To:
From: sansad@sansad.org
Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 22:40:40 -0700
Subject: Remembering the victims of Sri Lankan war
SANSAD News Release: May 17, 2010
Remembering the victims of Sri Lankan war
One year ago the civil war in Sri Lanka, which began in 1975, came to a tragic end when over 20,000 innocent civilians were massacred by the Sri Lankan army on the pretext of liberating them from Liberation Tigers of Thamil Eelam (LTTE). The United Nations and the international community turned a deaf ear to the plea of these civilians. The UN failed to exercise its responsibility to protect civilians. The Commonwealth countries did nothing to stop the killings, either, though Sri Lanka is a member of the Commonwealth nations. Though the UN estimated that there are over 7000 killed, 13000 wounded and over 300,000 displaced, sources from Northern Sri Lanka indicate that the figures could be much higher.
The Sri Lankan government never permitted any international organization such as International Red Cross, Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch to visit the war-ravaged areas or the camps set up by the government. These camps are without adequate sanitation, drinking water, and medical facilities. They do not have any schools.
A year has passed since the war ended. But the civilians who were displaced are still languishing inside the heavily fortified camps. The latest information points out that the houses owned by the civilians have been all damaged and whatever remained have been looted with the full knowledge of the Sri Lankan security forces. The army has established big camps for themselves including convenient stores. But schools and hospitals that had to be repaired have been neglected.
Further, after a year following the end of hostilities, a very large number of combatants are still kept in prison or in high security camps. There are reports that these prisoners are subjected to assault and torture.
We appeal to the Government of Canada and the international community to show leadership and initiate action to:
(1) Investigate the genocide that took place during the last days of the war;
(2) Enable all those who are detained in the camps to return to their homes; and
(3) Bring about the release all the political prisoners unconditionally with immediate effect.
We urge the UN and the international NGOs to help settle the displaced civilians in their respective areas.
South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy (SANSAD)
# 435-552A Clark Road, Coquitlam, BC; sansad@sansad.org
One year ago the civil war in Sri Lanka, which began in 1975, came to a tragic end when over 20,000 innocent civilians were massacred by the Sri Lankan army on the pretext of liberating them from Liberation Tigers of Thamil Eelam (LTTE). The United Nations and the international community turned a deaf ear to the plea of these civilians. The UN failed to exercise its responsibility to protect civilians. The Commonwealth countries did nothing to stop the killings, either, though Sri Lanka is a member of the Commonwealth nations. Though the UN estimated that there are over 7000 killed, 13000 wounded and over 300,000 displaced, sources from Northern Sri Lanka indicate that the figures could be much higher.
The Sri Lankan government never permitted any international organization such as International Red Cross, Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch to visit the war-ravaged areas or the camps set up by the government. These camps are without adequate sanitation, drinking water, and medical facilities. They do not have any schools.
A year has passed since the war ended. But the civilians who were displaced are still languishing inside the heavily fortified camps. The latest information points out that the houses owned by the civilians have been all damaged and whatever remained have been looted with the full knowledge of the Sri Lankan security forces. The army has established big camps for themselves including convenient stores. But schools and hospitals that had to be repaired have been neglected.
Further, after a year following the end of hostilities, a very large number of combatants are still kept in prison or in high security camps. There are reports that these prisoners are subjected to assault and torture.
We appeal to the Government of Canada and the international community to show leadership and initiate action to:
(1) Investigate the genocide that took place during the last days of the war;
(2) Enable all those who are detained in the camps to return to their homes; and
(3) Bring about the release all the political prisoners unconditionally with immediate effect.
We urge the UN and the international NGOs to help settle the displaced civilians in their respective areas.
South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy (SANSAD)
# 435-552A Clark Road, Coquitlam, BC; sansad@sansad.
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