Australian Senator calls for end of Sri Lanka's military occupation of Tamil homeland
Australian Senator for New South Wales, Lee Rhiannon
29 November 2015
Australian Senator for New South Wales, Lee Rhiannon called on the new Sri Lankan government to show its commitment to a reconciliation process be de-militarising the Tamil North-East.
Addressing Australia’s Tamil community at an event for the commemoration of Maaverar Naal, Ms Rhiannon said,
“If the new regime is genuine about reconciliation then there must be an immediate end to the military occupation of the Tamil homeland.”
Pledging support to the Tamil struggle for self-determination, she added,
“I pay my respects to the fallen heroes and everyone that continues to survive the ongoing genocide in the Tamil homeland.”
Full speech produced below.
Acknowledge traditional owners
Dear friends, We meet again on this very sacred day for Tamils all over the world.
I thank you again for welcoming me so warmly into your community and into your struggle for freedom, self-determination, justice and a homeland.
I pay my respects to the fallen heroes and to everyone that continues to survive the ongoing genocide in the Tamil homeland.
I pay my respects to the mothers and fathers who lost their children as a result of the war and pay my respects to the family members in the crowd that have lost their loved ones and to those who have had to flee Sri Lanka.
And I apologise sincerely to everyone that has been incarcerated in Australia’s immigration prisons. I hope that one day soon you will be reunited with your families and find peace and hope in new home.
I spoke a few weeks ago in Parliament about the Tamil political prisoners that were on hunger strike. Yesterday I learned of an 18 year old student in Jaffna who tragically took his life in protest against the President’s continuing incarceration of Tamil political detainees.
I am going to read you ONE sentence in the letter he has left behind for all of us.
Not a single Tamil political prisoner can remain imprisoned any longer.
This young man who wrote these words is no longer with us. And this is very very sad. But let such a tragedy never happen again. No more Tamils must sacrifice their lives for freedom and justice.
Your community has already lost too much.
Although these prisoners have temporarily ended their hunger strike, their plight must not be forgotten. The must be given a general amnesty and the Prevention of Terrorism Act must be abolished. I will continue to speak about them in the Australian parliament.
Now more than ever we need to come together to honour the sacrifices your children, your brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers have made.
I feel like your struggle is at a critical juncture. The defeat of the Rajapakse government has seen a shift in geopolitical interests. Understanding how to respond to the new complexities that you are facing will be challenging.
If the new regime is genuine about reconciliation then there must be an immediate end to the military occupation of the Tamil homeland.
I urge you to continue to mobilize politically both domestically and internationally and to continue to be a strong, united and unwavering voice for justice. In your unity there is strength. In your youth there is freedom.
The resolve and commitment of your community can not be underestimated. You overcame the enormous stigma and difficulties you faced in 2009 to win broad based international recognition of the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the Tamil people. Your community stopped Canada’s conservative Prime attending an international conference and publically advocating for a boycott. This is an enormous achievement and it is because of your courage and your hard work.
You have a lot to be proud of as you navigate through the next phase of your struggle.
As we remember today the tens of thousands of Tamils who have sacrificed their life in the 26-year-long struggle for freedom and a homeland I stand with you as a friend and a sister. Always.
Australian Senator for New South Wales, Lee Rhiannon
29 November 2015Australian Senator for New South Wales, Lee Rhiannon called on the new Sri Lankan government to show its commitment to a reconciliation process be de-militarising the Tamil North-East.
Addressing Australia’s Tamil community at an event for the commemoration of Maaverar Naal, Ms Rhiannon said,
“If the new regime is genuine about reconciliation then there must be an immediate end to the military occupation of the Tamil homeland.”
Pledging support to the Tamil struggle for self-determination, she added,
“I pay my respects to the fallen heroes and everyone that continues to survive the ongoing genocide in the Tamil homeland.”
Full speech produced below.
Acknowledge traditional owners
Dear friends, We meet again on this very sacred day for Tamils all over the world.
I thank you again for welcoming me so warmly into your community and into your struggle for freedom, self-determination, justice and a homeland.
I pay my respects to the fallen heroes and to everyone that continues to survive the ongoing genocide in the Tamil homeland.
I pay my respects to the mothers and fathers who lost their children as a result of the war and pay my respects to the family members in the crowd that have lost their loved ones and to those who have had to flee Sri Lanka.
And I apologise sincerely to everyone that has been incarcerated in Australia’s immigration prisons. I hope that one day soon you will be reunited with your families and find peace and hope in new home.
I spoke a few weeks ago in Parliament about the Tamil political prisoners that were on hunger strike. Yesterday I learned of an 18 year old student in Jaffna who tragically took his life in protest against the President’s continuing incarceration of Tamil political detainees.
I am going to read you ONE sentence in the letter he has left behind for all of us.
Not a single Tamil political prisoner can remain imprisoned any longer.
This young man who wrote these words is no longer with us. And this is very very sad. But let such a tragedy never happen again. No more Tamils must sacrifice their lives for freedom and justice.
Your community has already lost too much.
Although these prisoners have temporarily ended their hunger strike, their plight must not be forgotten. The must be given a general amnesty and the Prevention of Terrorism Act must be abolished. I will continue to speak about them in the Australian parliament.
Now more than ever we need to come together to honour the sacrifices your children, your brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers have made.
I feel like your struggle is at a critical juncture. The defeat of the Rajapakse government has seen a shift in geopolitical interests. Understanding how to respond to the new complexities that you are facing will be challenging.
If the new regime is genuine about reconciliation then there must be an immediate end to the military occupation of the Tamil homeland.
I urge you to continue to mobilize politically both domestically and internationally and to continue to be a strong, united and unwavering voice for justice. In your unity there is strength. In your youth there is freedom.
The resolve and commitment of your community can not be underestimated. You overcame the enormous stigma and difficulties you faced in 2009 to win broad based international recognition of the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the Tamil people. Your community stopped Canada’s conservative Prime attending an international conference and publically advocating for a boycott. This is an enormous achievement and it is because of your courage and your hard work.
You have a lot to be proud of as you navigate through the next phase of your struggle.
As we remember today the tens of thousands of Tamils who have sacrificed their life in the 26-year-long struggle for freedom and a homeland I stand with you as a friend and a sister. Always.
