Amphitheatre at Parramatta Town Hall
2.00pm - Multi-Faith Prayers for Peace
Fr Pat Mullins, priest at Mt Druitt; Exodus Choir
2.30pm - Rally - Dr Sue Wareham, Medical Association for Prevention of War
Sally McManus, Australian Services Union
Sponsored by NSW Ecumenical Council
Organised by Sydney Peace & Justice Coalition
Contact: Bruce Childs 0412 803 457; Fr Claude Mostowik 0411 450 953; Peter Murphy 0418 312 301
No more Australian troops to Afghanistan!
Peace through Dialogue!
Prime Minister Rudd is poised to send up to 5,000 more soldiers to fight in Afghanistan. The Obama Administration is delaying a formal request while public opinion is being gauged in Australia. Over 50 per cent of Australians now oppose the war in Afghanistan. The government needs to answer many questions before possibly increasing its military role there.
The war in Afghanistan is part of a much larger region greatly destablised by the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the subsequent horrific war there. It is also destablised by the convulsion of the Government of Pakistan, also due largely to the huge mistakes of the Bush administration. China, Russia, Iran and India, as well as Pakistan, are neighbours of Afghanistan. All of them, with different interests, will try to influence events in Afghanistan. It appears that the Obama administration is now willing to talk to them about Afghanistan.
Questions that must be answered:
1. If an increase of Australian forces in Oruzgan Province is to replace the Dutch forces withdrawing in 2010, shouldn’t the Prime Minister tell us why the Dutch troops are going, before replacing them?
2. If European members of NATO are unwilling to increase the number of combat troops in Afghanistan, why should Australia do so?
3. Isn’t it true that the Karzai government is negotiating with parts of the Taliban, as is the UK and UN, because they recognize that the war is not working and that a political solution is required?
4. Since neither the British Army nor the Soviet Army could prevail in Afghanistan, shouldn’t the Prime Minister recognize that the US and Australian forces cannot prevail in this military conflict either? Isn’t it more responsible to refuse to go in deeper, to withdraw military forces and promote a political solution?
5. Isn’t the war in Afghanistan degrading Australia’s credibility as a genuine part of the international community, upholding international law, because Australian soldiers are killing civilians including women and children, only to support the general concept of the US Alliance?
6. Since the Bush gang - and the incoming Obama administration - could not define a credible, justifiable strategy for the Afghanistan War, how can Australia justify it? It is no longer credible to claim that the war is to capture Osama bin Laden because of the terror attacks in the USA way back on Sept 11, 2001.
7. While the Taliban is a reactionary political movement which commits atrocities against civilians, isn’t the US aerial bombing – particularly of wedding and funeral processions – killing even more civilians?
8. Isn’t it true that the Taliban are thriving because European Christian troops are taking control of their country? Doesn’t the high civilian casualties only make the Taliban stronger, and destablise Pakistan and India?
9. Isn’t it accurate to see the Afghan government of President Hamid Karzai as a coalition of warlords who also engage in repression, discriminate against women, and are now the world leaders in heroin exports?
10. Wasn’t the Howard policy in Afghanistan part of his subservience to the George W Bush version of US interests? Shouldn’t Australia have an independent approach to foreign policy, even within the US Alliance, especially in the Afghanistan War where Australian soldiers are being killed and wounded?
11. Won’t the outcome in Afghanistan be similar to Viet Nam - another cohort of young Australian men and women with their lives brutalized for nothing, and brutalised communities who call Oruzgan Province ‘home’?
12. Isn’t Australia’s Afghanistan War commitment now costing $575 million per year? Wouldn’t this be better spent on essential public services, the uplift of Aboriginal communities, and on a peaceful Afghanistan?
Sydney Peace & Justice Coalition
Sponsored by: UnionsNSW, Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union NSW, Aust Manufacturing Workers Union NSW, NSW Teachers Fed, Australian Services Union, Pax Christi, MSC - Peace & Justice, Quakers Peace & Justice, Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom, People for Nuclear Disarmament NSW, Progressive Labour Party, Labor for Refugees, Communist Party of Australia (Marxist Leninist), Evatt Foundation, SEARCH Foundation.
