CHANNEL 4 AND HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE
Sign in
  • BLOG
  • Editor's Picks
  • |
  • Technology
  • |
  • Entrepreneurship
  • |
  • Business
  • |
  • Finance
  • |
  • Career
  • |
  • New India
  • |
  • Entertainment
  • |
  • Others

    • editricon CHANNEL 4 AND HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE
    Yet again the video clippings on the alleged attrocities perpetrated by Srilankan army on hapless civilian victims on the final stages of war which decisively ensured a military victory for Sri Lankan Armed forces against a ruthless force- LTTE have aroused passions all around Tamil supporters worldwide. On previous occasions also, the gory killings were the matter of intense debate as to whether the Srilankan Officials including the political leadership should be tried for war crimes- a demand vehemently espoused by Displaced tamil diaspora who are yet to reconcile to the military defeat of LTTE and annihilation of Velupillai Prabakaran. This time around US , UK, France and some European nations are contemplating in briging forward a motion in the Geneva convention censuring Srilanka. Tamil parties in India want India to support the motion little forgetting that the human rights record of these comity of nations is also dismal be it in Iraq, Afpak and in Gautemala prisons. It is because they perceive Chinese to be influential in the Indian Ocean through covert support to Sri lankan military forces they have brought forward this motion to emabarass Rajapakse Government. Rajapakse and his advisors maintain that there were minimal civilian casualties and the incidents have been blown out of proportion to defame their elected government. Elsewhere Buddhist monks have gone on strike before US consulates demanding the motion be not carried through.

    After the resounding victory of Ealam War, Sri Lankan administration has taken only token steps to rehabilitate the displaced tamils who are still living in temporary camps and the erstwhile tamil province is still occupied by Army in the name of clearing land mines. India which was a tacit supporter of the war on terror as Sri Lanka called it, failed in its duty to protect innocent civilians but it is should also be borne in mind that in an armed conflict collateral damage is not avoidable. It is also alleged that LTTE cadres used human shields even while retreating from Kilinochi. The fierce battle then knew no humanitarian values because it is said all is fair in love and war.

    The much touted Lessons learnt and national reconciliation mission has revealed that Srilankan administration has hardly learnt any lessons from the armed conflict lasting for decades crippling the island nation's economy. They have failed to win the confidence of those living the Tamil province not withstandng the fact that Ceylonese workers congress- a party of Tamils of indian origin are part of the UNP Government. India's record in erasing the suspicision that she took part in annihilation of tamil lives in retaliation for the civil war by a tacit approval, supply of arms and ammunition. It is true that India has always been for democratic devolution of powers to minority Tamils and a settlement within the constitutional framework of Sri Lanka, they could have bargained better for provision of legal entitlements to the Tamil minority. They should have got a soveriegn guarantee from the island government before extending support to end terror.

    The scenes in the channel IV are moving and would probably surcharge Tamil nationalsim. Sri Lankan Government should order for an impartial independent enquiry in to alleged excesses and take steps to win the confidence of the Tamil people if their war was indeed against terrorism and terrorists and not against them. Rajapakse should take this small step, offer solace to victims and share their grief and fulfill his promises on devolution of powers.
    start_blog_img