On August 14^th, 2006, Sri Lankan forces engaged in an air raid which killed 63 teenage schoolgirls, leaving 129 wounded in the northern Sri Lanka region of Mullathivu. The Sri Lankan region as a whole has harbored a 20 year conflict between the Sinhalese majority government and the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam, in which cases of genocide, civilian massacres, rape, torture and human rights violations are rampant, claiming tens of thousands of lives. Between 1983 and 2002, an estimated 60,000 death have resulted from the armed conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE or Tamil Tigers). In 2002, a peace process sponsored by Norway and other countries in the international community including Canada brought a temporary end to the ongoing conflict. However, this ceasefire, which has lasted a total of 54 months, is now on the verge of collapsing, as the government sponsored military and paramilitary assault against the Tamil population has led to countless casualties and has sparked a great deal of condemnations among the international community. The situation has deteriorated to a point in which foreign assistance and peacekeeping are vital in order to preserve human rights and ensure that this conflict is brought to an end.

There are frequent reports of torture by the Sri Lankan police. Some of the victims have sought reparations through formal legal processes; however, their pleas are being forcibly withdrawn by Sri Lankan officials. In addition, there have been reports of individuals being killed while under police custody. Gerald Perera, a torture victim, attempting to present incriminating evidence against seven policemen in the High Court, was shot and killed on November 21^st. In August 2006, the National Police Commission announced that they will be addressing the issue of police torture. They also added that they will take control of their police officers while revoking the previous authority of the Inspector General Police (IGP) as it pertains to issues relating to disciplinary matters for officers below the rank of inspector. Providing a critical response, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) established a Torture Prevention and Monitoring Unit to investigate charges and initiate surprise checks at detention centers. Not surprisingly, in September the IGP issued a statement that was based on the Attorney General's advice that would require the NHRC to notify senior police officials before making any inspections.

The Sinhalese government has been responsible for the systematic ethnic cleansing of non-Buddhist populations and has thereby engaged in a campaign of genocide against the Tamil population. Consequently, the LTTE has responded with violent attacks against the Sinhalese government, in hopes of achieving rights to a Tamil-operated homeland that would be free of discrimination. That being said, it is important to recognize that while the LTTE should be seen as a resistance movement defending credible grievances, particularly the argument for an independent state that is free from Sinhalese domination and brutality, the tactics they utilize should be equally condemned.

The LTTE-affiliated Tamil National Alliance (TNA) won a majority of the seats in the north-east over the government headed by the President's United People's Freedom Alliance. Nevertheless, it is important to point out that vote rigging, intimidation and violence have marred elections in this region. After the election, Colonel Karuna, the LTTE eastern commander, split from the group taking with him a number of cadres. As a result, LTTE troops engaged him and the group soon disbanded. Nevertheless, he continues to speak out against the LTTE and joined the Eelam National Democratic Liberation Front.  Throughout 2004, violence, including assassinations and widespread child recruitment, in the east remained constant tension between LTTE and Karuna supporters. It has been reported that over 1,600 child soldiers from the east who have been disbanded after fighting with Colonel Karuna are being re-recruited by the LTTE following their loss after the disband.

In Sri Lanka, Buddhist villagers are reported to have been attacking Christian groups in the southern region of the country. In addition, riots between various Muslim sects in the east have resulted in instances of widespread violence including arson and vandalism, forcing families to flee their homes for safety. The same tension exists between Muslims and Tamils in other areas in the country – particularly, in Mannar and Akkaraipattu.

Over one-quarter of Sri Lanka's Tamil population have left the country in an attempt to escape governmental and LTTE brutality. Despite their attempts, those who have escaped the turmoil are still systematically pressured by the LTTE from overseas. When Tamils from the West visit family members, they are pressured to provide funds in LTTE-controlled areas in the North. They are told that they may not leave if they do not produce the requested amount of ransom. Failure to do so may even result in the confiscation of their passports.

Governments of countries that hold a substantial population of Tamils have a responsibility to protect individuals from these abuses. A proactive reaction, including police investigations, prosecutions and public outreach to the community, should be taken. That being said, this should not translate into support for the Sri Lankan government and their paramilitaries nor should this be taken as free reign to harass the Tamil community. The root of this conflict is the abuses of the Sinhalese government which should be subjected to international and internal pressure first and foremost. From there, legitimate Tamil grievances with the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE opposition must be addressed separately from the selfish goals of these two groups. Mainly, Tamil independence must be addressed or perhaps steps can be taken in order to create substantial reforms in Sri Lanka that will not result in this split which could plausibly bring more problems to the forefront. Either way, the abuse on all sides must cease, and the Tamil population must be given a legitimate chance to create a collective position, free from intimidation from the Sinhalese government and the Tamil Tigers.

 

In the spirit of resistance,
Critical Mood