Palm Sunday rally for peace April 5 2009
www.search.org.au
Level 3, 110 Kippax St, Surry Hills, 2010
Ph: 02 9211 4164 Fax: 02 9211 1407
ABN 63 050 096 976
Promoting Democracy, Social Justice and Environmental Sustainability
Friday, April 3, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Poll finds 51% oppose role in Afghanistan
Tony Wright
The Age, March 30, 2009
AUSTRALIA'S involvement in the war in Afghanistan is increasingly unpopular, despite Prime Minister Kevin Rudd backing at the weekend a larger role for military trainers in the conflict.
The latest Age/Nielsen poll has found 51 per cent of voters oppose Australia's current involvement. Two-thirds of voters oppose any increase in the number of Australian troops in Afghanistan.
The findings follow Mr Rudd's enthusiastic response in the US to President Barack Obama's revamped strategy to try to win the war.
The strategy — an integrated approach of increased military effort, training of Afghan security forces and civil aid —was described by Mr Rudd as "absolutely right".
Although he insisted there had been no direct request from the US for more Australian forces during his visit to Washington, his support for the renewed American effort was interpreted as flagging the likelihood that Australia would increase its troop commitment.
Mr Rudd admitted during a TV interview in the US last week that the war in Afghanistan did not have broad voter support in Australia.
Today's poll confirms that opposition is increasing. In February 2006, an Age/Nielsen poll found that 48 per cent of Australians opposed the war, while 45 per cent supported it. Support has now slipped to 44 per cent, and opposition is the majority position. In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US, a Nielsen poll in October 2001 revealed 70 per cent support for the war on terrorism, though Afghanistan was not specifically named in the question.
The Age, March 30, 2009
AUSTRALIA'S involvement in the war in Afghanistan is increasingly unpopular, despite Prime Minister Kevin Rudd backing at the weekend a larger role for military trainers in the conflict.
The latest Age/Nielsen poll has found 51 per cent of voters oppose Australia's current involvement. Two-thirds of voters oppose any increase in the number of Australian troops in Afghanistan.
The findings follow Mr Rudd's enthusiastic response in the US to President Barack Obama's revamped strategy to try to win the war.
The strategy — an integrated approach of increased military effort, training of Afghan security forces and civil aid —was described by Mr Rudd as "absolutely right".
Although he insisted there had been no direct request from the US for more Australian forces during his visit to Washington, his support for the renewed American effort was interpreted as flagging the likelihood that Australia would increase its troop commitment.
Mr Rudd admitted during a TV interview in the US last week that the war in Afghanistan did not have broad voter support in Australia.
Today's poll confirms that opposition is increasing. In February 2006, an Age/Nielsen poll found that 48 per cent of Australians opposed the war, while 45 per cent supported it. Support has now slipped to 44 per cent, and opposition is the majority position. In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US, a Nielsen poll in October 2001 revealed 70 per cent support for the war on terrorism, though Afghanistan was not specifically named in the question.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Plight of Tamil Civilians: NO CHANGE
By Chandi Sinnathurai
Countercurrents.org March 20, 2009
There is no famine of view points or opinions on this Sri Lankan dirty war on Tamil civilians. Much ink has been spilt, and inch columns have been filled by various journalists and writers. So much have been spoken by politicians, protests by activists, government and non-Governmental agencies both local and foreign. But, one thing is constant: All of these have failed to change either the mind of the Sri Lankan state or the plight of the Tamil civilians in the North.
The international community on the other hand mooted the idea of an humanitarian intervention. The grand plan was to ‘evacuate’ the civilians (around 200,000) from the Tiger pocket (35 sq km) of land. In other words, to deplete the Tigers of the so-called ‘civilian shield.’ Nothing seem to have materialised.
Tamil Tigers have repeatedly called for a ceasefire in order to kick-start negotiations. The SL Government has categorically rejected that appeal. For both India and Sri Lanka they want the Tigers disarmed. That might be the position of the international community including the UN.
