Tamil National Alliance and
Transnational Govt of Tamil Eelam Support Resolutions at Tamil Conference in
London
(Text of a Press Release Issued by the
British Tamil Forum)
( November 13, 2012, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Guardian) The World Tamil Conference held in London in the British Houses of
parliament last week endorsed a historic resolution, stressing “the United
Nation member states to urgently set up an ‘international independent
investigation’ into the complete conduct of the Sri Lankan State against the
Tamil Nation and specifically call upon the investigation of War Crimes, Crimes
against Humanity, and the Crime of Genocide against the Tamil people”.
The Resolution was unanimously passed by
the attendees of the conference who are leaders and senior party members of
Tamilnadu political parties, Parliamentarians of Tamil National Alliance,
members of Tamil National People’s Front, Members of Tamil Civil Society and
Tamil Diaspora Organisations. The conference was attended by a large number of
UK parliamentarians, Human Rights Activists and journalists.
The resolution also urged the leaders of
the international community and the global civil society to: 1) Take immediate
steps to create for free flow of information that would bring to light the
ground realities prevailing in the North and East of the Island of Sri Lanka.
2) To stop decimation of the Tamil Nation by the Sri Lankan State. 3) To stop
Sinhalisation of the Tamil traditional Homeland. 4) To demilitarise the Tamil
People’s Homeland of the people to exercise their democratic rights free from
fear of persecution.
The British MPs who addressed the
gathering accused the United Nations and the International community for
failing to fulfill their obligation in not invoking the “responsibility to
protect” provisions to avert the humanitarian crisis of the Tamils in Sri
Lanka. Describing what has happened in Sri Lanka against Tamils as genocide,
the Vice Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT) Mr.
Robert Halfon condemned the international community for not recognising the
genocide of Tamils. Meanwhile, the chairman of the APPGT Mr. Lee Scott urged
the international community to set up an independent investigation into the
crimes committed by the Sri Lankan government and pledged his support for
Tamils until they achieve their aspirations in Sri Lanka.
Liberal Democrat MP and the Vice
Chairman of the APPGT Mr. Simon Hughes highlighted the state’s primary
responsibility for protecting populations from war crimes and accused the Sri
Lankan government for not abiding to this responsibility and committing serious
war crimes during the final war. He also condemned the international community
for not fulfilling its obligation to prevent this crime in Sri Lanka and
described it as a “fundamental failure on the part of international community”.
Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn in his speech
urged the international community to recognise Tamils’ aspirations and their
right to self determination in Sri Lanka. Labour MPs Siobhain McDonagh and
Garath Thomas urged the international community and the UN to urgently set up
an international independent inquiry into the war in Sri Lanka. Several other
MPs including Conservative MPs Steve Baker, Steve Brine, Bob Blackman, Alok
Sharma, Stephen Hammond, Mike Freer, Nick de Bois, Iain Stewart, Lord Popat of
Harrow, Labour MPs Mike Gapes, Barry Gardiner, Seema Malhotra, Stella Creasy,
Kate Green and Libral Democrats MPs Rt hon Tom Brake attended the conference.
Senior political leaders of Tamil Nadu
who addressed the conference unanimously iterated the urgency of setting up an
international independent inquiry and pledged to work together hand in hand
with the Eelam Tamil people.
The leaders who addressed the gathering
were: Mr. M.K. Stalin, Mr. Rathakrishnan, Mr. Illankovan and Mr. T.R.Balu of
Dravida Munnetra Kalakam, Mr. D.K. Mani of Paddali Makkal Kadchi, Mr. Arul of
Pasumai Thayakam, Mr. Iyanar of Nam Thamilar Kadchi, Mr. Viduthalai Rajendran
of Thiravida Viduthalai Kalakam, Mr. D.K. Rajah, Mr. T. Pandyan of Communist
Party of India, Mr. Thol Tirumavalavan of Viduthalai Chiruthaikal, Mr. Arjun
Sampath of Inthu Makkal Kadchi, Dr. Krishnasuamy of Puthiya Thamilakam, Mr.
