TID summons TNPF General Secretary Kajendren for investigations

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 September 2013, 00:50 GMT]
The General Secretary of the Tamil National Peoples' Front (TNPF) and former Tamil parliamentarian from Jaffna, Mr Selvarajah Kajendren, has been instructed over the phone by Sri Lanka's Terrorist Investigation Department (TID) to come for an inquiry on Wednesday at the TID office situated on Naavalar Road in Jaffna city, informed sources said adding that many human rights activists, journalists and student leaders have been ‘invited’ over the phone for such investigations in recent times. Mr Kajendren said he is being asked to come for such investigations for the 5th time in recent times.

The TID seems avoiding written invitations for investigations to evade complaints reaching the international human rights watchdogs. Except in a few cases such as the reported investigation of the BBC Tamil reporter Mr Manikavasagam Ponnaiah, almost all the invitations for such investigations are being extended over the phone.

The newly elected student leaders of Jaffna University were also ‘invited’ for such investigations at the Naavalar Road office of the TID, civil activists said. The student leaders were warned against observing remembrance events on Mu’l’livaaykkaal Day in May and during the Tamil Heroes Day in November. The student leaders were threatened with the message that there would be ‘disappearances’ if the students continued to observe such remembrance evens in the future.

Sri Lanka’s notorious Terrorist Investigations Department (TID), operated by SL Defence Secretary and presidential sibling Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, has now established district-level investigation offices in the country of Eezham Tamils.

In Jaffna, the office functions on Naavalar Road at the building of Namathu Eezhanadu daily, which has been seized by the SL military after the Vanni war in 2009.

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2ND LEAD (ADDS VIDEO)

We always requested international investigation: TNA’s Suresh Premachandran

[TamilNet, Sunday, 11 March 2012, 18:40 GMT]
“We have been to various countries like United State of America, Great Britain, Canada and South Africa, and we requested those countries that there must be an international investigation on the accountability, because the LLRC report does not have anything about the accountability as such,” said TNA parliamentarian Mr Suresh Premachandran in conducting a press meet at the TNA office, which is also the EPRLF office, in Jaffna on Sunday. On TNA’s talks with the SL government, Premachandran said Colombo has not yet fulfilled an understanding between Sampanthan and Rajapaksa that a bilateral agreement on solutions should precede before the TNA naming participants to the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC). Without third party mediation the talks are futile, as SL doesn’t want to settle the problem through power sharing, Premachandran said.



“For more than a year we were negotiating with the SL government but we couldn’t move an inch, because the government doesn’t want to share power with Tamils.

“Under these circumstances, if you want to continue the talks, then I strongly feel that there must be a third-party mediation.

“Only when there is a third-party mediation the international community will come to know what actually the government is up to […] Otherwise, this can go on for another year and the government might say so many things.

“In the future, if you want to continue the talks and if the International Community seriously want to see any progress, I strongly feel we need a third party mediation in the talks,” Mr Premachandran said in English at the press meet.

A day before on Saturday, conducting a press meet in Jaffna, the leader of Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF), Mr Gajendrakumar Ponnabalam, denouncing the US-tabled resolution at Geneva as “extremely disappointing and counter-productive”, said that justice could only come from independent international investigation.

* * *

Meanwhile, talking in Tamil at the press conference on Sunday, Mr. Premachandran discussed at length the internal differences in perception inside the TNA on the issue of the Alliance not going to Geneva in making a campaign.

The following are translated summary of his discussion with the press in Tamil:

During the first week of February the opinion among most of the TNA parliamentarians was in favour of participating at the UNHRC sessions in Geneva.

Without holding any further meeting with the parliamentarians if there were any reviews in the decision, Mr. Sampanthan [TNA parliamentary group leader] issued a press statement on February 25, that the TNA would not go to Geneva.

Myself, and the other leaders of the Alliance, Selvam Adaikkalanathan and Maavai Senadhiraja were in India at that time. The other parliamentarians were in their constituencies. Mr. Sumanthiran [the nominated parliamentarian] contacted us over the phone to readout the press statement.