In the Vanni region, there are over 330,000 Internally Displaced People without proper medical care, shelter, food, water and other necessary items.
BBC News* reported yesterday (19/03/09):
‘In addition to the war-related casualties, the lack of food, water and medical supplies left a number of children dead from acute respiratory infection and diarrhoea in the final two weeks of February,’ says James Elder, the spokesperson for Unicef, the UN children's agency.
According to BBC, Annemarie Loof, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) head in Sri Lanka, is quoted to have said:
‘MSF doctors came across a mother who lived with her child inside a bunker for four months - another woman had lost her two children in the fighting, then her husband went missing after losing a leg and a hand in an artillery attack.’
The fundamental cause of civilian suffering, according to aid workers, is owing to ‘the denial of freedom of movement for people trapped…’ *MSF pointed out that, both parties need to prioritise civilian safety.
The sad fact is, the war is continuing, and daily helpless civilians are dying.
BBC News Article Civilian Misery in Northern Sri Lanka
Countercurrents.org March 20, 2009
There is no famine of view points or opinions on this Sri Lankan dirty war on Tamil civilians. Much ink has been spilt, and inch columns have been filled by various journalists and writers. So much have been spoken by politicians, protests by activists, government and non-Governmental agencies both local and foreign. But, one thing is constant: All of these have failed to change either the mind of the Sri Lankan state or the plight of the Tamil civilians in the North.
The international community on the other hand mooted the idea of an humanitarian intervention. The grand plan was to ‘evacuate’ the civilians (around 200,000) from the Tiger pocket (35 sq km) of land. In other words, to deplete the Tigers of the so-called ‘civilian shield.’ Nothing seem to have materialised.
Tamil Tigers have repeatedly called for a ceasefire in order to kick-start negotiations. The SL Government has categorically rejected that appeal. For both India and Sri Lanka they want the Tigers disarmed. That might be the position of the international community including the UN.
In the Vanni region, there are over 330,000 Internally Displaced People without proper medical care, shelter, food, water and other necessary items.
BBC News* reported yesterday (19/03/09):
‘In addition to the war-related casualties, the lack of food, water and medical supplies left a number of children dead from acute respiratory infection and diarrhoea in the final two weeks of February,’ says James Elder, the spokesperson for Unicef, the UN children's agency.
According to BBC, Annemarie Loof, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) head in Sri Lanka, is quoted to have said:
‘MSF doctors came across a mother who lived with her child inside a bunker for four months - another woman had lost her two children in the fighting, then her husband went missing after losing a leg and a hand in an artillery attack.’
The fundamental cause of civilian suffering, according to aid workers, is owing to ‘the denial of freedom of movement for people trapped…’ *MSF pointed out that, both parties need to prioritise civilian safety.
The sad fact is, the war is continuing, and daily helpless civilians are dying.
BBC News Article Civilian Misery in Northern Sri Lanka
Monday, February 23, 2009
Inaugural lecture with Pat Dodson Wednesday March 4 2009
Caritas Austraia's Project Compassion
Starts: 6:30pm, Wednesday March 4 2009
Where: St Benedicts Hall, The University of Notre Dame, Sydney - Corner Broadway and Abercrombie St, Broadway, Sydney
Who: Dr Patrick Dodson, Mr Jack de Groot CEO, Caritas Australia
The largest aid and development fundraiser in Australia, Caritas Australia’s 2009 Project Compassion is launching its inaugural lecture with Caritas Australia partner Dr Patrick Dodson of the Lingiari Foundation. Following last year’s landmark apology from the Australian PM, acclaimed Indigenous leader and justice advocate Dr Dodson, will provide a road map on where to now for reconciliation.
For more information contact Caritas or download a flyer. RSVPs essential, places strictly limited
Starts: 6:30pm, Wednesday March 4 2009
Where: St Benedicts Hall, The University of Notre Dame, Sydney - Corner Broadway and Abercrombie St, Broadway, Sydney
Who: Dr Patrick Dodson, Mr Jack de Groot CEO, Caritas Australia
The largest aid and development fundraiser in Australia, Caritas Australia’s 2009 Project Compassion is launching its inaugural lecture with Caritas Australia partner Dr Patrick Dodson of the Lingiari Foundation. Following last year’s landmark apology from the Australian PM, acclaimed Indigenous leader and justice advocate Dr Dodson, will provide a road map on where to now for reconciliation.
