FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 8, 2010, Washington, DC
USTPAC highlights the plight of Tamil Women in North-East Sri Lanka on International
Women’s Day
USTPAC joins the world community in celebrating the
International Women’s Day on March 8th, but on a sad note, wishes to highlight the continued
suffering of Tamil women in North-East Sri Lanka.
"It is no secret that in military conflicts, women suffer unspeakable violence and abuse. The
young adult girls and women become easy targets and thus are the most victimized members
of the society during the armed conflicts. The Tamil women in North-East Sri Lanka have
been at the receiving end of the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) sponsored state violence
for decades," said Dr. Ellyn Shander, speaking for USTPAC.
As detailed in a January 2002 report by World Organization Against Torture, Violence against
Women in Sri Lanka, "Tamil women are frequently discriminated against by police and
members of the armed forces and that this discrimination most often takes the form of rape
and other forms of sexual violence”. This violence still continues with impunity; Secretary
Clinton highlighted Sri Lanka at the UN last year as a place where “rape has been used as a
tactic of war."
The mono-ethnic Sinhala GOSL military forces have been accused of committing war crimes.
Last year, as 300,000 Tamils were held in concentration camps, the young adult Tamil women
suffered targeted abuse and violence at the hands of the military personnel assigned to guard
the camps. According to Dr. Ellyn Shander, Vice President of USTPAC and a doctor who
worked closely with Tamil women while she was in Sri Lanka, the whereabouts of many of the
young adult girls who were taken away from the camps by the Sinhala government troops are
still not known.
"Many Tamil women are burdened with caring for their families with no access to proper
shelter and aid” added Dr. Shander. "On this International Women’s Day, USTPAC stands in
solidarity with women around the world in highlighting the need to protect women against
violence. USTPAC urges the world community to force the Government of Sri Lanka to STOP
the brutal treatment of Tamil women and return them and their families to their homes in their
homeland in the North-East of Sri Lanka", appealed Dr Shander.
"As a measure to put pressure on the Government of Sri Lanka”, said Dr. Shander, “we appeal
to the public to boycott all goods made in Sri Lanka, especially apparels, until human rights of
Tamil women are restored and respected."
For more information on the boycott campaign, check www.boycottsrilanka.com.
Contact: Dr Ellyn Shander (VP of USTPAC)
email: eshander@aol.com
www.ustpac.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 27th, 2010
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
The United States Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC) joins the world humanitarian community in remembering and paying tribute to the victims of the Holocaust at the hands of Nazi Germany, honoring survivors and supporting the recognition of this day internationally.
The 2010 observance of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust will focus on a central theme that emphasizes the legacy that survivors pass on to succeeding generations. In solidarity with this theme the UN stated:
"As there are fewer survivors to tell their stories today, it is of primary importance that these universal lessons be shared with all fellow human beings. Only this will ensure that their legacy will continue to promote respect for diversity and human rights for generations to come."
"Today, International Holocaust Remembrance Day is of special significance to Tamils," according to a USTPAC spokesman. The 2009 onslaught by the mono-ethnic Sinhala Sri Lankan armed forces claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Tamil civilians under the guise of a "humanitarian operation," ending the armed conflict in May, 2009. Tamils of all ages, women, men, elders, children and families were mercilessly massacred in cold blood by the Sri Lankan armed forces. The government of Sri Lanka succeeded in banning all media and intimidating aid workers in non-governmental organizations. As Nazi Propaganda Minister Dr. Goebbels once remarked, 'He who runs the information, runs the show.' The Government of Sri Lanka and President Mahinda Rajapaksa use these methods to maintain a police state, deceiving their own citizens and the international community on the treatment of Tamils.
The plight of Tamils continues, with internment, separation of children from their parents and the holding of people in detention under secret conditions. The government’s reckless release of interned Tamils without aid or allowing them to return to their original homes has forced them to seek shelter along the roadside and in jungle terrain.
Secretary General Ban-Ki-moon and several UN agencies continue to ignore the Tamil genocide. The General Assembly and Human Rights Council refuse to consider actions to protect the Tamil people and to prosecute war criminals.
Prof. Elie Wiesel, Holocaust Survivor and Human Rights Activist, in a June 2009 statement on the situation of Tamils today, remarked:
"Wherever minorities are being persecuted we must raise our voices to protest. According to reliable sources, the Tamil people are being disenfranchised and victimized by the Sri Lanka authorities. This injustice must stop. The Tamil people must be allowed to live in peace and flourish in their homeland."
