TamilNet reported on Wednesday a press conference of Canadian Academics for Tamil Rights in Toronto.
The academics stressed recognition of the self-determination of Tamils as the basis for any solution to the crisis in the island of Sri Lanka, and said that the proscription of the LTTE had affected peace initiatives and Canada was a party to be blamed.
‘As an immediate remedy to the grave situation at the moment, the IC and UN should take food and medicine directly to Vanni and if not possible they should pressure the US to do it.
‘It may look strange, but it is the only option if anyone wants to save the lives of the people in Vanni,’ was the opinion urgently expressed in the press conference.
The press conference at Hotel Marriot, attended by local, national and international media, followed a statement sent to the Prime Minister of Canada by the academic forum last week, signed by 125 academic professionals of the various universities and institutions of Canada and by prominent academic personalities.
The root cause of the problem is the inability or unwillingness of the Sinhala Buddhist state to transform or restructure itself to accommodate Tamil aspirations, the speakers of the conference pointed out.
The crisis is more than 60 years old. For more than 30 years the Tamils were waging a non-violent struggle. Unfortunately, the media today concentrates only on the last 30 years, was a concern of the conference speakers.
‘Our aim in issuing this statement was to call on the Canadian Government to take a stand on the situation in Sri Lanka,’ said Aparna Sundar, Professor of Political Science, Ryerson University, welcoming the press.
Talking on the initiative of the Canadian academics, ‘The largest Tamil diaspora outside of Sri Lanka is in Canada,’ said Professor Aiken, Professor of Law at Queen’s University and a member of the Group, adding that ‘the fact that so many Canadian Tamils are continuing to lose familymembers and friends in the ongoing crisis is what prompted us as concerned Canadian academics to stand in solidarity with them.’
Another member of the group, Ryerson University Sociology Professor Alan Sears said: ‘We have a responsibility to act in the face of the humanitarian and human rights catastrophe confronting the Tamil population of Sri Lanka.
‘The level of mobilisations among Tamils in Toronto has been truly impressive, and they are asking for our solidarity so they do not feel they are facing this crisis alone.’
Sharryn Aiken, Professor of Law, Queens University, in her comments said: ‘While there is no doubt that the Tigers must change their stripes, Canada’s proscription of the LTTE in concert with the EU, the United States and a number of other countries has had the effect of further marginalising moderate voices within the Tamil militant movement and destroying the prospects for a political solution.’
Professors Alan Sears, Sharryn Aiken, Aparna Sundar, Glynis George (Sociology and Anthropology, University of Windsor) R.Cheran (Sociology and Anthropology, University of Windsor) Malcolm Blincow (Anthropology, York University) and Judy Rebic (Gindin Chair in Social Justice and Democracy, Ryerson University), participated the conference.
TamilNet also reported on Wednesday on the statement by Ambassador Susan E Rice, US Permanent Representative, on the Situation in Sri Lanka, in Security Council Consultations, made on April 30.
‘Thank you, Mr. President. Under-Secretary-General Holmes, let me thank you for your briefing today—and for your efforts to address the mounting humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka.
‘The United States is deeply concerned by the situation in Sri Lanka, where fighting between government forces and the Tamil Tigers has led to a growing and grave humanitarian crisis that has left innocent civilians pinned down and desperate.
‘We are very concerned by the serious allegations against both parties of violations of international humanitarian law.
‘Despite the Government of Sri Lanka’s promise to suspend combat operations, multiple accounts indicate that shelling into the conflict zone continues.
‘We have also received reports of alarming numbers of civilian casualties.
‘On April 28, limited quantities of food were delivered to the conflict zone — the first such delivery in more than three weeks.
‘We welcome the arrival of this sorely needed aid, but we are deeply concerned that critical medicines were not able to reach the conflict area as well.
‘We share Under-Secretary-General Holmes’ disappointment that the Government of Sri Lanka has not yet allowed a UN humanitarian team into the conflict zone to facilitate relief operations and the safe evacuation of civilians.
‘We urge the Sri Lankan government to reconsider.
‘This Council must also grapple with the sheer scope of the problem.
‘Latest reports indicate that more than 170,000 displaced persons have registered in government-controlled camps.
‘The Government of Sri Lanka must allow the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross access to all sites where newly arrived displaced persons are being registered or being provided shelter.
‘We welcome the news that some 400 displaced persons returned to their homes on April 29, and we hope that the government will keep its commitment and continue the resettlement process.
‘The April 29 visit by Ministers Miliband and Kouchner demonstrates the international community’s deep concern with this unfolding humanitarian crisis.
‘We are disappointed that Swedish Foreign Minister Bildt was not able to travel with them and find it hard to understand why the Government of Sri Lanka would turn him away.
‘Both sides have responsibilities to meet. And in the face of this worsening crisis, all of us in this chamber have responsibilities too.’
The UN Ambassador also repeated the line of governments hostile to the Tamils, such as Britain, that the Tamil Tigers used civilians as human shields.
What she said, and what TamilNet reports was:
‘Very credible reports also indicate that the Tamil Tigers are using civilians as human shields — and have, in some cases, shot at civilians trying to leave the conflict area.
‘I hope we can all agree that this is utterly unacceptable.
‘Both the Government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers must abide by their commitments to prevent further loss of civilian life.
‘We renew our call to the Tigers to lay down their arms and allow civilians to depart, and we call on all parties to abide by international humanitarian law.’
The Tamil Tigers have, of course, offered a unilateral cease-fire, but the Rajapakse government has pressed on with its genocide.