Eezham Tamils in Canada evolve common position on Tamil activism

[Tamilnet, Friday, 18 April 2014, 21:31 GMT] In a sharp response to a Move As interpreted War On Sri Lanka's Tamil diaspora, From More than 80 Tamil organizations a ross !anada have !omm"nit# !ome together in an initiative to reate a onsens"s o"tlining Their !olle tive $osition and g"iding prin iples On Tamil str"ggle% entri &ngagement' The Tamil Assem(l# re)e ted the pros ription o* +, Tamil diaspora organizations along -ith ./. individ"als (# the 0overnment o* Sri Lanka and said1 The ongoing geno ide o* the Tamil nation is aided and a(etted (# instit"tions, governments, and (odies o"tside the p"rvie- o* the Sri Lankan state str" t"re , making them ompli it in the ongoing geno ide' These e2ternal a tors have a responsi(ilit# to halt the ongoing geno ide o* the Tamil nation and g"arantee the olle tive rights o* the Tamils, the do "ment said' The General Assembly or ani!ers said that the "onsens#s do"#ment, prepared thro# h a $i%e&months pro"ess, 'as re"ei%ed as a timely mo%e 'hen it 'as presented to all the parti"ipatin rassroots, "omm#nity and politi"al or anisations in (anada at the "on$l#en"e e%ent held in the Toronto (ity )all (o#n"il (hamber on *#nday April 13+

As the do"#ment 'ill ser%e also the re$eren"e do"#ment ,n the rele%ent topi"s and o$ -mportan"e to Members o$ Federal, pro%in"ial and M#ni"ipal .oliti"s ,n the (ommon .osition o$ the /e!ham Tamils in (anada, they $#rther said+ The "#rrent *ri 0an1an (onstit#tion, espe"ially the 2th Amendment, pre%ents the representati%es o$ the Tamil 3ation From domi"iled in the -sland $reely arti"#latin the politi"al aspirations o$ the /elam Tamils, the do"#ment said+ 4Any sol#tion $or the /elam Tamils "an not 5#st be "on$ined to the e6istin parameters o$ the *ri 0an1an (onstit#tion and m#st be 7ased ,n the re"o nition o$ /elam Tamils As a 3ation+4

4Any sol#tion $or the /elam Tamil 3ation 'ill 5#st in"orporate a 5#st and ri ht$#lly ,n the 8#estion o$ the M#slim (omm#nity and ,T)/9 /8:-TA70/ resol#tion (omm#nities in the Tamil )omeland,4 the do"#ment said $#rther+ /6tensi%e Fi%e "ons#ltations 'ere #nderta1en $or months leadin #p to the General Assembly to arri%e at "onsens#s $or the points, the ,r anisers said+ These 'ere "ons#ltations 'ith a ;ide *pe"tr#m o$ so"ial, (#lt#ral and (omm#nity 7ased or ani!ations and Their politi"al representati%es+ ,n"e the messa e 'as dra$ted (ommon, the General Assembly "on%ened to $ormally <is"#ss and rati$y the points $or "onsens#s+ 4(olle"ti%e Tamil or ani!ations en a ed in this pro"ess to $#rther stren then the %oi"e o$ the Tamil (omm#nity in (anada and 7#ild a (ommon Gro#nd (olle"ti%e %oi"e $or "omm#ni"atin this to interested parties 'ho see1 /n a ement 'ith the "omm#nity+ They $#rther "ommitted to a"ti%ely "omm#ni"ate, disseminate and .romote the "onsens#s at this General Assembly As the o$$i"ial .ea1 .osition o$ the Tamil (omm#nity in (anada, 4"ommented .ro$essor *ri 9an5an, the "hairperson $or the 3ational (o#n"il o$ (anadian Tamils =3((T>+ The Assembly also sa' the parti"ipation o$ ele"ted o$$i"ials $rom all le%els o$ o%ernment 'ho "ame to obser%e the pro"eedin s and lend their s#pport to /e!ham Tamils in (anada+

