Mullivaikal 2012 - Solidarity with the Tamil people

 The Socialist 23 May 2012

Thousands of people gathered in Trafalgar Square for the Mullivaikal massacre commemoration on Saturday 19 May. This massacre in May 2009 marked the so-called end of the war on Tamils by the Sri Lankan armed forces, under orders from president Mahinda Rajapaksa and his regime.

It was a very emotional event; everyone present has been affected by the war and its aftermath.

The leaflet produced by Tamil Solidarity, to protest against the invitation to Rajapaksa to attend the queen's diamond jubilee celebrations was very well received with enthusiasm especially among young people to get involved.

Martin Powell-Davies, on the executive of the National Union of Teachers, pointed out the important role that trade unions can play in informing people of the situation in Sri Lanka, and building support for the struggle of Tamil people.

Unlike the politicians under the influence of big business interests, trade unionists are the real allies of the Tamils because their interests are like those of other working class people in Britain and internationally.

Martin got the biggest cheer of the day when he said that Rajapaksa should be arrested if he attends the jubilee.

Many speakers, including MPs from the main parties, strongly criticised the Sri Lankan regime, with one of the most common calls being that there should be an international investigation into war crimes.

Yet the political establishment - New Labour, Tory and Lib Dem - have done nothing to bring the regime to account.

Manny Thain, Tamil Solidarity national secretary, questioned the politicians' claims of support for Tamil-speaking people.

Their words are fine enough, but they must be backed up by real solidarity and action on issues such as the deportation of Tamils back into the arms of the brutal regime, and the cancellation of Rajapaksa's visit to Britain.

People at the top only act when they are put under massive pressure from below. An important part of the Tamil Solidarity campaign is to take the issues into the trade unions, universities and colleges, including the National Shop Stewards Network conference on 9 June.

The annual Mullivaikal commemoration is a way to mourn those who have died and disappeared. It is also a way to reunite and rededicate ourselves to the struggle for the rights of Tamil-speaking people including the right to self-determination.

Keerthikan, Tamil Solidarity

Sad Tale Of Sri Lanka Tamils-What Happened And What Needs To Be Done?

May 23, 2012 

By Dr G K Nathan -

Sri Lanka Tamils worldwide have a strong affinity towards India, most of them follow with interest actions taken by or policy of the Government of India to advance an equitable solution to the long standing Sinhala-Tamil conflict; as well as take notice of views of political parties of different persuasions, writings and media presentations of opinion makers in India with a glimpse of hope that India’s intervention will bring about a just outcome.

The current situation is due to four and a half centuries of colonial rule by Portuguese, Dutch and finally British who thought that the proposed Sri Lanka constitution at the time of Independence in 1948, provided protection to minority communities: Eelam Tamils (one of the original group of inhabitants, mainly Hindus), Upcountry Tamils (Indentured labour brought to work in plantation industry starting from the nineteenth century, mainly Hindus), Muslims (number of groups of Islamic faith arrived over many centuries, but  majority is Tamil speaking) and Burghers (mixed race between Europeans and local people of Christian faith).  

Unfortunately, Sinhala  majority community failed to respect or accommodate the rights of other groups; immediately after Independence, almost half of the Upcountry Tamils were disenfranchised, started the state aided colonization, later denied language, educational and political rights of minorities; also changed the constitution twice further marginalizing the minorities rights’. Above acts happened because Britain failed to incorporate rigorous safeguards in the constitution for the protection of rights of minorities; furthermore the constitution did not meet the needs of multiethnic, multilingual, multireligious groups in Sri Lanka. This led to Sinhala-Tamil conflict, started with peaceful protests that were oppressed and culminated with Tamil youths taking up arms; the early phase of armed conflict was supported by Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister of India, finally in 2008 India collaborated with Sri Lanka in ending the military conflict.

During the three decades long armed conflict and based on available published estimates, minimum casualties are put at: killed (100,000), maimed (30,000), widowed (85,000) and also large scale destruction of infrastructure and means of livelihood during the conflict over the past six decades, left them as destitute.  Everyone who has followed and others who have experienced this catastrophe is hoping for a fresh initiative from the International community to resolve the six decades long Sinhala-Tamil conflict.