For more information contact Caritas or download a flyer. RSVPs essential, places strictly limited
Saturday, February 21, 2009
SOLDIERS OF PEACE - 19 March 2009 - Special Benefit Screening
A star-studded Australian documentary which won Best Feature Film and Best Documentary Director for Feature Film at the Monaco International Film Festival
With a powerful and moving message on the vital importance of peace to world sustainability, Soldiers of Peace takes the viewer on an inspiring journey across 5 continents and 14 countries to show the extraordinary peace efforts of ordinary individuals across the globe.
Narrated by actor Michael Douglas and featuring interviews with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Sir Bob Geldof, Sir Richard Branson, Dr Hans Blix, and Tim Flannery, Soldiers of Peace aims to put peace back on the world agenda and to illustrate the connection between individual acts of enterprise and heroism and the systemic changes needed for our planet's survival in the 21st Century.
The film visits religious fundamentalists in Nigeria who preach a peaceful co-existence; IRA bomber Pat Magee reconciling with the daughter of one of his victims; a young Kenyan woman bringing clashing tribes together through football; and former militia men who advocate peace through music.
A One Tree Films' production, Soldiers of Peace is the brainchild of Australian businessman and philanthropist, Steve Killelea, who is also the founder of the Global Peace Index, an annual ranking of the world's most peaceful nations. It is directed and filmed by award-winning director and war correspondent, Tim Wise.
SPECIAL BENEFIT SCREENING
Thursday, 19th March 7pm
Footbridge Theatre, Parramatta Road
(Sydney University)
Speakers: Director Tim Wise, Professor Jake Lynch, Director Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, and Professor Stuart Rees Director of Sydney Peace Foundation
Tickets $15. Book online at Moshtix
For more information visit: Soldiers of Peace Movie
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With a powerful and moving message on the vital importance of peace to world sustainability, Soldiers of Peace takes the viewer on an inspiring journey across 5 continents and 14 countries to show the extraordinary peace efforts of ordinary individuals across the globe.
Narrated by actor Michael Douglas and featuring interviews with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Sir Bob Geldof, Sir Richard Branson, Dr Hans Blix, and Tim Flannery, Soldiers of Peace aims to put peace back on the world agenda and to illustrate the connection between individual acts of enterprise and heroism and the systemic changes needed for our planet's survival in the 21st Century.
The film visits religious fundamentalists in Nigeria who preach a peaceful co-existence; IRA bomber Pat Magee reconciling with the daughter of one of his victims; a young Kenyan woman bringing clashing tribes together through football; and former militia men who advocate peace through music.
A One Tree Films' production, Soldiers of Peace is the brainchild of Australian businessman and philanthropist, Steve Killelea, who is also the founder of the Global Peace Index, an annual ranking of the world's most peaceful nations. It is directed and filmed by award-winning director and war correspondent, Tim Wise.
SPECIAL BENEFIT SCREENING
Thursday, 19th March 7pm
Footbridge Theatre, Parramatta Road
(Sydney University)
Speakers: Director Tim Wise, Professor Jake Lynch, Director Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, and Professor Stuart Rees Director of Sydney Peace Foundation
Tickets $15. Book online at Moshtix
For more information visit: Soldiers of Peace Movie
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, February 20, 2009
International Social Justice Day February 20, 2009
February 20, 2009 is an important day for all persons in our global village but especially for those of us committed to living the Good News of peace and justice. The World Day of Social Justice is being observed for the first time following its unanimous adoption by the 192 member States of the United Nations during their November 2007 General Assembly. You are invited and asked to share with your members the enclosed prayer for this day. It was developed by members of the USG/UISG Secretariat Commission for Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation in Rome. For a copy of the prayer go to: Click here for more information
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The World Calls On UN To Stop Genocide Of Tamils In Sri-Lanka
Dr C P Thiagarajah
Countercurrents.org February 17, 2009
Robert Evans, Chairman of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with South Asia , (according to IANS on 13 February 2009) called on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to send a peacekeeping mission as soon as possible. This clarion call is most timely in view of the non-compliance of the Govt of Sri-Lanka (GSL) to UNHRC request to abide by international war laws in protecting civilians.