The Assembly 'as #nanimo#s in their adoption o$ all 34 points $or "onsens#s+ The points are di%ided into se"tions dis"#ssin ? histori"al "onte6t, international "omm#nity responsibility, (anadian Go%ernment responsibility, the role o$ the Tamil diaspora, and the e$$e"ts o$ pros"ribin Tamil "omm#nity a"ti%ism+ 9e"ent and histori"al 9esol#tions "ompilin they 'ere dra$ted, motions and ,T)/9 do"#ments the Tamil (omm#nity in (anada has parti"ipated in be$ore+

or ani!ers The General Assembly 'ill be in To#"h 'ith the .arti"ipant or ani!ations and ,bser%ers to ;or1 "ooperati%ely to ether in Ad%an"in the interests o$ the Tamil (omm#nity in (anada, *ri 9an5an said pro$essor+ The "onsens#s do"#ment is to be o$$i"ially released in the "omin ;ee1 in the F#t#re :sed to the p#bli" and $or the p#rposes o$ stren thenin the politi"al and (omm#nity interests o$ /e!ham Tamils in Their )omeland, in

(anada and else'here+

7elo' are the 34 points adopted as the o$$i"ial position o$ the Tamil (omm#nity in (anada at the Tamil (omm#nity General Assembly: Historical Context: 1.The Eelam Tamils are a nation in the island called Ceylon since the times of the earliest known documentary and archaeological evidences, culminating in having their historically and geographically defined homeland, distinct language, culture and collective consciousness. 2.They temporarily lost their sovereignty to Portuguese (1 ! " colonial con#uest, followed $y the %utch (1& &" and the 'ritish (1(1(" and did not regain it at the end of the European colonialism in 1)*(. +.They have a continued history of democratically struggling to share their sovereignty with the ,inhala nation for +! years since the independence of Ceylon, the failure of which culminated in the historic -addukkodai .esolution of 1)/&, which was endorsed $y a mandate of the Eelam Tamil nation in the 1)// parliamentary general elections. *.The a$0ect failure of the non1violent and peaceful democratic struggle (1)*(11)(+", due to state oppression and state1aided pogroms against unarmed Tamil civilians, led to another +! years of militant struggle which culminated in Eelam Tamils earning their sovereignty in a de facto state that was tacitly recogni2ed in an internationally1 recogni2ed Peace 3ccord in 2!!2. .The Tamil political $ody identified $y the de facto state winning the elections in 2!!* shows the endorsement of Eelam Tamils to the de facto state that came into $eing $y earned sovereignty. &.Tipping the $alance against the de facto state which led to war crimes and on1going genocide is now indirectly acknowledged $y the 456s internal review panel report (Petrie .eport" and 5orway6s evaluation report of the peace process. /.4nder the guise of a 7post1conflict reconciliation7 charade, ,ri 8anka is continuing a systematic and accelerated process of genocide in the militarily occupied Tamil homeland in the 5orth and East of the island. (.9omen and children are the most vulnera$le in the conte:t of military occupation and an ongoing genocide. %ocumented evidence reveals widespread and systematic rape of Tamil women as part of the collective genocidal policy of the ,ri 8ankan state. ).The current ground realities in the Tamil homeland, include heavy militari2ation, accelerated ,tate1aided ,inhala coloni2ation, and structural a$use of Eelam Tamils, all targeted to destroy the identity of the Tamil nation and the territorial contiguity of the Tamil homeland. 1!.The current ,ri 8ankan constitution, especially the &th amendment, prevents the representatives of the Tamil nation domiciled in the island from freely articulating the political aspirations of the Eelam Tamils.