This year’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day is a time to remember Prof. Elie Wiesel’s words about the Tamils’ plight.
For more information, contact USTPAC at 202-595-3123, www.USTPAC.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 13, 2009
Rally to Unlock the Camps in Sri Lanka
WASHINGTON, DC: Tamil Americans from around the country will be joined by Tamil Canadians at a rally in Washington, DC on Friday, November 20 to bring attention to the end of the 180 day period promised by Sri Lankan President Rajapakse to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on May 23, 2009 for the release of 300,000 Tamils detained in internment camps in Sri Lanka since the final stages of the war. Two thirds of these Tamils continue to be detained in poor conditions without accountability, family reunification or a timetable for release.
According to a USTPAC spokesman, "These people are being subjected to collective punishment for their demands for political, social and cultural rights in their own traditional homeland. We support all efforts to allow these innocents to return freely and with dignity to their homes in a secure environment.
The rally also indicates the culmination of an epic 6 month long walk by three young men from Toronto, Canada to Washington, DC through Chicago, IL to ‘Break the Silence’ about abuses against Tamils in Sri Lanka during and after the war. These young men walked through the heartland of America making crimes committed on the other side of the world personal for thousands of American citizens and officials. The rally will honor them for their selflessness and perseverance.
During the past month, as international pressure has mounted for the release of the hundreds of thousands of Tamils detained by the mono-ethnic Sinhalese military, the government of Sri Lanka has started making statements that the numbers of detainees have been cut by half. According to UNHCR and other sources, many of these people are simply being moved to more dispersed detention centers. Many of those actually released are left on the streets without resources or the right to return to their homes. Those lucky enough to have friends or relatives to stay with, or who are able to go home continue to have little freedom of movement due to military restrictions throughout the Tamil areas.
Of grave concern to all Tamils are purported plans to change the demographics of the Tamil areas through the settlement of large numbers of Sinhalese military, administrators, businessmen and convicts along with their families under the guise of reconstruction and control of a restive population. The government has moved large numbers of Sinhalese into Tamil areas since independence in state-sponsored irrigation schemes, accompanied by dilution of the Tamil vote and voice in national affairs.
For further information call 202 595 3123. Visit us at www.USTPAC.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 23, 2009
USTPAC Calls for Action based on Department of State's Report on Sri Lanka
The United States Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC) welcomes the US Department of State's “Report to Congress on Incidents During the Recent Conflict in Sri Lanka”, and calls the US Congress and our Government to act on the findings by creating an international investigation mechanism, and instituting trade sanctions against Sri Lanka until full compliance is acceded by the regime in Sri Lanka.
Washington, DC: The US Department of State on Wednesday submitted a report mandated by the Congress "detailing incidents during the recent conflict in Sri Lanka that may constitute violations of international humanitarian law or crimes against humanity, and, to the extent practicable, identifying the parties responsible." A USTPAC spokesperson commended the State Department for its compilation of events and incidents that took place in the Vanni region in the Northeastern part of Sri Lanka early this year. "This report develops a picture of intentional and deliberate violence directed at a people whose only fault is that they are Tamils. The impartiality of the report, which exposes wrong-doings by all actors in the conflict, adds further credibility to the report," said the spokesperson.
The Department of State and the US Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka compiled the report based on the limited information that was available at the time due to tight restrictions on freedom of movement and access. The report stated, “there are allegations that GSL (Government of Sri Lanka) restrictions on access were part of a systematic attempt to hide violations of IHL (International Humanitarian Law) and human rights abuses. Some governments and organizations that were contacted during the preparation of this report indicated that they have additional information that may pertain to relevant incidents but were unwilling to provide it at this time for a variety of reasons, including fears for the safety of their sources.” USTPAC fears that it is very likely that there are many more atrocities against the Tamil people that have not yet been brought to light and urges the authorities to obtain the complete story.
Key Findings
It is important to highlight the key findings in the report, which clearly show:
There have been tensions between the Tamils and the Sinhalese, the two major communities in Sri Lanka, since Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948. The Sinhalese-dominated Government of Sri Lanka and their mono-ethnic Sinhala military forces have been battling Tamil separatist militants since 1976 and have directed a large number of their attacks against the Tamil population as a whole in the Northeastern province.