About a month earlier, on 14 Jan 2009, John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, in a debate at United Nations Security Council on the protection of civilians in armed conflict said that, the Council's focus must be on the conduct of hostilities and the need for strict compliance with international humanitarian law. In Sri Lanka , strict compliance with international humanitarian law was all the more critical with the intensification of fighting in the Vanni. Consequently humanitarian needs assessment was difficult. He was, concerned about the 350,000 civilians trapped in an increasingly confined space.
NORIHIRO OKUDA ( Japan ) emphasized at the same session at UNHRC the importance of a) protecting and empowering civilians in armed conflict from a human security perspective. b) taking care of the dire situation of vulnerable civilians in armed conflicts worldwide, including Sri-Lanka , Afghanistan , Iraq , Darfur, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia . c) stopping deliberate attacks against civilians, journalists, aid workers as well as the recruitment of child soldiers, restriction of humanitarian access and other human rights violations.
The surprising aspect of the UN declaration with the expectation that the Sri-Lankan polarised government would abide by it assiduously have had tragic consequences. It had been estimated that 2000 were massacred within the period 1 January and 15 February 2009. The scene of the carnage heaped on the Tamils by the Sinhala GSL is heart rending and cannot be looked at.
Further, Ranjith Jayasundera, a Sinhalese, in Sunday Leader of 14 December under the title “Govt's war costing more lives than in Lanka's history” revealed that the Sri-Lanka Air Force already holds the unenviable record of being the first, only and thus most frequent dropper of bombs on its own citizens, and the government would gain little from being seen in the eyes of the world as having used cluster munitions on a refugee camp as alleged by some NGOs and the LTTE.
When the GSL is not paying any attention to the UN the only remedy lies in a more united drastic action by the UN. Canada and UK had already called for such a move. Here are some of the Western parliamentarians who sincerely felt that immediate action should be taken by the UN.
Mr Bob Ray Canadian MP told The Star, on February 04, 2009 “The UN can’t allow the Sri Lankan government to say “it’s an internal matter” and stay away”.
UK Parliament had a one and a half hours adjournment debate on 5 February 2009. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North) (Lab):
I endorse the strength Minister’s call for a ceasefire. That said, if the Government of Sri Lanka are simply not prepared to listen to the international community's calls for a ceasefire, is it not time for some degree of sanctions, such as suspension from the Commonwealth or the suspension of military or trade agreements, to show that the rest of the world means business in trying to bring about peace in Sri Lanka?
Mr. Philip Hollobone ( Kettering ) (Con):
Is it not important for the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit Sri Lanka as soon as possible so that they can see at first hand what is going on and have face-to-face meetings with the President of Sri Lanka?
Mr. Keith Simpson (Mid-Norfolk) (Con): we should spell out to the Sri Lankan Government the types of ultimate sanction that the international community could impose. A number of organisations could do that.
Joan Ryan (Enfield, North) (Lab): A recent report by the Genocide Prevention Project highlighted Sri Lanka as one of eight red alert countries where genocide or mass atrocities are under way or at risk of breaking out. I do not think that any of us can afford to ignore such an alert. We have said many times in the aftermath of genocide that we could have seen it coming and that we could and should have done more to prevent it. We must say and do more to prevent it from happening in Sri Lanka .
Mr. Edward Davey (Kingston and Surbiton) (LD):
I am also delighted that the Foreign Secretary achieved, through his discussion with Secretary Clinton in the United States, a joint US-UK call for a ceasefire. However, I urge the Government to go further. As I said in a letter to the Prime Minister recently, they should go to the United Nations Security Council. We need the whole international community to speak as one. We need to work for that, because the Sri Lankan Government should be in no doubt about how the international community feels.
