Published on Nov 9, 2013
This is the full interview with Viswanathan Rudrakumaran for the documentary ‘That Tamil Issue’. Interviewers : Tejinder Singh and Rajesh Sundaram. Shot in New York, USA. Co-Producer : Prakash Ezumalai
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CHOGM 2013 Walking into Genocidal Sri Lanka
A Booklet by Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE)
1) This Booklet examines the core principles of the Commonwealth and
multiple ways Sri Lanka has ignored, defied, & violated these principles.
2) Reviewing the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group’s (CMAG)
practices in relation to Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Fiji, this booklet
identifies a clear precedence to suspend Sri Lanka.
3) By allowing Sri Lanka to chair CMAG, the body charged with
investigating human rights, democracy, judicial or journalistic
independence violations, ostensibly gives approval to the actions of the
Sri Lankan government, that committed war crimes, crimes against humanity
and genocide.
4) The government callously suppresses free speech, as clearly
demonstrated in the 6th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution, standing
in violation of a core value of the Commonwealth.
*Events:* There will be events in UK, India, Canada & Switzerland to
release this Booklet.
The objective of this Booklet is to underline the obligation of
Commonwealth member states to boycott CHOGM 2013 and suspend Sri Lanka from
the Commonwealth. A state that has been accused of war crimes, crimes
against humanity and genocide is not representative of the ideals and
values held by such a distinguished organization like the Commonwealth. As
Sri Lanka continues to be implicated in the news for its massive human
rights violations, the decision to hold the 23rd Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting in Sri Lanka has been questioned and caused great
indignation.
This booklet examines the core principles of the Commonwealth and the
multiple ways in which Sri Lanka has ignored, defied, and violated these
principles. It makes an appeal for Sri Lanka’s dismissal from the
Commonwealth as has been done previously with Commonwealth states.
Reviewing the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group’s practices in relation
to Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Fiji, this booklet identifies a clear
precedence for suspension when democracy and the rule of law are
extinguished.
Exploring various reports and articles written by the Panel of Experts
appointed by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, a United Nations
internal report known as “the Charles Petrie Report”, an article written
for the American Journal of International Law by Professor Steven Ratner, a
2012 report by the US Department of State, as well as various other
detailed documents, this booklet offers a strong case for suspension.
The Sri Lankan government callously suppresses free speech as clearly
demonstrated in the 6th Amendment in the Sri Lankan Constitution standing
in violation of a core value of the Commonwealth. Sri Lanka continues to
deny any wrongdoing, despite clear and mounting evidence from various
sources.
Recounting the long history of discrimination, persecution and the
marginalization of Tamils from the political process, as acknowledged in
the UN Expert Panel Report, this booklet outlines the way in which very
little has changed in the island of Sri Lanka.
The consequences of hosting CHOGM in the island of Sri Lanka and appointing
as its leader who is accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and
genocide as Chair of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) are
innumerable and will devastate not only the Tamil People, but also the
international community as a whole. The attention afforded to Sri Lanka as
host of CHOGM has only bolstered its ability to obscure the real issues,
and in turn allowed the government to escape accountability and justice.
Allowing Sri Lanka to chair CMAG, the body charged with investigating human
rights, democracy, judicial or journalistic independence violations,
ostensibly gives approval to the actions of the Sri Lankan government
during and following the war. The booklet also envisages that the
repercussions of attending the conference will reverberate well beyond the
Summit. This booklet also argues that the contradictions between the
principles of CHOGM and allowing Sri Lanka to serve as host will create a
lasting divide between civil society and governments in member states.
This booklet calls for member states of the Commonwealth to take an
impassioned and principled stand against the blatant disregard for
democracy, freedom, peace, the rule of law and equal opportunity.
Thoughtful consideration of the credible evidence produced by NGOs against
Sri Lanka is imperative before making a decision to attend CHOGM 2013. Sri
Lanka’s engagement in crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide is
well documented and it is the responsibility of Commonwealth member states
to hold Sri Lanka accountable.
*Note:* This Booklet was sent to all member countries of the commonwealth.
*For information & to get a copy of the Booklet contact*: or
tgte-us.org
*Attached, recent documentary:* “No Fire Zone”
*Link to the Booklet*: http://naathamnews.com/?p=32
*ABOUT TRANSNATIONAL GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL EELAM (TGTE): *
Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) is a new political concept,
formed after the mass killing of Tamils in the final months of the war in
2009.
It is a new political formation based on the principles of nationhood,
homeland and self-determination. The raison d’etre for the TGTE is lack of
political space inside the island of Sri Lanka for the Tamils to articulate
and realize their political aspirations fully due to Constitutional
impediments, racist political environment and military strangulation; and
the coordination of diaspora political activities based on democratic
principles and the rule of law.
The Constitution of the TGTE mandates that it should realize its political
objective only through peaceful means.
TGTE held internationally supervised elections in 12 countries. These
elections were held to ensure that core believe of democracy be upheld
within the TGTE and to demonstrate TGTE’s belief and reliance upon
democratic ideals. TGTE has a bicameral legislature and a Cabinet. Although
an elected body, TGTE does not claim to be a government in exile.
TGTE held its second elections in October 2013. Tamils around the world
unitedly elected all the Members of Parliament without contest. With this
election, TGTE begins its 2nd Parliamentary term.
The TGTE promulgated a Freedom Charter on May 18, 2013 incorporating
“Freedom Demands” of the Tamils across the globe. Presently, in addition to
the campaign for an international investigation, the TGTE is also
campaigning for an International Protection Mechanism and the release of
documents pertaining to Tamils prepared by the Office of the Special
Advisor of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide.
TGTE believes that the referendum among the Tamils inside the island of Sri
Lanka and the Tamil diaspora will contribute to the political resolution of
the Tamil national conflict.
So far, the human cost has reached 100,000 as it grows. There are also
90,000 Tamil war widows. The Tamil women, especially female bread winners
are subject to sexual abuse by the Sri Lankan security forces.