Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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  The lawyer representing detained Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar challenged allegations that his client sought to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during proceedings before the Jaffna Magistrate's Court this week, arguing that the material cited by police contains no reference to the organisation or its leadership. Sangeethsan, better known by his stage name…

Failure of the UN system - BTF

Commenting on resolution 22/L1 British Tamils Forum (BTF) said the "United Nations have failed a people on its own mandate of human rights," adding, "a clear political divide is apparent on the resolution passed today after being watered down to gain support of some voting member States."

See here for full statement.

Canadian foreign minister Baird welcomes resolution

The Canadian Foreign Affairs minister, John Baird, welcomed the UNHRC's adoption of resolution 22/L1 on Thursday. 

In a statement, Baird said:

Sri Lanka fumes over Indian support for resolution

In light of India voting in favour of a resolution on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC and increasing anti-Sri Lanka sentiment in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lankan government ministers, political parties and even media have reacted furiously.

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa reportedly expresseddeep disappointment with India”, saying the resolution employed “double standards” over “unsubstantiated allegations”.

He went on to add, "would India address its accountability issues to the satisfaction of Western powers or the UN"?

Rajapaksa has also called for all Sri Lankans to refrain from travelling to Tamil Nadu, “until the situation improves”.


Meanwhile the Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka posted an article entitled “India bowed down to American dictates”, adding that,

“India became a lame duck under the domineering fist of Americans”.

The Daily Mirror carried a lead banner that read “India joins USA to beat SL”.

In an editorial headed “Geneva: A triumph for hypocrisy”, the Island slammed India writing,

Ironically, it fully backed Sri Lanka’s war on terror during which crimes against civilians are alleged to have occurred. It was fully au fait with the situation in the Vanni—it had its personnel on non-military duty in the operational areas—and if there had been excesses on the part of the Sri Lankan military it should have made a direct intervention to stop the war at that juncture.”

UNHRC session on SL resolution begins

Published 10:36am Geneva time.

 

The final text of the draft resolution brought on Sri Lanka - Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka' - tabled at UNHRC session.

 

Follow @TamilGuardian Twitter for live commentary and images of final draft texted tables by the United States.

UNHRC adopts draft resolution 22/L1 on Sri Lanka

Published 10:59 Geneva

In a vote that took place today in Geneva, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a draft resolution (22/L1) on Sri Lanka entitled - 'Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka'.

Twenty-five member states voted in favour of the resolution, whilst 13 votes against and 8 member states abstained. Gabon's vote did not register on the UNHRC's live voting screen.

The thirteen against: Congo, Ecuador, Indonesia, Kuwait, Maldives, Mauritania, Pakistan, Phillippines, Qatar, Thailand, Uganda, UAE, Venezuela.

UNHRC resolution a 'missed opportunity' - CTC

The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC), called the UN Human Rights Council latest resolution on Sri Lanka 22/1 a 'missed opportunity' but that the 'adoption of another resolution this year signifies the Council’s engagement and commitment to follow through Resolution 19/2.'

In a statement released immediately after the Council voted, CTC said:

UNHRC resolution 22/1: 25 yes, 13 no, 8 abstain

 

Confirmation of final vote details on the adoption of resolution 22/1 by the UN Human Rights Council on Sri Lanka:

25 member states voted YES: Argentina, Austria, Benin, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Italy, Libya, Montenegro, Peru, Poland, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Sierra Leone, Spain, Switzerland, USA.

13 member states voted NO: Congo, Ecuador, Indonesia, Kuwait, Maldives, Mauritania, Pakistan, Phillippines, Qatar, Thailand, Uganda, UAE, Venezuela.

US calls for action on reconciliation and accountability

The US Secretary of State John Kerry has called on Sri Lanka to take “meaningful action” on longstanding issues such as reconciliation and accountability.

See full statement below.

Last ditch efforts...

A Discussion and Conclusions session regarding the adoption of a tabled draft resolution (22/L1) on Sri Lanka entitled ‘Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka’, ended with successful adoption of the draft resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council session.
See our Twitter feed here our live updates from Geneva.

Advocating the Use of the G word - Genocide' - TAG

Published by TAG on 21st March. See here.

In the run up to today’s HRC vote on Sri Lanka, there has been some considerable debate over how the demands of justice are to be met, and the use of the word genocide. The latter debate was sparked by the DMK’s withdrawal from the Indian central government, in a protest against the government’s position with respect to the US sponsored resolution before the HRC. The DMK demands were twofold, India should work to strengthen the resolution, not weaken it, and the word genocide should be used in the resolution.
 
In New Delhi last month TAG pushed for India to strengthen the resolution, to call for an International Independent Investigation, and one taken in the context of 60 years of persecution. With regards use of the word “genocide”, given our name, there can be little doubt over where we at Tamils Against Genocide stand.