The vast majority of the alleged crimes were committed by the Government of Sri Lanka and its agents. This is in total violation of the role and responsibility of a state-actor in an internal conflict, including application of the Principles of Distinction and Proportionality. These crimes constitute violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and various treaties, protocols, and conventions to which the Government of Sri Lanka is a party.
The deliberate and intentional nature of attacks against known civilian targets and the utter disregard for Tamils’ well-being by the Sri Lankan armed forces. The events and incidents reported clearly make a strong case for IHL violations and crimes against humanity directed at the Tamil population as a whole. Even worse, the GSL (Govt. of Sri Lanka) directed the Tamil population to seek refuge in GSL-designated "no fire zones,” but is alleged to have fired into these “no fire zones.” The GSL declared a 48-hour ceasefire to allow civilians to leave the "no fire zone,” but arbitrarily cut short the ceasefire period and began firing.
Government of Sri Lanka forces killed captives and combatants seeking to surrender. Even more shocking, the military forces killed combatants after the combatants reached a surrender agreement with the government.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the Tamil militant separatist group engaged in child recruitment and forcibly prevented the escape of IDPs, further exacerbating the plight of the Tamil people. Even though the LTTE was not recognized as a state actor, the LTTE as a party to the US, EU, Japan and Norway-brokered 2002 ceasefire agreement with the GSL was required to comply with IHL requirements.
The systematic denial of essential goods and services to Tamil regions, including food and medicine, by the GSL and its armed forces aimed at the weakening and destruction of the Tamil civilian population. The description of the inhumane conditions that Tamils of the region are undergoing is one of deliberately induced starvation, malnutrition, lack of medical care, disease, and deaths. Again, these are IHL violations and crimes against humanity directed at the Tamil population.
Large-scale, arbitrary and extra-judicial arrests, torture, killings, and disappearances of Tamils. The Government of Sri Lanka and its armed forces have acted with shocking impunity in deliberately and intentionally eliminating large numbers of Tamil civilians. These are very serious violations of IHL and systematic crimes against humanity directed against the Tamil people.
Other Recent Similar Reports
It is worth noting that this report from the Department of State is fourth in a series of recent reports all depicting serious violations of human rights and crimes against humanity committed by the Government of Sri Lanka against the Tamil people.
Not the first time
While the events described in the Department of State report are terrible in their own right, it must not be forgotten that IHL violations and crimes against humanity have been directed against Tamils in Sri Lanka for decades by the GSL’s armed forces and paramilitaries. There has been essentially no effort expended to-date by the Government of Sri Lanka to bring perpetrators of crimes against Tamils to justice. Instead, these criminal methods have become tools in an effort to subjugate and marginalize Tamils, Tamil identity, and Tamil culture in Sri Lanka, along with ethnic cleansing, colonization of the Tamil homeland and forced assimilation.
Accountability
"There are two ways such crimes can be prevented in the future. One is accountability for past crimes, and the second is solving the underlying root causes of the conflict. Having documented these serious violations, our Government cannot conduct business as usual with Sri Lanka," said the USTPAC spokesperson.
USTPAC endorses the calls made by Human Rights Watch urging our Government and Congress to act on the report's findings. Specifically, USTPAC calls for:
The crimes against humanity aimed at Tamils in Sri Lanka must be investigated by a UN agency or an international independent commission, followed by an international effort undertaken to bring all perpetrators and instigators of such crimes to justice.
The US should impose restrictions on all financial aid and other assistance to Sri Lanka until such commission’s work is complete and any subsequent judicial proceedings have reached logical conclusion. The US should also revoke any special trade status granted to Sri Lanka and refrain from promoting investments in Sri Lanka.
Solving the Underlying Root Causes of the Conflict
The second and equally important initiative to prevent future crimes against Tamils in Sri Lanka is to solve the underlying root causes of the conflict.
The report identified some of the root causes where it says, "[f]ollowing the colonial period, which was characterized by perceived British favoritism toward Tamils, the Sinhalese majority government enacted a series of nationalistic laws, one of which made Sinhala the official language in 1956. That same year more than 100 Tamils were killed in widespread violence after Tamil parliamentarians protested the new laws. A law enacted in 1972 made Buddhism the nation's primary religion. Most Tamils are Hindu."
The USTPAC urges the US Government and Congress to take bold steps and lead a UN effort to study the conflict’s origins, define a framework for a solution, and help monitor its implementation and enforcement. "Our government must change its policy toward Sri Lanka, from support for what we have considered a friendly, democratic state, to action that will persuade the Government of Sri Lanka to end crimes against the Tamils, bring justice for those wronged and completely restructure the state to allow for a Tamil voice, preservation of the Tamil identity and full participation for Tamils in the life of the society," said the spokesperson for USTPAC.
In the past our government has taken bold steps to resolve similar ethnic conflicts in Northern Ireland and Kosovo and recently began playing a leadership role in Kashmir, Somalia and Darfur. It is USTPAC’s hope that our government will review the findings of this report with Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during his visit to Washington DC this November and take a lead role to help steer a solution to address the Tamils legitimate grievances, as well as bring peace and prosperity to both the Tamils and Sinhalese communities.
For further information call 202 595 3123 Visit us at www.USTPAC.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
USTPAC Supports Secretary Clinton’s Efforts to End Rape as a Weapon of War
USTPAC, a grass root advocacy organization, welcomes Secretary Clinton’s speech at the UN Security Council, describing Resolution 1888 as necessary to control the abuse of Tamil women and young girls in Sri Lanka by the country’s armed forces.
New York, October 6, 2009 -- Joe Ratnam, a spokesman for the US Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC), said, "USTPAC endorses and supports Secretary Clinton’s speech at the UN Security Council on September 30 on the new Resolution 1888". The resolution requests Secretary General to "appoint a Special Representative to lead, coordinate and advocate for efforts to end sexual violence." The Security Council unanimously adopted the resolution, which also calls on the Secretary-General to rapidly deploy a team of experts to work with governments to strengthen the rule of law, address impunity and enhance accountability. During her speech Secretary Clinton stated, "Rape has been used as weapon of war in the Balkans, Burma and Sri Lanka and elsewhere."
USTPAC is urging the Secretary General to kick start Resolution 1888 by appointing a Special Representative to review allegations of rape and torture of young Tamil women and girls by the Sri Lankan government military forces and their paramilitaries in the predominantly Tamil-speaking Northern and Eastern Provinces in Sri Lanka. The mono-ethnic Sri Lankan military forces, that are more than 99% Sinhalese, have frequently been accused of using rape and torture as weapons of war in the 30+ year old ethnic civil war.
USTPAC’s spokesperson, Mr. Joe Ratnam, stated that the UN is fully aware of the Sri Lankan military force’s lack of respect for women and basic human dignity; on November 4, 2007, the UN sent home 108 Sri Lankan soldiers of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Haiti for sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of minors, including prostitution, and the charges included rape (which is a "war crime" in a military conflict).
Mr. Ratnam further stated that on April 18, 2009, German writer and human rights activist Mr. Thomas Seibert ¹ described the plight of Tamil civilians after conducting personal interviews. He said, "Many are tortured or simply shot. There are also reports of regular rapes."
In May 1997, Sri Lanka’s militarized police known as Special Task Force was accused of raping a young Tamil mother named Koneswary under horrific circumstances. The Amnesty International issued an urgent action appeal on May 21, 1997 stated the following: "Murugesupillai Koneswary, a mother of four children, was killed at her home in 11th Colony village by a grenade being thrown at her genitals on the evening of 17 May. Circumstantial evidence suggests that she may have been raped prior to being killed and that the perpetrators may have been one or more police officers attached to the nearby Central Camp police station, on the border between Batticaloa and Amparai districts."
In 2001, Amnesty International said it "has noted a marked rise in allegations of rape by police, army and navy personnel. Among the victims of rape by the security forces are many internally displaced women, women who admit being or have been members of the rebel militants and female relatives of members or suspected male members. Reports of rape in custody concern children as young as 14." Amnesty wrote to then President Chandrika Kumaratunga ‘urging her to take action to stop rape by security forces and bring perpetrators to justice" in response to reports of rape by security forces in, “Mannar, Batticaloa, Negombo and Jaffna."
In March 2000, the then UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Radhika Coomaraswamy, expressed her "grave concern" over the lack of serious investigations into allegations of gang rape and murder of women and girls by the Sri Lankan security forces. In the same year, the Asian Human Rights Commission protested that "Sri Lankan security forces are using systematic rape and murder of Tamil women to subjugate the Tamil population…impunity continues to reign as rape is used as a weapon of war in Sri Lanka."
USTPAC welcomes Secretary Clinton’s speech as timely and Resolution 1888 as necessary to control the abuse of Tamil women and young girls in Sri Lanka. USTPAC urges the UN Secretary General to appoint a Special Representative to Sri Lanka to strengthen the rule of law, address impunity and enhance accountability in Tamil-speaking areas in Sri Lanka.