Erosion of Sri Lanka Tamils’ Rights under International Watch          Read More

Thousands gather in London to commemorate 

third year remembrance of Mullivaikkaal 

Massacre

 Monday, May 21st, 2012 

Strongly condemning the continuous human rights violations perpetrated by the Sri Lankan government against the Tamil people in the island known as Sri Lanka, British Parliamentarians from all sections of the British political parties, political activists of Tamil Naadu, India and Human Rights Activists urged the UK government and the international community to act without further delay to establish an international independent investigation into Sri Lanka’s conduct of the war that ended in May 2009.

Speaking among thousands of Tamils who gathered in London’s Trafalgar Square on Saturday 19th May 2012 between 5.00pm – 8.00pm to commemorate the third anniversary of Mullivaikkaal massacre, the British Parliamentarians warned of boycott of the Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lanka in 2013 by the British Government, if there was not enough progress made soon by the Sri Lankan government in implementing the positive recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). They also called for an international independent investigation to address the inadequacy of the LLRC on investigating war crimes and crimes against humanity allegations against the Sri Lankan regime.

The event had been organised by the British Tamils Forum (BTF). Ravi Kumar of BTF opened the event welcoming the gathering. He spoke of the callous manner in which the Sri Lankan government was making the war affected Tamils suffer in the North and East and their continuing structural genocide operations in the Tamil people’s homeland in the name of development.

In his message to the event, the leader of the opposition in the UK Parliament and the leader of the Labour Party, Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, reiterated his party’s call for an international independent investigation into the conduct of the war during the final months.  Mr Miliband urged the Sri Lankan government to co-operate with the United Nations to implement the recommendations of the LLRC report, while warning that the lack of progress  in this matter would force Britain to review its representation at 2013 Commonwealth heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka.

A memorandum also was submitted to the British Prime Minister David Cameron,  requesting him to initiate an independent international investigation into the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Sri Lanka and deliver justice to the people massacred in the war against the Tamil people. Specifically, the memorandum declares that, “the Tamil people cannot and will not let their land be taken away by the Sinhalese. We appeal to the international community to wake up to the structural genocide that is unfolding in the island of Sri Lanka”.

A large number of people were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans demanding an international inquiry into war crimes allegations against the Sri Lankan government, condemning the Sinhala colonisation, militarisation, harassments, abductions, rape, murder and restrictions in Tamils’ Homeland.

Among those who attended the event and delivered speeches were Conservative MP for Ilford North and Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group of Tamils Lee Scot, Labour MP Barry Gardener for Brent North, Liberal Democrat MP for Bermondsey & Old Southwark and Deputy Leader of Liberal Democrat party Simon Hughes, Councilor for Redbridge Cllr Alan Weinberg, Executive Member of  the National Union of Teachers Martin Powell-Davies,  Barrister and International Human Rights Expert Margaret Owen OBE, Dr. Andrew Higginbottom of Kingston University, Deputy Mayor of London Baroness Victoria Borwick, Indian film Director Gowthaman,  National Coordinator of Tamil Solidarity Manny Thain and Tim Martin of Act Now. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian Mr S. Sritharan also attended the event and delivered a speech that stressed the importance of sustained efforts on all fronts to win the rights of Tamil people.

Throughout his speech, Lee Scott MP pledged his continuous support until Tamil people achieve the justice they deserve. Speaking at the event, Simon Hughes MP castigated the international

community for letting the Tamils down, saying that there is a responsibility on world leaders to deliver justice for the Tamil people. Barry Gardener MP said that arrival of Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksha to the UK and the Commonwealth Conference of 2013 in Sri Lanka should not happen unless there were prospects of tangible improvement in human rights on the ground, while Dr. Andrew Higginbottom in his speech called for the self-determination for Tamil people, and said which remains the key to peace in Sri Lanka.

