Crying for Justice and Peace

“Expatriate Tamils must seek more unity amongst themselves and with their families in Sri Lanka. The present disunity overseas and internally makes the possibility of Eelam unachievable and prolongs the pain for all Tamils. If the LTTE for good reasons boycotts the June elections or disrupts it, we may see the stalemate and bloodshed continue.”

by R.F. Wooton

(October 15, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The refusal of people to part with their land in the face of brutality and greed is well known in many parts of the world. We can think of South Africa, and Australians know of the evil' genocide that was used to steal the land from Australian Aborigines. The issues of greed, injustice and brutality are familiar to all Sri Lankan. Tamils. While the history of Sri Lanka is long and cruel, present events with the Indian occupation have been particularly barbaric.

1. At the time of signing of the Accord, it was announced that it was a Peace Accord, that it would protect the Tamil people from the Sri Lankan Army's onslaught, and bring autonomy to the Tamil areas. Instead it has brought more war to the Tamil people. The WCC (World Council of Churches) Executive noted at this time `the role assigned to India in the implementation of the Agreement itself can become a problem, especially because of the strong Indian military presence in Sri Lanka'.

2, Neither before nor after the signing of the Accord has the Sri Lanka Government made any attempts at reconciliation with the Tamil people. Nothing has happened since for the Tamil people to forget Sinhala atrocities or resume trust and confidence in the Sinhala Government or people.

3. The only protection the Tamils had against the terrorism of the Sinhalese army and government in recent years had been the militant youth. In particular the defence of the people of Jaffna Peninsula and Jaffna City in 1485-87 was by the LTTE. India's war against the LTTE thus eliminates the main protection the Tamils have had, and expect to have in the future when Indian forces are withdrawn. Having so weakened the LTTE, it is now India's responsibility to safeguard the Tamils, on a continuing basis.

4. When the Indian Army first arrived in Jaffna, they were welcomed enthusiastically by the Tamil people. But the continued fighting of India against the LTTE. and their refusal to negotiate, are progressively alienating the Tamil people from India. For ensuring peace, negotiations between India and the LTTE must resume at the earliest possibility.

5. There is no inherent conflict of interests between Indian geopolitical objectives in Sri Lanka, and Tamil Human rights and autonomy.

6. The early inauguration of a regional administration in the North and East, as envisaged in the Accord,. is essential and was seen as a positive step towards peace and autonomy. However, these negotiations failed. A series of incidents resulted in a fast deterioration of the situation and the LTTE defying the agreement. The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) then began a major military offensive against the LTTE in the Jaffna peninsula. There are many reports from Churches and other sources about the large scale civilian casualties, appalling conditions and severe hardship to the civilians. The General Secretary of the WCG pointed out on 15 October 1987 that `the Indian Forces contrary to all public statements put out by the official media have engaged in indiscriminate killing and aerial attacks.' An appeal by the General Secretary reiterated the appeal `to seek ways to end the fighting and renew efforts for negotiations and political settlement'.

7. There are indications that some Tamil refugees now in India are being repatriated to Sri Lanka. Arrangements for their settlements and rehabilitation should be made by the Indian authorities. The relief of thousands of refugees within Sri Lanka itself, and the release of thousands of Tamil youth still held in detention, though part of the Accord, have not been implemented. One estimate we have is that there are 400,000 refugees within the peninsula.

8. Before further repatriation of refugees from India, the Indian authorities should seriously consider that they may trigger similar action by many overseas countries. We believe India should go slow with its Repatriation Program. The Regional Administration when set up will have many problems to handle. Additional complications with returning refugees should be postponed. At the least we should heed the advice of the WCC General Secretary in appealing to all Governments `to take immediate steps for rehabilitation and relief and to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross and other Humanitarian Organisations to provide assistance to the people in the area'.

9. The Indian Army caused death and injury, and destruction and damage to numerous buildings. The destruction caused is far greater than that by Sri Lankan forces. They should be required to restore all damaged homes, schools, hospitals, etc.; and render relief to the families of the victims.

10. The future requires that the human rights of the Tamil nation, as of any small nation, shall have the protection and support of the International Community.

11. Once the regional administration functions and restores some stability, international relief organisations should participate in the rehabilitation of refugees, and the restoration of nationhood.

12. The expatriate Tamils, together with human rights organisations worldwide, should acquaint the, Indian Government of the realities as the Tamils see it, and urge immediate resumption of negotiations with the Tamil Liberation movements. It is evident that without bringing the LTTE into the political process no solution can be found. In public the Indian Government has rejected moves for negotiations with the LT'1'E but behind the scenes it appears that there are direct and indirect contacts. It is hoped that the LTTE which is primarily a military organisation might join the political mainstream rather than.just continue as a guerrilla movement.

Expatriate Tamils must seek more unity amongst themselves and with their families in Sri Lanka. The present disunity overseas and internally makes the possibility of Eelam unachievable and prolongs the pain for all Tamils. If the LTTE for good reasons boycotts the June elections or disrupts it, we may see the stalemate and bloodshed continue.

India because it has the power, must allow the worldwide Tamil refugee problem to be resolved by establishing a secure state in which the Tamil people can live in safety and security.

It is certainly the prayer of most in the world that justice and peace may be realised in Sri Lanka.

[ From – “The Tamil National Question and the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord”] - Sri Lanka Guardian