As the statement was against the earlier opinion of most of the parliamentarians, I told him not to release the statement and hold another meeting.

Selvam came to know about the statement through me and he also told Sumanthiran to hold on. Maavai who was in Trichy didn’t know anything. The other parliamentarians in the island were informed over the phone through Sumanthiran.

However, rejecting our opinion, the statement was released on February 25. This shows the anti-democratic tendencies inside the alliance and also the urgency to come out with such a statement.

Later, several reasons were said:

If the TNA goes to Geneva violence may erupt against Tamils was one of the reasons said.

Speaking to BBC, Sumanthiran said that the international community advised against TNA going to Geneva.

There was no invitation; going to Geneva at the sponsorship of another is below the prestige of the TNA that is recognized by the USA and India; there is nothing to achieve by going to Geneva, we have sent letters to the 47-member countries – these were some other reasons said.

The question is that to whom the hasty statement announcing the non-participation of the TNA was beneficial.

Sri Lanka government made the maximum use of it for its campaign at Geneva. Colombo advised that others too should follow the example of the TNA. An image was projected that the TNA has found agreement with the SL government.

Contradictions within the TNA and in media appeared thereafter. The trust of people in the TNA became the casualty. A parliamentary group meeting was convened and even there, Mr Sampanthan insisted on not going to Geneva, citing the advice of the international community. The decision was imposed to save the unity of the TNA.

But the diaspora wanted our presence.

As a political party we have no space in the sessions. But sponsored by registered human rights organizations, we could have gone to make a campaign inside and outside of the UNHRC.

We don’t need to get permission from anyone to do this, and SL government cannot project it as against the sovereignty of its state. During 1988-89 JVP times, the current SL President Mahinda Rajapaksa and SL minister Vasudeva who were then in the opposition went to the same UN human rights session to argue for the human rights of the Sinhalese.

TNA was formed to win the rights of the Tamil people. That’s why people overwhelmingly elected us. After getting elected by people, if anyone says that our status has now gone up, because the USA and India recognise us, and we should not make our campaign, standing at the gates in Geneva, it is a wrong argument.

I speak on length at these issues not to weaken the TNA or to accuse individuals, but to enlighten the people. Only an enlightened people could course-correct their polity, Suresh Premachandran said.

* * *

On Saturday, at the TNPF press meet, Mr Gajendrakumar said that the closing date at Geneva for registering the names of the participants through registered human rights organisations was Feb 24. Since there was an expectation that the TNA would go, others were not concentrating on it. But, as the TNA chose to announce its decision on Feb 25, even substitutes also could not be arranged, Gajendrakumar said

Many things making an impact could be said within the 5 minutes time one gets in the session. On earlier occasions many freedom fighters have used the UNHRC forum in such a way, Gajendrakumar further said.

But the actual problem of the TNA was what to tell at Geneva – without contradicting the US agenda and at the same time not going against the pulse of Tamils, commented a political observer who went through both the press meets in Jaffna.

Chronology:

11.03.12  We always requested international investigation: T..

11.03.12  LLRC-based resolution extremely disappointing: Gaj..

10.03.12  Tamil Nadu activists caution diaspora of the US-re..

09.03.12  US-resolution inadequate, India should seize oppor..

08.03.12  US-resolution binds Tamils to less than the 13th A..

07.03.12  World socialists reject both US-backed resolution ..

06.03.12  Thousands gather in Geneva denouncing deceptive de..

06.03.12  Tamil Nadu demands India to declare Rajapaksa guil..

06.03.12  Sumanthiran, Sritharan contradict reasoning Geneva..

05.03.12  West has to concede to Tamils its failure of ‘war ..

02.03.12  US demand on Sri Lanka is not enough: UNSG Panel o..

01.03.12  US, Sri Lanka squabble whether hang or slaughter E..

29.02.12  Enragement over US-India stand results in Sumanthi..

27.02.12  SL colonial governor coordinates anti-UN demonstra..

26.02.12  Peace academic denounces US-LLRC formula, urges al..

25.02.12  TNA plans boycotting UNHRC, requests people to rem..

25.02.12  US ‘tables’ Rajapaksa formula while pretending pre..

24.02.12  UNHRC sessions open on Monday amidst US–Sri Lanka ..

18.02.12  TNA tries to sell Indo-US pre-emption to Eezham Ta..

16.02.12  Sumanthiran comes forward to save Rajapaksa from i..

22.01.12  TNA should use its Tamil national mandate: Bishop ..

01.01.12  Majority ITAK members welcome civil society report..

13.12.11  TNA leadership faces admonition from civil society..

Canada says LLRC inadequate, calls for independent investigations

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 January 2012, 06:26 GMT]
Adding to the increasing number of calls, ahead of the March meeting of UN's Human Rights Council in Geneva, for Independent International Investigations into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka committed during the final phases of war, Canadas Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Wednesday, "Canada remains concerned that the report does not fully address the grave accusations of serious human rights violations that occurred toward the end of the conflict. Many of the allegations outlined by the UN Secretary-General’s Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka have not been adequately addressed by this report. We continue to call for an independent investigation into the credible and serious allegations raised by the UN Secretary-General’s Panel that international humanitarian law and human rights were violated by both sides in the conflict."

Full text of Minister Baird's statement follows:

Minister Baird Comments on Final Report of Sri Lanka's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission

John Baird, Foreign Affairs Minister, Canada

January 11, 2012 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement on the final report of Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission:

“Canada notes the public release of the report of Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. Although we are still studying the report, the commission has addressed and provided recommendations in some areas of concern, including reconciliation, the rule of law and demilitarization.

“Canada strongly urges the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the commission’s recommendations and develop an implementation road map with clear timelines while also addressing the issues the report did not cover. The report’s recommendations—if implemented—can contribute to the process of political reconciliation that must now take place to address the root causes of deadly strife and division. However, to date, we have seen a lack of both accountability and meaningful attempts at reconciliation on the part of the Sri Lankan government. Decisive action is now required.

“Canada remains concerned that the report does not fully address the grave accusations of serious human rights violations that occurred toward the end of the conflict. Many of the allegations outlined by the UN Secretary-General’s Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka have not been adequately addressed by this report. We continue to call for an independent investigation into the credible and serious allegations raised by the UN Secretary-General’s Panel that international humanitarian law and human rights were violated by both sides in the conflict.

“The Government of Sri Lanka must demonstrate the principles of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
Follow us on Twitter: @DFAIT_MAECI

External Links:

GC:

Minister Baird Comments on Final Report of Sri Lanka's LLRC

Jaffna GA wants SL police to investigate bloggers in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 January 2012, 23:16 GMT]
SL Police in Jaffna have filed cases, on behalf of Sri Lankan Government Agent in Jaffna against persons whom she alleges as engaging in a systematic campaign against her. The Judge at the District court of Jaffna, M. Ganesarajah, on Monday instructed the SL Police to investigate the background of two Tamil blogging sites that were mentioned by the SL Police. The write-ups and photos that appeared in the websites characterising Imelda Sugumar as being subjected to pressure from the SL military governor of North have no substance, she claims. Independent civil officials said public persons such as Ms. Sugumar should be prepared for facing such criticism in a civic manner and not engage in exercises threatening even the ‘non-existing’ freedom of speech in the peninsula.

The write-ups appeared following the recent visit by a British Conservative MP, James Wharton, who was accompanied by the new Sri Lankan High Commissioner in UK.

The British MP was only taken to meet selected personalities in Jaffna, including the Bishop of Jaffna in addition to TNA parliamentarians.

Despite Mr. Wharton displaying interest in greeting the public, the visit looked like a ‘guided tour’ by Colombo, civil sources in Jaffna said.

The SL military governor of North, Maj. Gen. G.A. Chandrasri, has been blamed for the arrangements of the sophisticated ‘guided visits’ that seek to promote Colombo's so-called development of Tamil areas. Such visits intend to camouflage the systematic structural genocide being committed on Eezham Tamils in the name of ‘development’.

A similar trend was observed during the visit by a Canadian delegation on Monday this week.

In the meantime, