Tamil Diaspora on GL’S alleged statement to Clinton that
Sunday 01 July 2012
By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan
The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) views all Tamil parties in Sri Lanka as partners working for the same cause and having the same objectives, and in many ways working together as any family that is doing its best under the circumstances. GTF spokesperson, Suren Surendiran, in an exclusive interview with LAKBIMAnEWS said that the Tamil Diaspora should be approached for talks by Sri Lanka, because it is they who have felt insecure, been victimized, and felt or experienced the danger for their as well as their family’s lives.
Sunday 01 July 2012
By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan
The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) views all Tamil parties in Sri Lanka as partners working for the same cause and having the same objectives, and in many ways working together as any family that is doing its best under the circumstances. GTF spokesperson, Suren Surendiran, in an exclusive interview with LAKBIMAnEWS said that the Tamil Diaspora should be approached for talks by Sri Lanka, because it is they who have felt insecure, been victimized, and felt or experienced the danger for their as well as their family’s lives.
What do you intend to do arising from the LLRC report?
The LLRC report is a document that was commissioned by President Rajapaksa and his government. Therefore it is for them to do whatever they see fit with its recommendations and it is not for the GTF to do anything with it.
GTF, as an organization, has gone on record welcoming the LLRC recommendations and suggesting that if implemented in full, it will take the reconciliation process a long way forward. GTF has also highlighted the substantial inadequacies of the LLRC report in addressing the issue of accountability, the allegations of breaches of international laws, international human rights and humanitarian laws.
GTF has also highlighted the fact that the LLRC never had the means or authority in the first place to investigate the alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by both sides at the end of the war.
The GTF as a representative organization of the Tamil Diaspora, amongst whom there are many thousands of victims – as relatives and friends, has always maintained that sustainable reconciliation in Sri Lanka amongst communities is possible only if justice is served for the tens of thousands of lives that were lost, and the over 146,000 people who have been unaccounted for during the last stages of the war.
As far as GTF and the Tamils as a whole are concerned, fair and equitable justice can only be served by commissioning an independent international investigation into the alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by both sides. Therefore, we will continue to pursue calling for such an investigation to be held as soon as possible.
Did you know about Prof. G.L. Peiris’ visit and the presenting of a document to the US Secretary to the State Hillary Clinton? One of the LLRC recommendation is, ‘The government should engage with the so called hostile Diaspora groups constructively and address their concerns.’ What points do you raise about the recommendation itself?
Yes, we did hear about Prof. G.L. Peiris’ visit to Washington in May and as a matter of fact, in early June as well. GTF was also invited by the State Department to be de-briefed on the discussions held between GLP and Secretary Clinton. I represented GTF along with our local US member organization, United States Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC) president at this debriefing session at the State Department.
Regarding the recommendation for the government to engage with the Tamil Diaspora, I think you should pose that question to President Rajapaksa and his cabinet/government as we believe the recommendation is directed at them.
However, GTF also firmly believes that in any conflict, if both conflicting parties are serious and have the will to resolve the conflict genuinely and with sincerity, the best way to resolve any conflict would be by directly engaging the conflicting parties, perhaps with the assistance of independent mediation.
Do you welcome such an approach to involve the
Diaspora to address your concerns too?
Of course! A large portion of the Tamil Diapora left the island because they felt insecure, victimized, had family members murdered, kidnapped, and felt or experienced the danger for their and their family’s lives. It is not out of choice that they left. It is therefore only right that the Diaspora also is given a say.
What do you want for the Tamil community of Sri Lanka? Full Story>>>
The LLRC report is a document that was commissioned by President Rajapaksa and his government. Therefore it is for them to do whatever they see fit with its recommendations and it is not for the GTF to do anything with it.
GTF, as an organization, has gone on record welcoming the LLRC recommendations and suggesting that if implemented in full, it will take the reconciliation process a long way forward. GTF has also highlighted the substantial inadequacies of the LLRC report in addressing the issue of accountability, the allegations of breaches of international laws, international human rights and humanitarian laws.
GTF has also highlighted the fact that the LLRC never had the means or authority in the first place to investigate the alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by both sides at the end of the war.
The GTF as a representative organization of the Tamil Diaspora, amongst whom there are many thousands of victims – as relatives and friends, has always maintained that sustainable reconciliation in Sri Lanka amongst communities is possible only if justice is served for the tens of thousands of lives that were lost, and the over 146,000 people who have been unaccounted for during the last stages of the war.
As far as GTF and the Tamils as a whole are concerned, fair and equitable justice can only be served by commissioning an independent international investigation into the alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by both sides. Therefore, we will continue to pursue calling for such an investigation to be held as soon as possible.
Did you know about Prof. G.L. Peiris’ visit and the presenting of a document to the US Secretary to the State Hillary Clinton? One of the LLRC recommendation is, ‘The government should engage with the so called hostile Diaspora groups constructively and address their concerns.’ What points do you raise about the recommendation itself?
Yes, we did hear about Prof. G.L. Peiris’ visit to Washington in May and as a matter of fact, in early June as well. GTF was also invited by the State Department to be de-briefed on the discussions held between GLP and Secretary Clinton. I represented GTF along with our local US member organization, United States Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC) president at this debriefing session at the State Department.
Regarding the recommendation for the government to engage with the Tamil Diaspora, I think you should pose that question to President Rajapaksa and his cabinet/government as we believe the recommendation is directed at them.
However, GTF also firmly believes that in any conflict, if both conflicting parties are serious and have the will to resolve the conflict genuinely and with sincerity, the best way to resolve any conflict would be by directly engaging the conflicting parties, perhaps with the assistance of independent mediation.
Do you welcome such an approach to involve the
Diaspora to address your concerns too?
Of course! A large portion of the Tamil Diapora left the island because they felt insecure, victimized, had family members murdered, kidnapped, and felt or experienced the danger for their and their family’s lives. It is not out of choice that they left. It is therefore only right that the Diaspora also is given a say.
What do you want for the Tamil community of Sri Lanka? Full Story>>>
