Rally on Capitol Hill: PEARL joined with U.S. Campaign for BurmaCommunity members, students and human rights activists from around the countryTo commemorate the 25th year anniversary of the 1983 pogrom in Sri Lanka where over 3,000 Tamil civilians were murdered, as well as the 20th anniversary of the "8888 Uprising" in Burma where thousands of innocent protesters were killed, PEARL organized its first national rally ever! In conjunction with US Campaign for Burma (USCB), PEARL opposed China's military funding of the governments of Sri Lanka and Burma, which commit grave human rights violations against ethnic minorities. The day of the rally, there were visits with members of Congress on Capitol Hill to highlight China's role in fueling the human rights crises in Sri Lanka and Burma. When: July 24, 2008 Where: Please take note that the location of the Black July Rally has been changed from the West Lawn of the Capitol Building to: View the 6/18/08 Press Release(pdf) View the 7/9/08 Press Release(pdf) Contact: Ahilan Sivaganesan at asivaganesan@pearlaction.org To preserve and safeguard the memory of the events of Black July, PEARL is working to collect testimonials from survivors. If you experienced Black July and are able to share details of what you witnessed, please contact Valli Sanmugalingam at vsanmugalingam@pearlaction.org. PEARL will respect your confidentiality if you prefer to contribute your story anonymously. Pictures from the Rally |
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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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