11.3ny 0ust solution for the Eelam Tamils cannot $e confined to the e:isting parameters of the ,ri 8ankan constitution and must $e $ased on the recognition of Eelam Tamils as a nation. 12.3ny 0ust solution for the Eelam Tamil 5ation will incorporate a 0ust and rightfully ;n the <uestion of the =uslim Community and Communities ;T>E. E<4?T3'8E resolution in the Tamil >omeland. .esponsi$ility of the ?nternational Community to @uarantee Eelam Tamils to AusticeB 1+.Collowing the 4nited 5ations ?nternal .eview, the ,ecretary @eneral of the 4nited 5ations accepted the 4nited 5ation6s failure to protect the Tamil people in the island. 1*.The international community must recogni2e and guarantee the collective rights of the Tamil nation. ,uch a guarantee must $e considered only on the acknowledgement of the Eelam Tamils as a nation, with their distinct territoriality in the 5orth and East of the island. 1 .There needs to $e an immediate and complete removal of the ,ri 8ankan military and security forces from the Tamil homeland, including the disarming of the paramilitaries. 1&.The 4nited 5ations has the responsi$ility of maintaining a local presence in assisting the Tamils of the 5orth and East to sustain their livelihood in the face of genocide. The removal of impartial international aid organi2ations from the 5orth and East makes it easier for the ,ri 8ankan military to forci$ly ac#uire Tamil1owned lands. 1/.3ny internal mechanism $y the ,ri 8ankan state like the 8essons 8earnt and .econciliation Commission to address the systemic in0ustices meted out to the Tamils is fundamentally flawed, and only an independent international investigation into the charges of genocide and crimes against humanity, as espoused in the 2!1!D2!1+ Permanent People6s Tri$unal6s findings, can $ring 0ustice to the victims. 1(.%espite efforts to address issues of truth, accounta$ility and 0ustice in ,ri 8anka, the international community has not yet e:pressed a political will to pursue an international investigation in the spirit of finding a solution to the national #uestion of Eelam Tamils. 8imiting the scope of any potential in#uiry to 0ust war crimes could result only in a regime change, with investigations not having the authority to hold all those culpa$le to account. 3n ?nvestigation into the =ost of genocide would $e likely to create conducive environment for the @enuine Austice and 3ccounta$ility. The Permanent People6s Tri$unal has concluded that ,ri 8anka is @uilty of @enocide .easons for the followingB (A) Killing members of the group, which includes massacres, indiscriminate shelling, the strategy of herding civilians into so called "No Fire Zones" for the purpose of massive illings, targeted assassinations of outspo en !elam "amil civil leaders who were capable of articulating the #ri $an an genocide pro%ect to the outside world& (') (ausing #erious )ental or bodily harm to )embers of the *roup, including Acts of Agaricus, inhumane or degrading treatment, including se+ual ,iolence rape, interrogations combined with beatings, "hreats of death, and harm -ealth damages or in%ury that causes disfigurement or& (() .eliberately inflicting /n the *roup $ife calculated to bring about conditions of 0ts 1hysical destruction in 2hole or in 1art,

including the ,ictims of e+pulsions from From "heir -omes, sei3ures of private $ands, .eclaring ,ast Areas As )ilitary -igh #ecurity Zone (-#Z) to facilitate the )ilitary A(450#0"0/N of "amil land& Further, the "ribunal considered related to evidence6 (.) 0mposing measures intended to prevent births 2ithin the *roup including forced sterili3ation and coerced contraception 2omen of "amil !elam& Further investigation is re7uired on the e+tent of this practice in other regions before a determination is made on whether these could be considered genocidal acts& 1).There is an immediate need for an internationally supported transitional administration to halt the ongoing genocide of Eelam Tamils. 2!.The provincial councils are not a solution to the political aspirations of Tamils. The recent provincial council elections displayed the re0ection from the Tamil people to $e ruled $y the Colom$o regime. The Tamil people voted for the de1militari2ation of the 5orth and East, the preservation of the territorial contiguity of the Tamil homeland, the right to remem$er those who sacrificed their lives in the Tamil li$eration struggle, and a political solution not compromising their inaliena$le right to self1determination. Curther, ,ri 8anka is a unitary state structureE the e:ecutive powers are with the President. The President, through their appointed @overnor can revoke any decisions or powers of the provincial council. 21.To provide the political space for Eelam Tamils to e:press their political aspirations, an internationally monitored referendum should $e conducted among Eelam Tamils of 5orth and East descent in the island of ,ri 8anka, in the diaspora and among the refugees in ?ndia and elsewhere, to arrive at a 0ust political solution. 22.3 referendum has $een used historically to determine the political will of many nations. The Tamils in the homeland cannot articulate their real political aspirations without the &th amendment of the ,ri 8ankan constitution $eing repealed. The Tamil diaspora and refugees in Tamil 5adu, who are also part of the Tamil nation, is the only people who can advance the claim for a referendum without fear of persecution. 4ntil the ,ri 8ankan government repeals the &th amendment Eelam Tamils under occupation cannot freely e:press their political aspirations. 3 referendum provides the Tamil 5ation with a mechanism for them to e:ercise their inaliena$le right to choose their own political destiny. 2+.The ongoing genocide of the Tamil nation is aided and a$etted $y institutions, governments, and $odies outside the purview of the ,ri 8ankan state structure, making them complicit in the ongoing genocide. These e:ternal 3ctors have a responsi$ility to halt the ongoing genocide of the Tamil 5ation and Collective @uarantee the rights of the Tamils. The responsi$ility of the Tamil diasporaB 2*.To $e the political voice for Tamils in the homeland who are denied the fundamental right to freely articulate their political aspirations due to the &th amendment and the a$sence of a safe political space. 2 .To continue assisting Tamils in the homeland sustain their e:istence in the face of genocide. Their diaspora continues through the non1governmental organi2ations

