Unqualified social justice, an absolute necessity
2016-09-22
Organizations belonging to a certain group which have failed to support the Tamil national liberation and a solution to the Tamil national problem based on equality, autonomy and the right of self- determination have come out praising the report of the Public Representatives Committee on Constitutional Reforms, (PRCCR) submitted in May 2016. They agree that the Report submitted in May 2016, clearly reflects the will of the people across the country, that the new Constitution guarantees social and economic equality and justice as well as inclusion with dignity.
They clearly omit the observations made by the PRCCR on the Tamil national problem, but go on to emphasize the lack of transparency of the current post-PRCCR phase of constitutional reform and marginalization of concerns pertaining to economic justice, in the ongoing discussions. This is incorrect because on 24 September there will be a meaningful discussion on this subject organized by Jayampathi, Lal and others. However, they call for urgent and definitive expression of public opinion and action on the same issues without any commitment to defend the solution for Tamil national problem.
Action for a Peoples' Constitution demands that the new Constitution: Direct the State to ensure economic justice through inclusive, equitable, regionally balanced and sustainable development, including special measures for particularly vulnerable or historically impoverished communities, such as those affected by war-related harms such as Upcountry Tamils; Ensure economic policy protects the interests and participation of women and others marginalized because of their class, caste, racial, ethnic, age, religious, linguistic, or gender/sexual identities, or mental and physical disability; Enshrine the fundamental rights to: Peoples' participation in governance, education, health, food, water, adequate housing, social security, a living and equal wage for women and men, decent and safe work, freedom from forced evictions, and a safe, clean and healthy environment; Ensure governance of the country's land, waters, forests and other natural resources is sustainable and participatory with a special emphasis of safeguarding rights and interests of local communities.
They say further, provide recourse to citizens to claim and enforce their rights through Courts, independent commissions, ombuds bodies and other means; Ensure equitable sharing and appropriate use of national wealth including and especially through transparent, participatory and gender-sensitive budget processes at all levels of government; Create an independent and empowered Finance Commission and Auditor General's Office on maximum and effective sharing of revenues with provincial and local authorities; place more effective checks and balances on the executive's power to contract foreign debt and enter into financial and trade agreements with other countries, international institutions and commercial entities.
They say that these demands are in keeping with the letter and spirit of the many submissions made to the PRCCR and its recommendations. Certainly that would be so if these are connected to the democratic demands made by the national and religious communities in this country.
They say that these demands are in keeping with the letter and spirit of the many submissions made to the PRCCR and its recommendations. Certainly that would be so if these are connected to the democratic demands made by the national and religious communities in this country.
It is false to say the post-war approaches to reconstruction and development have only aggravated the situation further. On the contrary the approach was correct but it should have been implemented with much intensity; much faster.
Most certainly we must demand social and economic equality and justice as well as inclusion with dignity. However, we must do this while fighting for a solution to the Tamil national problem based on equality, autonomy and the right of self-determination. If not, we become stooges of fascistic national socialism. Hitler too wanted socialism and social justice while spreading national and religious oppression. Those who speak of social justice, without demanding equality and justice to all nationalities and religions are serving the fascistic leaders and also, national and religious oppression and inequality.
Most certainly we must demand social and economic equality and justice as well as inclusion with dignity. However, we must do this while fighting for a solution to the Tamil national problem based on equality, autonomy and the right of self-determination. If not, we become stooges of fascistic national socialism. Hitler too wanted socialism and social justice while spreading national and religious oppression. Those who speak of social justice, without demanding equality and justice to all nationalities and religions are serving the fascistic leaders and also, national and religious oppression and inequality.