Mr. Neil Gerrard (Walthamstow) (Lab):
Members have suggested, we should think seriously about sanctions. For years, the Government there have not been interested in listening to any criticism.
Simon Hughes ( North Southwark and Bermondsey) (LD
Said firstly Sri-Lankan government should accept the proposed ceasefire immediately, allow the presence of the UN and the relief agencies. He wanted media freedom restored because Sri Lanka has the second worst record on press freedom in the world, behind only Eritrea .
Secondly, there has to be a reference to the UN, the Commonwealth and other bodies, so that the international community can make their voices clearer. There may be a case for reference to the International Criminal Court. At least one Sri Lankan Minister is an American citizen, and there may be a war crimes issue to be dealt with.
Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) (Lab):
He wanted the suspension of Sri Lanka from the Commonwealth. He urged the members to do something that hurts.---We need to do something large and bold. We need to take a step.
Stephen Hammond ( Wimbledon ) (Con
We must ensure that any sanctions that we impose hurt the people we intend to hurt.
Canada parliament also took very serious decision after two and half hours debate and concluded that Tamil’s genocide be taken to UN.
Hon. Irwin Cotler ( Mount Royal , Lib.):
We must support the call for the appointment of a United Nations special envoy for Sri Lanka to monitor and guard against abuses and to assist the peace process, as has been recommended by the United Nations itself, by the United States Department of State and by other international actors. Free press be allowed unfettered access to the conflict area to report on the ground situation.
Hon. Maria Minna (Beaches— East York , Lib.
an immediate ceasefire with international monitors put in place to ensure that it is respected. The UN should appoint a special representative to monitor the ceasefire and also to start the peace talks immediately.
It is time that the Government of Canada be aggressive on this issue with the United Nations. The Security Council of the UN should also be involved
Hon. Albina Guarnieri ( Mississauga East—Cooksville, Lib.)
Canada must call for immediate posting of international observers and peacekeepers towns in the north and east . If not this tragedy will continue to reach catastrophic proportions. Canada can also demand that Sri Lanka submit fully to an international war crimes tribunal where the actions of leaders on all sides of this conflict can be investigated and judged. The suffering in Sri Lanka will continue as long as there is no legal consequence, no opportunity for justice and no international will to bring a just peace.
Mr.John Cannis : Thanks for using the true word "Genocide", pointing these statements "go nowhere", urging "we need solutions, not papers"
Hon. Jack Layton ( Toronto —Danforth, NDP)
He called for sustained effort for all possible diplomatic pressure to achieve the ceasefire. We are also calling for an immediate end to the apparent use of cluster bombs by the Sri Lankan military. We know that this is against international law. We also have to do everything we can to ensure the supply of emergency aid and access to the conflict zone for international aid organizations.
We have to use all available channels including our influence at the United Nations and at the Commonwealth to achieve these goals
Mr. Wayne Marston ( Hamilton East— Stoney Creek , NDP):
He indicated that the international community has to face the problem of the Sri Lankan government prohibition of independent journalists and human rights monitors from accessing the area of conflict. But one thing is very clear, Sri Lankan civilians are being maimed and are dying in this conflict.
Mr. Paul Dewar ( Ottawa Centre, NDP):
is it plausible for Canada to raise in the UN General Assembly the issue of ceasefire to the Security Council? How realistic is that idea, and what can we do to advance it?
U.S. Judiciary Committee Chairman and Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy said that "it is imperative that the government and the LTTE agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid further loss of life, permit access to UN monitors and humanitarian organizations, and permit civilians to leave for areas of safety. The Obama administration, the British, Indian and other concerned governments, should be publicly urging the same,"
If no action is taken expeditiously there will be genocide of a quarter million Tamils within a week. Just look what happened in Rwanda when UN delayed action. Nearly a million Tutsi were murdered within 100 days. Will the UN take action? Yes I am sure for Ms Navaneethan Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a press release issued 29 Thursday January 2009 had made it clear that the UN is aware of HR violation in Mullaitivu where GSL last battle against the LTTE is taking place. She reiterated that “it is imperative that we find out more about what exactly has been going on”.
