In a statement released today, the British Tamils Forum (BTF), outlined the need of the international community to work with the Tamil People in the North-East to safeguard their human, political and cultural rights.
Commenting on the resolve of the Tamil people the statement read,
“The Tamil people’s overwhelming support for Tamil rule in the election is made all the more remarkable by the widespread violence, intimidation and misinformation they faced in the run-up to and on the day of the election. The fact that Sri Lanka’s ruling alliance received such a drubbing in the election – despite the threats and bribes it offered the Tamil people – is testament to the courage and overwhelming conviction of the Tamil people. Furthermore, the shocking reports of intimidation during this election – often in full view of election monitors and the media – should serve as a reminder to the global Tamil community that it is their duty to speak up and tell the world about the injustices and persecution faced by their kin in the island of Sri Lanka.”
“Given the increasingly perilous position of the Tamil people in Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka, it is more important than ever that the international community works with the Tamil people, and the Tamil- mandated TNA, to safeguard their human, political and cultural rights – including their right to self- determination – and to protect them from the genocide perpetrated by the Sri Lankan state. British Tamils Forum stands shoulder to shoulder with any individual or organisation that works towards these aims.”
See full statement here.
The Canadian Tamil Congress in a statement released yesterday, also reiterated the undeniable will of the people expressed in the elections stating,
“Despite the intimidation by the Sri Lankan government through its army, police, military intelligence and paramilitary groups, the TNA has scored a resounding victory. The Tamils of Northern Province have sent a clear message to the Sri Lankan government, and the international community, that they strongly feel their democratic right to be heard must be heeded in any future actions concerning them.”
“We at CTC call upon the Sri Lankan government to recognize the wishes of the Tamil people through the result of this election and immediately implement the 13th amendment in full. It is also very clear from the TNA election manifesto, the government of Sri Lanka must go far beyond the 13th amendment to satisfy the Tamil people. We therefore call upon the international community, particularly India, to put all their influence in helping to implement the legitimate demands of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.”
See full statement here.
Speaking to the Island, the spokesperson for Global Tamil Forum, Suren Surendiran, said,
"Under occupying military intimidation and violence the defiant Tamil people of North have shown, in unprecedented record numbers, their true aspirations through the ballot box."
"President Rajapaksa and his government, including some of his Tamil collaborators, must at least now understand that mere infrastructure development and reconstruction is not what our people want."
"Our people want a political solution that will allow them to be self-governing.If the President and his brothers believe that their manifesto is what the southerners have voted for, it is the TNA’s manifesto, that the northerners have voted for too, which incidentally calls for an international independent investigation into the alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed against their loved ones at the end of the war, four years ago."