Urging the UK government to recognise the genocide that took place in Sri Lanka, the Conservative MP Robert Halfon  for Harlow , said referring to the UN Human rights Council respolution passed in March 2011 “If Sri Lanka does not implement the recommendations of the ‘Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission’ by the time it meets again this September; I believe that Britain should boycott the 2013 Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lanka”, while another Conservative MP Rt Hon Grant Shapps for Welwyn Hatfield, called for an independent thorough and credible investigation into accusations of violations of humanitarian and human rights law during the conflict.

The Liberal Democrats MP Paul Burstow for Sutton and Cheam, in his message expressed hope that the recent report by the UN Panel of Experts would lead to an international inquiry similar to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

Describing the crimes committed by the Sri Lankan government as ‘genocide’, Ken Livingstone, Former Mayor of London and MP for Brent East said that the recent UN resolution was only a first step in the process of establishing a truly independent and international investigation into Sri Lanka’s conduct of the war.

Member of the European Parliament, Jean Lambert said, “the independent investigation into alleged crimes remains of utmost importance”.

Labour MP Gareth Thomas for Harrow West and Conservative MP Rt Hon Grant Shapps for Welwyn Hatfield underlined the necessity of establishing an independent inquiry into the war crime allegations against Sri Lanka, while conservative MP  Stephen Hammond for Wimbledon urged the Sri Lankan government to implement the recommendations of the “Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission” quickly and fully.” Commenting on the continuing human rights violations in Sri Lanka, Stephen Hammond said, “Persecution of the Tamils must stop. Civil administration and full political rights must be restored. The freedom of expression, movement and assembly must be allowed freely and fairly without fear”.

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Remembering Mu’l’livaaykkaal is for edification of international community

Dr Fernando receiving the copy of a poetry book by the exiled writer Thirukumaran [left]. The book contains 68 poems which depict not only the pain and suffering but also the power of resistance. Some of these poems were read at the Mu'l'livaaykkaal Remembrance event in Dublin.

Dr. Jude Lal Fernando
[TamilNet, Tuesday, 22 May 2012, 22:14 GMT]
Remembering Mu’l’livaaykkaal is not wailing for a tragedy. It is remembering the highest achievement of modern Tamil history, when Tamils decisively said no to an entire international community abetting a genocidal state. Mu’l’livaaykkaal is not an end of a journey. It calls for our massive re-commitment of collective political aspirations more than ever, as the Sri Lankan state has intensified its second phase of genocide, again aided by the international community, said Dr. Jude Lal Fernando, addressing Mu’l’livaaykkaal rememberance event in Dublin, Ireland, on Friday. Dr. Fernando, a Sinhalese currently lecturing and doing post-doctoral research in peace studies in Ireland was 
one of the main co-ordinators of the Dublin Permanent People’s Tribunal on Sri Lanka held in January 2010.  

Dr. Fernando’s vantage of looking at Mu’l’livaaykkaal from a Tamil history perspective as well as from a universal perspective of the edification of the international community gains significance, when failed ‘peace facilitators’ like Erik Solheim of Norway, asserting that his view is the stand of the international community, denies the right of self-determination to Eezham Tamils despite the two phases of genocide, and asks them to “abide by the international community.”

There is no support for a new separate state in Sri Lanka or for the models of applying self-determination as in Southern Sudan and other examples, Solheim said in Oslo, a week ago.

“My opinion here is absolutely similar of the opinion of India, of the European Union and the United States of America. [...] – and of a broader western global community. It may not be the opinion of Iran or Pakistan or some other forces. But, it is most certainly the opinion of the influential parts of the international community in the United States and Europe,” Solheim, sharing stage with TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran, asserted at the meeting organized by some diaspora Tamils.
Full story >> 

Sri Lanka main Tamil party backs removal of military camps from north

2012-05-22 

COLOMBO, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's main Tamil party is continuing to press for the removal of army camps in the northern part of the country though President Mahinda Rajapaksa had ruled out such a move, an official said here Tuesday.

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan told the media that his party would continue to press for the removal of military camps in the former war-torn northern part of the country.