-3.?;4, @rassroots 3ssistance, charities, Temples, -illage associations and school associations. 3cknowledging Efforts made $y the Canadian @overnment towards the Truth, 3ccounta$ility and Austice in ,ri 8anka, the Tamil Community urges the Canadian @overnment to pursue the following as productive ne:t stepsB 2&.3cknowledge that any internal mechanism $y the ,ri 8ankan state to address the systemic in0ustices meted out to the Tamils is fundamentally flawed. 2/.3ctively call for the esta$lishment of an independent, international, and impartial investigation into the charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes to ensure truth, accounta$ility and 0ustice in ,ri 8anka. 2(.Pursue alternative strategies such as diplomatic and economic sanctions as well as travel restrictions for @overnment of ,ri 8anka officials. 2).3cknowledge that only a political solution $ased on the recognition of the Tamil people as a nation with the right to self1determination can result in 0ustice and accounta$ility. +!.,upport the call from the Tamil community for a transitional administration and an internationally monitored referendum on the national #uestion of Eelam Tamils. +1.3cknowledge that despite the armed conflict ending in 2!!), the threat of persecution remains a reality for Tamils in the island. This should $e heavily weighted in claimants6 case regarding .efugee status and political asylum proceedings. Tamil Community6s E:pectations Crom The Canadian municipalities and provincesB
+2.Continue To further strengthen the support to the Cooperative .elationship $etween

Canadian municipalities and provinces across Canada in 3reas of social structures for the Tamil Community, Cultural and Economic %evelopment. The effects of proscri$ing Tamil Community activismB ++.The Tamil community re0ects the proscription of 1& Tamil diaspora organi2ations along with *2* individuals $y the @overnment of ,ri 8anka. The list of organi2ations includes the 5ational Council of Canadian Tamils, Tamil Fouth ;rgani2ation, the Transnational @overnment of Tamil Eelam and the Canadian Tamil Congress. This serves as a preventative measure for the Tamil diaspora to continue campaigning for the right to self1determination of the Tamil nation. This reactionary measure adopted $y the @overnment of ,ri 8anka reflects its lack of commitment towards genuine truth, accounta$ility and 0ustice. +*.The proscription of Tamil diaspora organi2ations and individuals $y the ,ri 8ankan government is an attempt to weaken the campaign for a 0ust political solution for Eelam Tamils. This decision draws its lineage from the proscription of the 8i$eration Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which has had conse#uential effects on the lives of Tamil Canadians in their social, cultural and political spheres. The discourse of terrorism continues to $e used to deny, suppress and intimidate Tamil Canadians against confidently e:ercising their constitutional rights. Curther, it prevents human rights campaigners from $uilding

international support to stop the genocide of the Eelam Tamil nation.