied the World Food Program-led convoy in order to monitor implementation of United Nations (UN) funded programmes and conduct a needs assessment. The mission noted increased vulnerability of the civilian population due to several factors including: ongoing fighting, new and repeated displacements into an increasingly compressed area, flood damage and reduced capacity and material to address urgent shelter and sanitation needs.
Attacks on media
Away from the front lines, the general human rights situation in government-controlled areas has deteriorated (Amnesty International has previously criticized the LTTE for severely curtailing civil and political rights in areas under their control). Amnesty International is appalled at the increasing instances of attacks on the media, including the recent assassination of the editor of the Sunday Leader, Lasantha Wickramatunge in Colombo and attack on the privately owned Maharaja television/MTV studios in Colombo which was ransacked by a gang who used claymore bombs to damage property.
During your upcoming discussions with the Government of Sri Lanka, you should pay special attention to the severe difficulties facing the people of Sri Lanka. Amnesty International urges you:
To raise issue of the civilian protection and press for urgently needed humanitarian assistance to reach civilians who are trapped between the two sides. Pressure must also be put on the LTTE to allow free passage of displaced families from the Wanni with immediate effect.
To press for international monitors to assess the humanitarian needs of quarter of a million people trapped in the Wanni and to ensure proper distribution of food and other humanitarian assistance, particularly as the fighting pproaches the trapped civilian population.
To raise the issue of attacks on the media and press for impartial investigation into the same.
Thank you for your consideration for the above recommendations, and we look forward to your response at the earliest.
Sincerely,
Sam Zarifi
Program Director
Asia-Pacific Program
END/
Public Document
****************************************
For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5566 or email: press@amnesty.org
International Secretariat, Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW, UK www.amnesty.org
India urged to raise human rights issues in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
© Amnesty International
15 January 2009
As the Indian Foreign Secretary visits Sri Lanka this week, he has been urged to raise concerns over the safety of displaced civilians trapped in the Wanni, in discussions with the Government of Sri Lanka.
In an open letter to Shivshankar Menon, Amnesty International has asked him to pay special attention to the severe difficulties facing the people caught in the middle of the fighting. The letter points to government forces closing in on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) bases in the north-eastern part of the island.
The letter also calls on him to discuss the general deterioration of human rights in the country, even in areas not directly affected by the conflict.
More than a quarter of a million people, mostly Tamils, face immense hardship and are running out of safe space in the face of intensified fighting between the two sides.
These displaced persons are trapped between the approaching Sri Lankan security forces and the LTTE, which has imposed restrictions on their ability to leave and is using them as an involuntary pool of recruits and labourers.
With the Sri Lankan government’s recent recapture of Killinochchi, hundreds of thousands of people have been compressed into a smaller area and are increasingly vulnerable. As the fighting encroaches on the trapped population, there are fears of a further mass exodus of civilians.
Amnesty International highlighted the situation in November 2008, drawing attention to the acute food and shelter shortages facing the displaced.
At the time, the organization welcomed the food supplies that were sent by the Indian authorities. Humanitarian supplies, including those sent by the Indian government, have since dwindled.
The letter says aid workers fear that many of the displaced are "vulnerable to potential public health problems and are receiving far less calories than the daily recommended allowance.
"Also, civilians injured in the fighting cannot be transported outside the Wanni for urgent treatment due to road closures by the security forces."
Despite assurances by the Government of Sri Lanka that the situation is under control, there is evidence to suggest that the authorities lack the capacity to provide the required humanitarian relief to displaced people.
"Humanitarian access to the Wanni continues to be restricted," says the letter, "Only government-approved food convoys are allowed to enter the area since the authorities ordered the United Nations, and nearly all humanitarian agencies, to withdraw from the Wanni on 9 September 2008."
On 29 and 30 December 2008, an Inter-Agency support mission accompanied the World Food Program-led convoy in order to monitor implementation of United Nations (UN) funded programmes and conduct a needs assessment.
"The mission noted increased vulnerability of the civilian population due to several factors including: ongoing fighting, new and repeated displacements into an increasingly compressed area, flood damage and reduced capacity and material to address urgent shelter and sanitation needs," according to the letter.
Another issue that Amnesty International has asked Mr Menon to address is the increasing number of attacks on the media. The editor of the Sunday Leader, Lasantha Wickramatunge was assassinated in Colombo recently. There was also an attack on the privately owned Maharaja television/MTV studios in Colombo which was ransacked by a gang who used claymore bombs to damage property.
The main recommendations Amnesty International's letter made to Mr Menon were to:
raise the issue of civilian protection and press for urgently needed humanitarian assistance to reach civilians who are trapped between the two sides. Pressure must also be put on the LTTE to allow free passage of displaced families from the Wanni with immediate effect.
press for international monitors to assess the humanitarian needs of quarter of a million people trapped in the Wanni and to ensure proper distribution of food and other humanitarian assistance, particularly as the fighting approaches the trapped civilian population.
raise the issue of attacks on the media and press for impartial investigation into the same.
discuss the general deterioration of human rights in the country, even in areas not directly affected by the conflict.