"The current ratio of security personnel in the north of the country is one soldier to every eight civilians. This is too much and we have highlighted the need to reduce the military presence to restore normalcy to this region," he said.

Sri Lanka's key commission on accountability appointed by the president, the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) has also recommended that military camps be removed from the north.

But President Mahinda Rajapaksa insisted last Saturday that he would not allow such a move since there were still Tamil Tiger sympathizers trying to instigate separatism there.

He also insisted that the LLRC report would not be used as a " tool for separatism."

Sinhala-Buddhist temple opened to ‘celebrate’ genocide at Mu’l’livaaykkaal
The Sinhala-Buddhist stupa at Vadduvaakal at the entrance to the strip of Mu'l'livaaykkaal. While the Tamil public was not allowed to enter the region, the stupa was secretely built and inaugurated recently.

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 22 May 2012, 00:33 GMT]
Coinciding the third anniversary of Mu’l’livaaykkaal genocide, a secretly built Sinhala-Buddhist stupa was inaugurated at Vaddu-vaakal, the entrance to the Mu’l’livaaykkaal genocidal strip of land in Mullaiththeevu. As the Tamil public is yet to be allowed into the stretch of land, the building of the stupa at the genocidal site went unnoticed until its inauguration. Two weeks ago, Colombo opened a coastal road built by Chinese, linking Mu’l’livaaukkaal with Kokku’laay and Pulmoaddai where Sinhala colonisation takes place in high speed. Mu’l’livaaykkaal has already become a ‘tourist’ place for the Sinhalese from the South. While the ‘tourists’ and the Sinhala colonists using the new road are permitted to roam in the stretch of land, Tamils are not permitted to get out of the vehicles. The stupa, with an all-Sinhalese signboard has been built at the side of the new road. 
Vaddu-vaakal where the Sinhala-Buddhist stupa is built is the spot from where one enters the Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal strip from the southern side. The place is also close to Vattaap-pazhai, the famous pilgrim centre of Eezham Tamils in Vanni. 
Vadduvaakal located at the entrance to the genocidal field of Mu'l'livaaykkaal [Map by TamilNet]
Buddhist temples are recently opened at Saiva sacred places in Mannaar and Trincomalee. The Jaffna city itself will be welcoming visitors from the seaside with a massive   Buddhist stupa.

The Sinhala-Buddhist stupa at the genocidal ground of Vadduvaakal. Note the all-Sinhala board mutilating the place name Mullaith-theevu. 

The Chinese-built coastal highway linking Pulmoaddai, Kokku’laay and Mullaiththeevu with Mu’l’livaaykkaal will be extended further north along the coast, up to Point Pedro in the northern tip of Jaffna.


    The Chinese built road from Pulmoaddai to Mu'l'livaaykkaal which will be extended to Point Pedro. Click to enlarge. [Map by TamilNet]
All along this coast, Sinhala fishermen have already been brought by the occupying military. 

The master plan to Sinhalicize all the coasts of Eezham Tamils to imprison them permanently in their land, is implemented with open nakedness.

The Tamil memory of the genocide is ridiculed with open contempt by the Sinhala military celebrating victory at Palaali and the Sinhala-Buddhists building a ‘temple’ at the strip of land where the genocide was committed.

While any hoodwink from India, USA and the West about finding solution within ‘united Sri Lanka’ is openly and hurriedly countered and pre-empted by the structural genocide of the Sinhala state to make such solutions totally meaningless, the question that who among them are the real culprits is now widely asked by Eezham Tamils.

The anger is turning more and more towards India and the USA, and who ever talks about ‘united’ Sri Lanka, gives assurances to the territorial ‘integrity’ of the genocidal state to continue with the structural genocide and advises Tamils to abide by the so-called international community.

The Indian parliamentary team of the Congress, BJP and CPI-M didn’t utter a word on the on-going colonisation, Sinhalicisation and Buddhicisation.

The Indian diplomat in Jaffna chose to attend the victory celebrations of the occupying Sinhala military at Palaali during the week Tamils were bereaving the genocide.