Countercurrents.org February 17, 2009
Robert Evans, Chairman of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with South Asia , (according to IANS on 13 February 2009) called on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to send a peacekeeping mission as soon as possible. This clarion call is most timely in view of the non-compliance of the Govt of Sri-Lanka (GSL) to UNHRC request to abide by international war laws in protecting civilians.
About a month earlier, on 14 Jan 2009, John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, in a debate at United Nations Security Council on the protection of civilians in armed conflict said that, the Council's focus must be on the conduct of hostilities and the need for strict compliance with international humanitarian law. In Sri Lanka , strict compliance with international humanitarian law was all the more critical with the intensification of fighting in the Vanni. Consequently humanitarian needs assessment was difficult. He was, concerned about the 350,000 civilians trapped in an increasingly confined space.
NORIHIRO OKUDA ( Japan ) emphasized at the same session at UNHRC the importance of a) protecting and empowering civilians in armed conflict from a human security perspective. b) taking care of the dire situation of vulnerable civilians in armed conflicts worldwide, including Sri-Lanka , Afghanistan , Iraq , Darfur, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia . c) stopping deliberate attacks against civilians, journalists, aid workers as well as the recruitment of child soldiers, restriction of humanitarian access and other human rights violations.
The surprising aspect of the UN declaration with the expectation that the Sri-Lankan polarised government would abide by it assiduously have had tragic consequences. It had been estimated that 2000 were massacred within the period 1 January and 15 February 2009. The scene of the carnage heaped on the Tamils by the Sinhala GSL is heart rending and cannot be looked at.
Further, Ranjith Jayasundera, a Sinhalese, in Sunday Leader of 14 December under the title “Govt's war costing more lives than in Lanka's history” revealed that the Sri-Lanka Air Force already holds the unenviable record of being the first, only and thus most frequent dropper of bombs on its own citizens, and the government would gain little from being seen in the eyes of the world as having used cluster munitions on a refugee camp as alleged by some NGOs and the LTTE.
When the GSL is not paying any attention to the UN the only remedy lies in a more united drastic action by the UN. Canada and UK had already called for such a move. Here are some of the Western parliamentarians who sincerely felt that immediate action should be taken by the UN.
Mr Bob Ray Canadian MP told The Star, on February 04, 2009 “The UN can’t allow the Sri Lankan government to say “it’s an internal matter” and stay away”.
UK Parliament had a one and a half hours adjournment debate on 5 February 2009. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North) (Lab):
I endorse the strength Minister’s call for a ceasefire. That said, if the Government of Sri Lanka are simply not prepared to listen to the international community's calls for a ceasefire, is it not time for some degree of sanctions, such as suspension from the Commonwealth or the suspension of military or trade agreements, to show that the rest of the world means business in trying to bring about peace in Sri Lanka?
Mr. Philip Hollobone ( Kettering ) (Con):
Is it not important for the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit Sri Lanka as soon as possible so that they can see at first hand what is going on and have face-to-face meetings with the President of Sri Lanka?
Mr. Keith Simpson (Mid-Norfolk) (Con): we should spell out to the Sri Lankan Government the types of ultimate sanction that the international community could impose. A number of organisations could do that.
Joan Ryan (Enfield, North) (Lab): A recent report by the Genocide Prevention Project highlighted Sri Lanka as one of eight red alert countries where genocide or mass atrocities are under way or at risk of breaking out. I do not think that any of us can afford to ignore such an alert. We have said many times in the aftermath of genocide that we could have seen it coming and that we could and should have done more to prevent it. We must say and do more to prevent it from happening in Sri Lanka .
Mr. Edward Davey (Kingston and Surbiton) (LD):
I am also delighted that the Foreign Secretary achieved, through his discussion with Secretary Clinton in the United States, a joint US-UK call for a ceasefire. However, I urge the Government to go further. As I said in a letter to the Prime Minister recently, they should go to the United Nations Security Council. We need the whole international community to speak as one. We need to work for that, because the Sri Lankan Government should be in no doubt about how the international community feels.
