Action Alert ArchiveAttacks on Tamil parliamentarians isolate Tamils from governmentJuly 30, 2006 Democracy in Sri Lanka is now in grave danger. In past months, key Tamil politicians have been killed, leading up to the attempted murder of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament (MP) S. Jeyananthamoorthy on July 21. The president of the Trincomalee District Tamil People's Forum, V. Vigneswaran, was shot dead in April just when he was to fill the position of TNA MP Joseph Pararajasingham, who was slain in church on Christmas Eve of 2005. The killing of these leaders, who were community activists and advocates of peace, negates claims that there is room for Tamil representation in the Sri Lankan government. Two rocket propelled grenades were fired at Jeyananthamoorthy's home, but the entire family was able to escape safely. It is known that the MP, who is a community leader and once was a journalist, had been under threat from the paramilitary group led by Karuna for quite some time - the group is stationed but only 1km from the house. Paramilitaries were also implicated in the brutal murder of MP Pararajasingham, as they and the state Intelligence Unit had made many attempts on his life in the past. As this MP was a senior leader with tremendous support who worked to expose human rights violations by the SL government, his death served to quite a major Tamil voice in the Northeast. The subsequent killing, in between two police stations, of Pararajasingham's replacement, Vigneswaran, puts into serious question the SL government's commitment in Geneva to curb paramilitary activities. A pattern of murder is developing, and sentiments in the Northeast are that the military is complicit in the systematic killing of key Tamil politicians in the East. The SL government has not acted on its pledge to control paramilitaries suspected of these crimes, which makes it extremely difficult for the Tamil population to have faith in the state. In a situation where members of its own Parliament are being targeted and assassinated, the Sri Lankan government has a responsibility to act swiftly to restore law and order. The impunity of paramilitary groups and growing proof of army support suggest something worse: government complicity. The murder of Tamil politicians and activists must be stopped, not just for the Tamil's sake, but to protect democracy itself. The international community must press the Sri Lankan government to dismantle paramilitary groups, which it has not done despite commitments to do so. Addressing the paramilitary problem will help quell the recent upsurge of violence, while also giving Tamils some reason to trust the government. Given the endangered state of democracy and peace in Sri Lanka, we urge you to pressure the GoSL into enforcing the rule of law and stopping paramilitary groups and their crimes. |
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Jun 20, 2008 - Aftenposten
Peace brokers from around the world will once again gather for the annual Oslo Forum next week, to swap experience in conflict mediation. Participants include Mohammad Khatami, former president of Iran; Jonathan Powell, former chief of staff for ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Gareth Evans, president of the International Crisis Group. Read this article
As Sri Lanka's civil war escalates, so do attacks on its journalists
Jun 19, 2008 - AP
With civil war raging in Sri Lanka, the journalists trying to cover the conflict find themselves increasingly under siege. They have been hounded by the government, attacked by unknown assailants and accused of aiding the rebels. Many reporters have been arrested or fled the country, while others have resorted to self-censorship, journalists said.Read this article
Review of Sri Lanka under the Universal Periodic Review
Jun 14, 2008 - Amnesty International
Themes raised by member states participating in the review of Sri Lanka under the UPR dialogue included concerns related to the lack of protection of civilians caught in the internal conflict; enforced disappearances, unlawful/extrajudicial killings; torture and other forms of ill treatment, threats to freedom of expression, the need to strengthen national human rights institutions, attacks on dissent and ongoing impunity for human rights violations.
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Press freedom in Sri Lanka continues to deteriorate
Jun 13, 2008 - CPJ
The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by government’s policies toward journalists who write critically about the conflict between Sri Lanka’s military forces and Tamil secessionists. We have seen an increase in harassment, intimidation, and detention of reporters, many of whom are columnists in senior positions with well-established careers.
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S.Lanka says peace brokers can't visit rebel area
Jun 12, 2008 - Reuters
Sri Lanka has refused requests by Norwegian peace mediators to visit rebel territory, and said fresh peace talks hinged on Tamil Tiger guarantees to lay down arms and stick to a negotiation timetable. Nordic ceasefire monitors quit the country this year after the six-year Norway brokered truce disintegrated.
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