The Agenda with Steve Paikin: Moving Sri Lanka Forward

As Sri Lanka emerges from a war that spanned three decades, The Agenda examines what is next for the island nation.

Sri Lanka's Sarath Fonseka urges co-operation over war

22 May 2012

General Fonseka was released from jail on Monday

Continue reading the main story

Sri Lanka must co-operate with any international investigation into alleged war crimes, ex-army chief Sarath Fonseka has told the BBC, a day after his release from jail.

He said some Sri Lankan leaders were "hiding their faces" over the conduct of the war, as if they were guilty.

But Mr Fonseka, who led the army to its 2009 victory over Tamil rebels, denied thousands of civilians had been killed.

There have have been repeated calls for an international probe into the war.

Sri Lanka's army put an end to 26 years of brutal civil war when they defeated the separatist Tamil Tigers in May 2009.

Subsequently Mr Fonseka fell out with President Mahinda Rajapaksa over who should get credit for that victory.

He was jailed for corruption in 2010 after challenging him for the presidency.

Nevertheless the final phase of that war has been a source of considerable controversy, with both sides accused of war crimes.

Human rights groups estimate that up to 40,000 civilians were killed in the final months of the war. The government recently released its own estimate, concluding that about 9,000 people perished during that period

In March the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution urging Sri Lanka to do more to address alleged abuses during the final phase of war with Tamil rebels.

Full Story>>>

Tragedy of the Sri Lankan State

TUESDAY, 22 MAY 2012

Erosion of the Right to Life, Liberty and Security of Person

By Sarath N Silva
Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted and proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 10, 1948 states that;

“Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person”. This is the basic human right from which the other rights contained in the two Covenants of the United Nations which entered into force in 1976 are derived. The Government of Sri Lanka acceded to the two Covenants on 27 May 1980. The chosen day of accession was significantly the Wesak Day of the year, Thus the Government of Sri Lanka has undertaken an international obligation to respect and to ensure to all individuals within the country the rights recognised in the Universal Declaration and the Covenants.

The General Assembly established the Human Rights Council (UNHRC) based in Geneva to review the position within each member state; to ascertain the measures taken to give effect to the rights of the Covenant and the extent to which people within the country are ensured the benefit of such rights. Hence, queries raised in Geneva cannot be castigated as an “imperial intervention to our sovereignty” as some ill informed persons are wont to do. They flow directly from a solemn undertaking given to the international community by the Government of Sri Lanka on an auspicious Wesak day and should be viewed as a precept taken for due and faithful observance.

Considered from another perspective, the fundamental rights guaranteed to every person by our Constitution are derived from the human rights of the Universal Declaration and of the Covenants. According to the basic Article 3 of the Constitution, fundamental rights form part of the sovereignty of the people which is inalienable. Article 4 (d) of the Constitution requires all organs of government being the executive, the legislature and the judiciary to “respect secure and advance” the fundamental rights of the people. Thus, measures taken by the UNHRC to secure our fundamental rights in effect enhance the sovereignty of the Republic of Sri Lanka that is reposed in the people and not in any organ of government as mistakenly espoused by some who are blinded by notions of monarchic grandeur.

The right to life encompasses: a right to a quality of life with an adequate standard of living; healthcare, education; the right to work and conditions of employment; the right to form a trade union; right to take part in cultural life and to enjoy the benefit of scientific progress.

Liberty, is essentially an absence of restraint and includes: the right to think; form an opinion, the freedom of speech, expression and publication; the freedom of assembly and association; the freedom to practise a religion of your choice; the freedom of movement and of choosing a residence within Sri Lanka. Such liberty may be subject to restrictions lawfully imposed to secure the enjoyment of liberty by the society as a whole.

The right to security of person, safeguards everyone from arbitrary arrest and detention which may be done only according to the due process of law. Any punishment may be imposed only by a court of competent jurisdiction with the person affected being entitled to have the conviction and punishment reviewed by a higher tribunal.