Kumaraiya of Ganthiya Makkal Iyakkam, Mr. Saravanan of Save Tamil Movement, Mr.
Thirukumaran of May 17th Movement and Mr. Ram Shankar of Delhi Tamil Advocates
association. Parliamentarians of Tamil National Alliance Mr. Mavai
Senathirajah, Mr. Suresh Premachandran, Mr. Sritharan and Mr. Yokesvaran and
Former MP and the General Secretary of the Tamil National People Front Mr.
Gajendrakumar Ponnampalam.
TNA MP Suresh Premachandran and TNPLF
Secretary General Gandrakumar Ponnampalam commended the conference as a timely
and forward step. Suresh Premachandran emphasized that the international
independent investigation is the way to resolve the conflict in Sri Lanka and
stressed that peace is impossible without resolving the issue of justice.
Meanwhile, Mr. Gajendrakumar Ponnampalam emphasised that the investigation in
Sri Lanka should be focused on the genocide that was committed and continues to
be committed against the Tamil people.
Representatives from the Canadian Tamil
Congress (CTC), Global Tamil Forum (GTF), La Maison du Tamil Eelam – (France),
Norwegian Council of Eezham Tamils, Tamils Against Genocide (TAG) Tamils Centre
for Human Rights (France), Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam, Tamil Youth
Organisation UK (TYO UK) and United States Tamil Political Action Council
(USTPAC) participated on behalf of the Tamil Diaspora organisations.
The following is the resolution adopted
by the Conference:
Expressing our appreciation for their
report on Sri Lanka by the Panel of Experts appointed by the UN Secretary
General and noting in particular the report’s acknowledgment of the persecution
and extermination of the Tamil people for political reasons on ethnic grounds.
Expressing our appreciation for the
findings and recommendations of the Permanent Peoples Tribunal on Sri Lanka
held in Dublin.
Noting with concern the continuing
destruction of the Tamil Nation in the North and East of the Island of Sri
Lanka, despite the end of war in May 2009, and the need for an immediate arrest
to the present conditions of persecution of the Tamil people.
Reminding the responsibilities of the
international community under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal
Court and under the doctrine of the responsibility to protect (R2P).
We call upon the member states of the
United Nations to urgently set up an international independent investigation
into the complete conduct of the Sri Lankan State against the Tamil Nation and
specifically call for an investigation of War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity,
and the Crime of Genocide against the Tamil people.
We urge the leaders of the international
community and the global civil society to: 1) Take immediate steps to provide
for space for free flow of information that would bring to light as to the
ground realities prevailing in the North and East of the Island of Sri Lanka.
2) To stop decimation of the Tamil Nation by the Sri Lankan State. 3) To stop
Sinhalisation of the Tamil traditional Homeland. 4) To demilitarize the Tamil
People’s Homeland for the people to exercise their democratic rights free from
fear of persecution.
Following organisations have already
endorsed this resolution:
British Tamils Forum (United Kingdom)
Canadian Tamil Congress (Canada)
Communist Party of India (India)
Delhi Tamil Advocates Association
(India)
Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam (India)
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (India)
Gandhiya Makkal Iyakkam (India)
Global Peace Support Group UK
Hindu People Party (India)
International Council of Eelam Tamils
(Federation of 14 country councils)
La Maison du Tamil Eelam – (France)
12. May 17 Movements (India)
Naam Tamilar Karchi (India)
Pattali Makkal Katchi (India)
Puthiya Thamilagam Party (India)
Save Tamils Movement (India)
Solidarity Group for Peace and Justice
in Sri Lanka (South Africa)
Tamil National Alliance
Tamil National People’s Front
Tamil Youth Organisation
Tamils For Labour (United Kingdom)
Tamils Centre for Human Rights (France)
Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi(India)
United States Tamil Political Action
Council (US)
There are several other organisations
which are still continuing to endorse this resolution.
