Tamil Justice

Click here for more videos of the protest

Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

The Times: ‘Rally to Sri Lanka as you did for Gaza’

FIGHTING FOR PEACE: Supporters of the Solidarity Group for Peace and Justice in Sri Lanka held a protest in Durban last week to create awareness of human right violations on the island. Picture: JACKIE CLAUSEN

Canberra, Australia
Associated Press – Tamil protesters march to embassies

A young protestor yells out her protest chants towards US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Geneva, Switzerland

Swissinfo: Tamil conflict highlighted on Swiss streets

Below are two video links emailed to us by a weblog viewer which shows the estimated 15,000 Tamils (and non-Tamils) who converged in front of the United Nations office in Geneva on 20 February 2009. Tributes were also made to the Tamils to date who have recently self-immolated in protest to the current Sri Lankan government military offensive in the North and in demand for a seperate state for the Tamils in Sri Lanka. One such Mr Murugathas self-immolated on 12 February 2009 in front of the United Nations office in Geneva.

Despite calls from the UN, human rights groups, governments and even the Pope, the SL regime has rejected calls for a ceasefire.

NY Times: Sri Lanka Rejects Call for Truce, Saying Defeat of Rebels Is Near

Guardian UK: Sri Lanka rejects international call for ceasefire with Tamil Tigers

The International Community’s calls are falling on deaf ears! Or rather, arrogant cruel racist inhumane ears…

Mr Stephen Smith
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Statement to House on Situation in Sri Lanka

- Over recent weeks and months, the Australian government has consistently stated that its strong view remains that Sri Lanka’s conflict cannot be resolved through military means alone.
- Australia considers a political solution to be essential for longterm peace in a country which has suffered so long from bitter conflict.
- Earlier today I announced that Australia will contribute $5 million in additional humanitarian assistance to those affected in the north of Sri Lanka. This is in addition to the $4 million in food aid Australia recently announced for Sri Lanka through the World Food Program.
- We reiterate our call for a political solution to this conflict. The long-term security and prosperity of Sri Lanka will only be achieved through a political solution that meets the legitimate aspirations of all Sri Lankans.

Audio
Script – visit page 63

Andrew Robb
Shadow Minister for Infrastruction and COAG
Statement to House

- In my previous role as shadow minister for foreign affairs for the coalition I became acutely aware of this ongoing conflict taking place in Sri Lanka, a civil conflict which has been raging since July 1983 following the most destructive explosion of communal rioting in the history of that island nation—period in Sri Lanka’s history commonly referred to as Black July’.
- The coalition welcomes any well-targeted measures that extend humanitarian assistance to those innocent victims of this conflict and helps facilitate both parties following the path of a sustainable peace agreement.
- The lessons of history confirm that a political solution is the only effective way to end the violence, resolve the conflict and provide a durable peace in Sri Lanka. The coalition joins the Australian government in calling for peaceful resolution to this conflict as soon as possible for the sake of all the citizens of Sri Lanka.

Audio
Script – visit page 64

The Sri Lankan government has rejected a US-led call to negotiate with the Tamil Tigers

Pope Benedict XVI added his voice to the calls to stop the offensive for the sake of what he called “the growing number of innocent victims”.

Full Report

Patients killed in cluster bomb attack on Sri Lankan hospital

More than 50 civilians were killed in fighting yesterday between Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan army that saw cluster bombs dropped on the last functioning hospital in the north of the country, aid agencies said.

Gordon Weiss, a spokesman for the UN, said the region’s only remaining hospital in Puthukkudiyiruppu was evacuated early this morning after 16 hours of shelling that included a cluster bomb attack.

A dozen patients were killed in the shelling, which both sides deny came from them, although reports suggest air strikes were used against the hospital. Only the Sri Lankan army has such capability. Almost all the remaining wards have been evacuated.

A joint statement on the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka was issued today on 3 February by the USA and UK

“They affirmed their insistence on a political resolution to this longstanding conflict. The time to resume political discussions is now and we will continue to work with the Tokyo Co-Chairs, the Sri Lankan government, and the UN to facilitate such a process.”

Full Text

Sri Lanka Tigers urged to end war