The world which emerged from two devastating wars gave its first priority to the guarantee of human rights universally, as the best safeguard against the recurrence of war and “to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,” as stated in the preamble to the Declaration. The relative peace of the post war period and the phenomenal material progress achieved, established the wisdom of the measures taken. Europe which was the seat of both wars, adopted in 1950 its own Convention on Human Rights based on the Universal Declaration under the aegis of the Council of Europe, with a separate Court and an enforcement mechanism including a Commission which has functioned effectively to ensure a high compliance of human rights. This war torn region has been transformed to the most peaceful area with the highest standard of life.

We in Sri Lanka inherited from the British a system of Parliamentary democracy, a firm commitment to the Rule of Law and an independent judiciary and public service including the Police. Although there was no elaboration of fundamental rights in the Soulbury Constitution which was previous to the Universal Declaration, the commitment to the Rule of Law, the independent judiciary and public service including the police assured to everyone the right to life, liberty and security of person. We attained a high standard of life with education, healthcare and welfare measures, way ahead of that in the region. The Prime Minister of Singapore stated early in 1950s that he took Sri Lanka as an example to be emulated. Although short sighted political measures to suddenly transform Sinhala to be the official language brought about communal violence of 1959, that too was contained. This relative peace, harmony and progress was shattered by the insurrection of 1971. The Emergency Regulations brought into force in March 1971 which was suppressive of human rights continued in force for decades. The recurrence of southern violence in 1988 and the four Eelam wars resulted in an entrenchment of the Emergency Regulations and repressive legislation such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Any measures to safeguard the security of the State or more appropriately that of the political establishment were condoned and there was impunity in respect of any transgression. The right to life, liberty and security of person drifted to the far horizon.

Southern violence was brutally crushed leaving no vestige. It is a redeeming feature that the JVP which inspired the 1971 insurrection has taken the path of democratic politics. The LTTE was firmly defeated on the banks of the Nandikadal lagoon on 19 May 2009. Sri Lanka thus reached a watershed in its current history similar to the watershed reached by the world with the defeat of Hitler. We should have followed the example of the world more particularly of Europe, demilitarised our island and restored the right to life liberty and security of person which had got heavily eroded due to the ravages of war and rebellion. Instead, we moved in the opposition direction. We increased our military expenditure which is now the highest in the region as a percentage of GDP and started fighting a phantom war.   

A few days prior to my retirement as Chief Justice, early in June 2009, I had occasion to visit the ‘Menik Farm’ where thousands of refugees from the Wanni were detained in conditions of abject squalor and suffering. Long queue of pregnant women wailing for medical attention left a lasting impression of sadness and I realised that we were on the wrong path and that the tragedy of the erosion of the right to life, liberty and security of person will remain. I sensed that there would be a backlash but never guessed that it would be from Geneva.

Klein used to make bricks for Ranaviru Seya used to burn bodies

Tuesday, 22 May 2012 

The klein in Galkadawala, Anuradhapura that is being used to manufacture bricks to be used in the construction of the Ranaviru Seya had been used to burn the bodies of several unknown persons, it is reliably learnt.

The klein was built with aid from UNESCO to manufacture special bricks to be used in the restoration work of the Jethavana and Abhayagiri stupas. The klein has been built following a plan by then head of the Cultural Triangle, Prof. Ronald Silva in order to manufacture the large quantities of bricks required to restore the dagabos.

Several hundred thousand bricks are manufactured in the klein at one go while it operates for several days non stop.

Following the President’s decision to build the Ranaviru Seya, the klein and the acres of land surrounding it have been taken over by the Defence Ministry and assigned to the Civil Defence Force.

When the acquisition was made, the bricks required for the Jethavana stupa had been manufactured and the President had directed the Cultural Triangle to get the bricks required for the Abhayagiri stupa from privately owned kleins after calling for tenders.

In this backdrop, outsiders have been prevented from entering into the Galkadawala klein. Only persons identified by the Defnece Ministry have been assigned to work at the klein.