Mr. Neil Gerrard (Walthamstow) (Lab):
Members have suggested, we should think seriously about sanctions. For years, the Government there have not been interested in listening to any criticism.
Simon Hughes ( North Southwark and Bermondsey) (LD
Said firstly Sri-Lankan government should accept the proposed ceasefire immediately, allow the presence of the UN and the relief agencies. He wanted media freedom restored because Sri Lanka has the second worst record on press freedom in the world, behind only Eritrea .
Secondly, there has to be a reference to the UN, the Commonwealth and other bodies, so that the international community can make their voices clearer. There may be a case for reference to the International Criminal Court. At least one Sri Lankan Minister is an American citizen, and there may be a war crimes issue to be dealt with.
Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) (Lab):
He wanted the suspension of Sri Lanka from the Commonwealth. He urged the members to do something that hurts.---We need to do something large and bold. We need to take a step.
Stephen Hammond ( Wimbledon ) (Con
We must ensure that any sanctions that we impose hurt the people we intend to hurt.
Canada parliament also took very serious decision after two and half hours debate and concluded that Tamil’s genocide be taken to UN.
Hon. Irwin Cotler ( Mount Royal , Lib.):
We must support the call for the appointment of a United Nations special envoy for Sri Lanka to monitor and guard against abuses and to assist the peace process, as has been recommended by the United Nations itself, by the United States Department of State and by other international actors. Free press be allowed unfettered access to the conflict area to report on the ground situation.
Hon. Maria Minna (Beaches— East York , Lib.
an immediate ceasefire with international monitors put in place to ensure that it is respected. The UN should appoint a special representative to monitor the ceasefire and also to start the peace talks immediately.
It is time that the Government of Canada be aggressive on this issue with the United Nations. The Security Council of the UN should also be involved
Hon. Albina Guarnieri ( Mississauga East—Cooksville, Lib.)
Canada must call for immediate posting of international observers and peacekeepers towns in the north and east . If not this tragedy will continue to reach catastrophic proportions. Canada can also demand that Sri Lanka submit fully to an international war crimes tribunal where the actions of leaders on all sides of this conflict can be investigated and judged. The suffering in Sri Lanka will continue as long as there is no legal consequence, no opportunity for justice and no international will to bring a just peace.
Mr.John Cannis : Thanks for using the true word "Genocide", pointing these statements "go nowhere", urging "we need solutions, not papers"
Hon. Jack Layton ( Toronto —Danforth, NDP)
He called for sustained effort for all possible diplomatic pressure to achieve the ceasefire. We are also calling for an immediate end to the apparent use of cluster bombs by the Sri Lankan military. We know that this is against international law. We also have to do everything we can to ensure the supply of emergency aid and access to the conflict zone for international aid organizations.
We have to use all available channels including our influence at the United Nations and at the Commonwealth to achieve these goals
Mr. Wayne Marston ( Hamilton East— Stoney Creek , NDP):
He indicated that the international community has to face the problem of the Sri Lankan government prohibition of independent journalists and human rights monitors from accessing the area of conflict. But one thing is very clear, Sri Lankan civilians are being maimed and are dying in this conflict.
Mr. Paul Dewar ( Ottawa Centre, NDP):
is it plausible for Canada to raise in the UN General Assembly the issue of ceasefire to the Security Council? How realistic is that idea, and what can we do to advance it?
U.S. Judiciary Committee Chairman and Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy said that "it is imperative that the government and the LTTE agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid further loss of life, permit access to UN monitors and humanitarian organizations, and permit civilians to leave for areas of safety. The Obama administration, the British, Indian and other concerned governments, should be publicly urging the same,"
If no action is taken expeditiously there will be genocide of a quarter million Tamils within a week. Just look what happened in Rwanda when UN delayed action. Nearly a million Tutsi were murdered within 100 days. Will the UN take action? Yes I am sure for Ms Navaneethan Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a press release issued 29 Thursday January 2009 had made it clear that the UN is aware of HR violation in Mullaitivu where GSL last battle against the LTTE is taking place. She reiterated that “it is imperative that we find out more about what exactly has been going on”.
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