For more information, please contact Joe Ratnam at 202.595.3123, info@ustpac.org
To see a comprehensive list of sexual violence against Tamil women by Government of Sri Lanka’s armed forces visit:
http://www.tamilnation.org/indictment/rape/index.htm
¹Quoted by Medic International
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 20, 2009
Rally in New York in front of the UN to Unlock the concentration camps in Sri Lanka On September 22, 11am to 3pm
Human rights advocates will rally in front of the UN to bring attention to the 282,000 Tamils held in concentration camps in Sri Lanka. USTPAC, endorses and supports this rally by the grass root citizenry concerned about human rights. Sri Lanka is attempting to destroy the Tamil community on the island and this crime is NOT being effectively stopped by the UN.
In May, 2009, the Sri Lankan armed forces killed over 20,000 Tamil civilians with indiscriminate attacks and starvation on an offensive the press called “blood bath on the beach”. Over 125,000 Tamils have been killed in total by shelling, disappearances, extrajudicial executions, and anti-Tamil pogroms in an effort to destroy the Tamil community. Currently 282,000 Tamil civilians are being held indefinitely in military-controlled internment camps in unsanitary conditions without adequate food and water. Malnutrition-related complications have resulted in increased deaths, while doctors in the camps have warned of "impending disaster if conditions do not improve." Humanitarian workers recently criticized "persistent water shortages," and precarious inhumane health conditions as "heavy rain sent rivers of sewage cascading through tents and tin sheds." Manik Farm, the largest IDP camp in the world, continues to claim an estimated 1400 lives a week, a number that is similar to the total number of people killed in Darfur and the Congo, combined for the whole of this year.
While Western nations call for an investigation of war crimes, the Sri Lankan government continues to deny independent investigators and journalists’ access to war-torn areas. Sri Lankan government continues to expel aid workers who dare to speak up. The UN is unable to free its own staff members from the camp.
When UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon was taken to the camps on a conducted tour last May where he said, “I was so sad, and so humbled by what I have seen. I have traveled all around the world and visited similar places, but this by far the most appalling scenes I have seen.” Yet, the UN, under the leadership of Ban Ki Moon, has done preciously little to unlock the internment camps and hold the Sri Lankan government accountable for war crimes.
The situation has gotten even more appalling now with no effective response from the UN.
Protesters are calling for the UN to reclaim its responsibility to protect (R2P) and intervene immediately to save the innocent Tamil civilians locked up in the internment camps, and return them to their homeland.
For more information, please contact Joe Ratnam at 202.595.3123, info@ustpac.org
Rally Held in Front of the UN: 'Unlock the Concentration Camps in Sri Lanka'
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Washington, DC, September 8, 2009
Protests Against Clothing 'Made in Sri Lanka' on September 12
On September 12, 2009 concerned consumers across the nation plan to stage protests in front of GAP and Victoria’s Secret stores to warn customers to check the label and say no to products made in Sri Lanka. USTPAC welcomes this campaign by consumers who are advocates for human rights. Sri Lanka is attempting to destroy the Tamil community on the island and this effort is being paid for by American customers who buy clothing 'Made in Sri Lanka.' We are asking Americans to say 'No to Garments for Genocide.'
In 2009, the Sri Lankan armed forces killed over 20,000 Tamil civilians with indiscriminate attacks and starvation. While Western nations call for an investigation of war crimes, the Sri Lankan government continues to deny independent investigators and journalists access to war-torn areas. Currently 282,000 Tamil civilians are being held indefinitely in military-controlled internment camps in unsanitary conditions without adequate food and water, from which 4-5 young people are taken every day to unknown destinations. An estimated 1400 civilians die per week from preventable diseases, as humanitarian agencies are not being allowed to provide sufficient aid.
While holding innocent Tamil civilians in internment camps and claiming insufficient funds to provide necessary food and shelter, the Sri Lankan government continues to recruit troops and build up its army to occupy the traditional Tamil homeland in the North East of the Island. To sustain such a highly militarized state, the Sri Lankan government depends on the garment industry, Sri Lanka’s largest source of foreign exchange. Recognizing Sri Lanka’s human rights violations, the European Union has indicated in the past week that Sri Lanka will likely lose its trade preferences for garments.