Therefore, bodies of several unidentified youths have been brought from outside to the klein and burnt. Since the klein is operational for months at a stretch, it is used to burn bodies as there would not be any trace of remains.

Breaking Ice To Avoid Avalanches In Geneva

May 22, 2012 

By Austin Fernando -

Austin Fernando

Minister GL Pieris has recently stated the Sri Lankan Government’s (SLG’s) stance on responding to international demands to solve the domestic political crisis. In theUS, to be heard also by the Diaspora, he emphasized on a “domestic process,” “not donor-driven or foreign-owned,” possessing a “home-grown element,” as solution to the crisis.

He further noted that SLG has “recently initiated a process” to implement LLRC recommendations meaningfully, after extensive consultation within the government. He deliberately skipped the unabated nasty anti-LLRC sentiments orchestrated by some coalition partners within the government and instinctively prioritized resettlement and ongoing economic and infrastructure development in the North as achievements.

Seriousness of international demands

The ‘international demands’ he has in mind are encapsulated in the Geneva Resolution (GR) which has four important foci. They are:

• SLG has to implement the ‘constructive LLRC recommendations’ and take steps to fulfill relevant legal obligations and commitments to initiate credible and independent actions, to ensure justice, equity, accountability and reconciliation for all Sri Lankans. I may say that there are many constructive recommendations (e.g. 9:14, 9:23, 9:37, 9:39, 9:60 etc) that could be implemented to prove SLG’s genuineness;
• SLG has to present, as expeditiously as possible, “a comprehensive action plan” (AP) detailing the steps taken and will take to implement the LLRC recommendations, and address alleged international law violations;
• Encourage the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) and relevant special procedures mandate holders to provide, in consultation with, and with the concurrence of the SLG, advice and technical assistance on implementing the above mentioned steps; and,
• The Office of the High Commissioner to present a report on the provision of such assistance to the Human Rights Council at its 22^nd Session. This seemingly makes the UNHRC Report (positive / negative) mandatory.
•  Read More

European capitalism unravels big-A 


Greek ti –bomb ticks in Europe


Sunday 20 May 2012
Greece, in popular fiction, is the cradle of democracy. Why fiction? It was a slave society with democracy confined to Greek males. Nevertheless, its thinkers made contribution for which we are grateful to this day. Now it is not the turnover in France but the startling (for bourgeois but not Marxist commentators) outcome of the May 6 elections in Greece that point the way the rest of Europe will go in the coming years. The applecart has been upturned and the well laid schemes of all the powers of European capitalism are unravelling. Whose applecart has been upturned? The programme put together by the troika, plus European banks and finance capital, plus the European leadership under the Merkel-Sarkozy high command. (Troika stands for the IMF, European Central Bank, European Commission, triumvirate). I call the sum total of the packages these agencies have put together the Brussels Compact (BC). BC aims to bail out distressed banks, governments and financiers, combined with harsh austerity and budget cuts for ordinary folk.
Living standards have fallen and social safety-nets are disappearing, unemployment has risen sharply (in Spain 25%) and youth unemployment has gone out of control – 21% on an EU-wide basis, 51% in Spain. The suicide rate in Greece has doubled in recent years. A Europe-wide double-dip now crowns the New Depression (ND). UK, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands are in a second dip. The basket cases are Greece (five years in recession, that is output falling every year), in Ireland the economy did NOT contract in only two quarters since 2008, and Portugal has been in recession for six successive quarters. The ND is the longest period in the recorded history of the UK where, after a recession, the economy has still to recover to its pre-recession level! Even in the Great Depression of the 1930s, UK output recovered to the pre-crash level in four years. In Greece (83%), Spain (85%), Italy (89%), Ireland (91%) and Portugal (94%) the GDP is still below its 2007 or 2008 peak – the numbers in brackets give the comparison to the pre-crisis peak. Europe will slide into 1930s style self-destruction and invoke a world slump more serious then 2008 – fitting proof of my WobbleU thesis – unless it wipes out sovereign and household debt that big capital uses as a stranglehold.

The revolt in the Acropolis         Full Story>>>