Declarations alone cannot end violence in the absence of social justice and equality

- Virakesari Editorial

(August 04, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) It was the issue of terrorism that was discussed at length at the 15th SAARC summit held in Colombo. SAARC summit was used as a platform to harness support against terrorism, although the concept of terrorism has shades of meanings ranging from terrorism and state terrorism. In 1985, when the SARRC conference was initiated, there had been differences of opinions between India and Sri Lanka on the Sri Lankan ethnic issue. At that time, the Indian premier Rajiv Ghandhi and Lankan President Jayawardena were conscious of a resolution of ethnic problem. Therefore, during the second summit in Bangalore, both India and Sri Lanka were trying to bring peace to Sri Lanka.

However, during the time of President Premadasa, India and
Sri Lanka had strained relationship. During the 1989 SARRC summit, which was hosted in Pakistan in 1989, Premadasa decided to boycott the SARRC summit as a protest against India.

In Pakistan, former Prime Minister Bhutto became the victim of extremism. During his talks with American President George Bush, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousof Gilani made a request from America not to take any action against the extremists unilaterally, since his country was determined to fight against extremism.

A few days prior to the arrival of Indian Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh for the present Summit, there had been series of bomb blasts in his country. Afghanistan Prime Minister Hameed is considered to be the leader who faces the greatest threat from extremists.

Meanwhile, Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukerji has put forward a proposal to fight against global terrorism. He recalled that India forwarded a similar proposal to the UN 12 years ago.

Meanwhile, UNHCR high Commissioner Navaneetham Pillai has expressed concern over violence in all parts of world including India and observed that the world is still not ready to handle terrorism and that it should engage in preventive measures.

SARRC countries have lost lives in large numbers due to violence and state terrorism. For example, one does not know the number of people who have migrated to the Westen countries and to India from Sri Lanka. There are more than 200,000 people who have been internally displaced in this country.

In 1971, more than 30,000 youths wee killed during an uprising and the unofficial figures can be higher. The Tamil people face immense problems and they have lost lives and possessions.

Their struggle for their right to self determination and for their legitimate aspirations is branded as terrorism, while the struggle of the JVP youths was seen as an uprising.

The Colombo declaration is based on a concept which sees the upheavals in the SARRC countries as terrorism. Violence breeds, when one nation or class tries to oppress the other. Violence breeds, when there is violation of human rights.

Declarations and resolutions cannot deliver goods or put an end to violence, unless there is social justice and equality in the society.

(An English translation of the Editorial in Virakesari, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo)
- Sri Lanka Guardian