Protestors hope that American corporations will begin to move their production of clothing to other countries that do not commit serious human rights abuses. GAP and Victoria’s Secret are two primary American corporations who purchase and sell garments made in Sri Lanka, thus helping the Sri Lankan government fund its military. Accordingly, these two corporations have been targeted as part of a larger boycott campaign against products made in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has tried to sell its garments under the slogan 'Garments Without Guilt' because of its labor conditions, but that slogan does not take into account the treatment of the Tamils on the island generally and the job discrimination against Tamils in the garment factories.
Consumers who purchase products made in Sri Lanka enable the Sri Lankan government to continue to violate the basic human rights of its Tamil citizens. In order to call attention to Sri Lanka's brutal treatment of Tamils and prevent further violations, protestors are asking consumers to check the label and not purchase products made in Sri Lanka.
For more information, please contact Joe Ratnam at 202.595.3123, info@ustpac.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Washington, DC; August 31, 2009
USTPAC Mourns Passing of Senator Edward Kennedy
The US Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC) mourns the passing of Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy. Our members from Massachusetts who were his constituents and supported him in many elections are particularly filled with sad emotion at his loss.
The loss of Sen. Kennedy is particularly grave for Tamils at this time when hope is hard to find. Tamil Americans take comfort always in his inspiring words "...the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
Sen. Kennedy for many years carried the torch of tolerance, an appreciation for diversity and an understanding of the need for the respect for democracy and human rights not just here in the US, but also in the rest of the world. Standing for these values has been particularly important during the all-or-nothing periods of the Cold War and its successor, the War on Terror, when fear and hatred of the 'other' threatened to overwhelm these core American beliefs.
According to Sen. Kennedy, "Ultimately, America's answer to the intolerant man is diversity, the very diversity which our heritage of religious freedom has inspired." These are important words both for America and many conflict-ridden parts of the world, including Sri Lanka.
We echo Amnesty International USA's statement that "the world has lost an active supporter of human rights around the globe, especially in the United States. He worked tirelessly on behalf of people whose voices were never heard, whose plights were hidden from view and whose well-being was ignored... From advancing reforms on immigrant detention, to championing healthcare as a right for all Americans, to pushing for torture victims' relief, to pressing for humanitarian aid for refugees around the world including the most recent conflict in Sri Lanka, to defending the rule of law, Senator Kennedy always knew and acted to end the misery of those who were suffering... [T]he Kennedy family legacy of helping the disempowered remains vital and vibrant."
The 300,000 Tamils interred indefinitely in 21st century concentration camps in Sri Lanka will miss Sen. Kennedy's concern, as will all Tamil Americans.
For more information, please contact Joe Ratnam at 202.595.3123, info@ustpac.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Washington, DC; August 12, 2009
Contact: USTPACinfo@gmail.com
Tamil Diaspora Organizations Meet US Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake and Other State Dept. Officials to Discuss Humanitarian and Political Situation in Sri Lanka
Tamil Americans united under US Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC), met yesterday with Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake, and a number of other high ranking officials at the US State Department who cover Sri Lanka. The USTPAC delegation comprised of 16 Tamil Americans representing twelve different Tamil Diaspora organizations. US Chargé d’Affaires in Colombo, James Moore and US AID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn were joined by video conferencing. On the agenda was the humanitarian crisis for Tamils in Sri Lanka and prospects for political change in Sri Lanka.
The USTPAC delegates thanked Assistant Secretary Blake for the meeting and expressed their confidence in the newly confirmed Ambassador Patricia Butenis. The US is focusing on humanitarian aid for the IDPs interned in Vavuniya and elsewhere. Basic food is available to all, although variety in the diet remains a problem. Sanitation and health care are improving, but are not yet up to international standards. There are now 8 zones in Manik Farm as attempts are made to ease congestion.
6,000 to 9,000 IDPs have been released, mostly the elderly and the disabled. The US is advocating that other vulnerable populations also be released, along with those who have family to stay with. US Asst Secretary of State for Migration Eric Schwartz, who visited Sri Lanka as his first overseas trip in his new position, received information that 75,000 IDPs are to be released in August: 15,000 to Vavuniya, 25,000 to Kilinochchi and 35,000 to other areas (Jaffna, Batticaloa and Trincomalee).