Labels: amnesty international, eelam, india, Tamils
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Tamils for Obama Urging Obama and Clinton to Send Strong Signal to Sri Lanka to Stop Genocidal Civil War at Once
நண்பர் ஒருவர் அனுப்பிய இணைப்பிலிருந்து பெற்ற செய்தி. உங்களுக்கும் பயனாக இருக்கட்டுமென்று அனுப்புகிறேன்
http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20090108/bs_prweb/prweb1832254_2
Tamils for Obama Urging Obama and Clinton to Send Strong Signal to Sri Lanka to Stop Genocidal Civil War at Once; Atrocities will be Punished
Thu Jan 8, 2:01 am ET
Sri Lanka wants to suppress and destroy the Tamils before Obama takes office, Tamils believe; Tamils want Obama to send a strong signal that whatever Sri Lanka does will be reversed and punishable by the new administration.
(PRWEB) January 8, 2009 -- A new Sri Lankan offensive that appears to be on the verge of crushing the Tamil resistance frightens Tamils and makes them think that Sri Lanka wants to win the war before January 20, 2008, when Obama takes office.
The Bush administration was supportive of the Sri Lankan government, considering the Tamil resistance a terrorist movement. Obama, who said he considers genocide to be the only reason he might have the U.S. intervene in any foreign conflict, is expected by many to reverse this policy.
The Sri Lankan war against their Tamil population is considered genocide by most Tamils world wide. Atrocities are plentiful. For one example, the Sri Lankan government has dropped over 14 million kilograms of explosive (more than the power of the Hiroshima bomb) on Tamil areas, including Russian made OFAB-500 cluster bombs used against displaced persons camps. Videos documenting Sri Lankan atrocities against the Tamil population have been widely viewed on the internet. These videos are horrifying, so we cannot distribute them by our normal channels.
The genocide has a decades-long history, but what some Tamils called The Slow Genocide of the Tamils (http://www.tamilsforobama.com/Slow_Genocide.html) in Sri Lanka has picked up speed. Sri Lankan victories (in Killinochi, for instance) lead these Tamils to believe that the Sri Lankan government means to (and will be able to) crush the resistance and complete the genocide in a short time.
Tamils for Obama hopes that Obama and Clinton will realize the urgency of the situation in Sri Lanka and will act to warn Sri Lanka that further atrocities will have serious consequences for them when the new American administration takes office.
Tamils are an ethnic group living mainly in the northeast of Sri Lanka and southern India. They are a minority population in Sri Lanka, and are currently engaged in a civil war regarded as genocide. Tamils for Obama is comprised of Tamils who have settled in the U.S., or who were born in the U.S.
To contact the group, call (617) 765- 4394 and speak to or leave a message for the Communication Director, Tamils for Obama.
Tamils for Obama
www.TamilsForObama.com
# # #
Tamils for Obama
Commuication Director
(617) 765- 4394
http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20090108/bs_prweb/prweb1832254_2
Tamils for Obama Urging Obama and Clinton to Send Strong Signal to Sri Lanka to Stop Genocidal Civil War at Once; Atrocities will be Punished
Thu Jan 8, 2:01 am ET
Sri Lanka wants to suppress and destroy the Tamils before Obama takes office, Tamils believe; Tamils want Obama to send a strong signal that whatever Sri Lanka does will be reversed and punishable by the new administration.
(PRWEB) January 8, 2009 -- A new Sri Lankan offensive that appears to be on the verge of crushing the Tamil resistance frightens Tamils and makes them think that Sri Lanka wants to win the war before January 20, 2008, when Obama takes office.
The Bush administration was supportive of the Sri Lankan government, considering the Tamil resistance a terrorist movement. Obama, who said he considers genocide to be the only reason he might have the U.S. intervene in any foreign conflict, is expected by many to reverse this policy.
The Sri Lankan war against their Tamil population is considered genocide by most Tamils world wide. Atrocities are plentiful. For one example, the Sri Lankan government has dropped over 14 million kilograms of explosive (more than the power of the Hiroshima bomb) on Tamil areas, including Russian made OFAB-500 cluster bombs used against displaced persons camps. Videos documenting Sri Lankan atrocities against the Tamil population have been widely viewed on the internet. These videos are horrifying, so we cannot distribute them by our normal channels.
The genocide has a decades-long history, but what some Tamils called The Slow Genocide of the Tamils (http://www.tamilsforobama.com/Slow_Genocide.html) in Sri Lanka has picked up speed. Sri Lankan victories (in Killinochi, for instance) lead these Tamils to believe that the Sri Lankan government means to (and will be able to) crush the resistance and complete the genocide in a short time.
Tamils for Obama hopes that Obama and Clinton will realize the urgency of the situation in Sri Lanka and will act to warn Sri Lanka that further atrocities will have serious consequences for them when the new American administration takes office.
Tamils are an ethnic group living mainly in the northeast of Sri Lanka and southern India. They are a minority population in Sri Lanka, and are currently engaged in a civil war regarded as genocide. Tamils for Obama is comprised of Tamils who have settled in the U.S., or who were born in the U.S.
To contact the group, call (617) 765- 4394 and speak to or leave a message for the Communication Director, Tamils for Obama.
Tamils for Obama
www.TamilsForObama.com
# # #
Tamils for Obama
Commuication Director
(617) 765- 4394