There are still many protection issues. Basic to protection is the registration of those interned in IDP camps. This registration is proceeding, with 125,000 being registered and in the process of receiving ID cards, 55% of the total, according to Chargé d'Affaires James Moore in the US Embassy in Colombo. Issues remain for the ICRC, which has not been a presence in the camps since early in July. Until that time they had some access to captured combatants. UNHCR is working on family reunification. UNHCR will not be taking over the camps, according to Asst Sec Blake, because Sri Lanka is a 'sovereign nation.'
The USTPAC raised the issue of the whereabouts of thousands of gravely injured Tamil civilians including children evacuated before the end of the military conflict, and reports of disappearances in the internment camps. The Dept. of State urged the Tamil Diaspora to provide them with names and date of birth of anyone who has disappeared to follow up on specific cases.
The US is emphasizing that return of IDPs does not have to wait for complete demining and has given $6.6 million to 4 demining INGOs, while urging the GoSL to come up with a comprehensive plan for demining, rather than current piecemeal efforts. The GoSL is holding bi-weekly meetings on demining, with a US representative always present. 15 villages in Mannar have been declared safe.
The US is encouraging the reintegration of former combatants and is giving $6 million for this effort, while looking for other donors for this effort. Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Justice under Milinda Moragoda is in charge of the rehabilitation effort.
On the continued imprisonment of the 5 doctors who courageously stayed behind and treated hundreds of war casualties, the US has no recent information, but believes that they remain at police headquarters in Colombo and will continue to bring up their case.
There is no conditioning of humanitarian aid by the US, but very comprehensive benchmarks toward improvement on issues to do with the IDPs, including access, registration, and resettlement have been established. Achievement of these confidential benchmarks over the next 3-6 months will determine whether development aid will be provided.
Asst Sec Blake said that the US is a strong supporter of devolution of power in Sri Lanka and a measure of autonomy for the Tamils in the areas they predominate. The Sri Lankan President's statement that a political solution would be looked into only after the presidential election in 2010 is disappointing, said Secretary Blake. Political reconciliation will signal the real end to the conflict. Devolution and reconciliation are factors in the benchmarks set up to assess progress. The State Dept. sees the Tamil diaspora as an important stakeholder for future reconciliation.
The State Dept asked USTPAC officials of their opinion about the Sri Lankan government’s expressed desire to engage Tamil diaspora in discussions. Tamil Americans expressed their apprehension on the true intentions of the GoSL in light of the abduction and illegal deportation of K. Pathmanathan, and similar threat to Diaspora leaders through Sri Lanka government organs. Asst Sec Blake said that even people in the US who may be affiliated with the LTTE, unless they break US laws by providing material assistance, will not be allowed to be prosecuted or persecuted by Sri Lankan authorities.
The assembled Tamil American organizations asked many questions concerning US policy and actions toward the crisis for the Tamils in Sri Lanka. Their concerns based on information received from friends, family and other sources, especially concerning the situation at the internment camps, resettlement, the continued militarization of the NorthEast, disappearances and torture, colonization of Tamil areas, the use of development aid for the subjugation of the NorthEast, the appropriation of the resources of the NorthEast by outsiders and hopes for political change were addressed at the meeting. The Assistant Secretary expressed his desire to continue the discussions with Tamil Americans in the near future.
State Department Press Release
Don’t Play Cricket with Killer Regime in Sri Lanka:
Tamil Americans hold Protest at New Zealand’s UN Mission in New York
Tamil Americans and friends held a vigil outside the United Nations Mission of New Zealand, located on 600, Third Avenue, in New York City on August 14, 2009 from 4-8 PM, to show their displeasure of The Black Caps cricket tour under way at the present time in Sri Lanka.
United States Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC), organizers of the vigil, said the initiative also urges New Zealand Government to take the lead in upholding human rights and bring the plight of Tamils in the internment camps to the world lime light by calling off this tour and boycotting of Sri Lanka teams and players in New Zealand and internationally
Sri Lanka has not played by the rules
A press release marking the event further said:Sri Lanka has not played by the rules when it comes to respecting international conventions on war and continues to illegally detain nearly 300,000 civilians in internment camps with no freedom of movement to leave. Furthermore, Sri Lanka has violated international law with its actions and, its behavior should not be endorsed or ignored with the presence of nations which follow international rules not only for sporting events but in all walks of life.
Human Rights Watch has called the internment of the nearly 300,000 civilians illegal and Amnesty International has reports of camp detainees facing torture, disappearances, and sexual violence and launched a campaign to "unlock" the camps on August 10th. Doctors Without Borders has said Sri Lanka Government restrictions are hampering medical relief work.
Aid and media organizations continue to face restrictions on their access to these camps. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka was ranked 165 out of 173 countries in the world for its crackdown on free press in 2008 by Reporters Without Borders.
Amidst this, New Zealand's tour of Sri Lanka will be regarded by Government of Sri Lanka as other influential nations such as New Zealand do not care about its' mistreatment of Tamils and undemocratic governance, and Colombo govt. will continue to destroy evidence of war crimes and detain war witnesses such as medical professionals, a parliamentarian and clergy and defy calls to close the internment camps.
Since Sri Lanka has continued to ignore calls from nations upholding humanitarian norms to free these detainees, USTPAC urges New Zealand to lead the calls to boycott Sri Lanka and follow similar actions taken to protest against Zimbabwe now and South Africa earlier.
Black Caps calling off the tour and boycotting the Sri Lankan cricket team and players will send the message to Sri Lanka that it is morally wrong to run modern-day internment camps, restrict aid organizations and repress the media.
Boycott Sri Lanka garments – protest at GAP store…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 19, 2009
First Commemoration of World Humanitarian Day
This year, on August 19th, the international community will pay tribute to the brave humanitarian workers who devote their time and energy to come to the rescue of innocent victims of war and natural catastrophes across the world.
August 19th has been designated by the United Nations as "World Humanitarian Day" to honor all humanitarian and associated personnel who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty and in the promotion of the humanitarian cause (**2009 Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation). USTPAC wishes to remember and honor the 105 humanitarian workers who have been killed by the Sri Lankan government since 2005
On this World Humanitarian Day, USTPAC wishes to especially honor the men and women of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) who have served the Tamil community, often at great risk to themselves, under extreme and violent conditions. We remember with sorrow all 28 who have given their lives in the service of their people since 2005.
USTPAC wishes to remember and mourn the 17 aid workers from Action Contre La Faim (ACF) found brutally murdered, allegedly lined up and shot in the back, by the Sri Lankan Government’s military forces in 2006.
USTPAC honors the brave doctors and medical workers who served their people selflessly under dangerous circumstances and are now incarcerated by the Sri Lankan government for that service.
USTPAC also thanks the International Red Cross who evacuated injured Tamil civilians during government artilliery attacks and gave lifesaving aid in the detention camps, until the Governmemt of Sri Lanka recently curtailed their services.
USTPAC wishes to remember the 300,000 innocent Tamils, who have been displaced numerous times over the last 15 years and who continue to struggle with no freedom of movement in nazi-era-like concentration camps operated by the Government of Sri Lanka’s military forces. Even worse, the remaining 3+ million Tamils in Sri Lanka live in a virtual prison in perpertual fear under the control of the Government of Sri Lanka’s military forces.
USTPAC pleads for President Obama and Secretary Clinton to urge the United Nations to demand that the Government of Sri Lanka open the concentration camps to UNHCR monitors and to help support the Tamil civilians. Many organizations, including specifically Medecin Sans Frontiers (MSF), have stated that they “have the capacity to scale up activities and provide medical and mental health care for the people inside the camps. But so far, the authorities have not accepted this proposal for assistance.
On this very first "World Humanitarian Day," it is sad that the Tamils in Sri Lanka face this genocidal onslaught. USTPAC asks for your support – please call your Congressman and Senator and request them to urge President Obama and Secretary Clinton to immediately act to free the detained Tamils on this special day.
Over the past 50+ years, Tamils in Sri Lanka, have been subjugated as second class citizens, without fundamental civil rights and equal justice, and have been subjected to state-sponsored oppression, violence, torture, kidnappings -- and now nazi-style concentration camps -- by the Singhalese-dominated Government of Sri Lanka.
(For more information, please contact Joe Ratnam: 202 595 3123 info@ustpac.org )
** "Established by the General Assembly (GA) of the United Nations in December 2008, 19 August 2009 is the first World Humanitarian Day. The designation of the Day is a way to increase public understanding of humanitarian assistance activities worldwide. The Day also aims to honour humanitarian workers who have lost their lives or been injured in the course of their work."
World Humanitarian Day
Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation
|
Humanitarian Workers killed by Sri Lanka Government forces
and allied paramilitaries
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
Total
|
|
TRO workers killed
|
1
|
7
|
1
|
0
|
19
|
28
|
|
ACF workers killed
|
17
|
|
17
|
|
Other humanitarian
workers killed
|
43
|
17
|
60
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
36
|
105
|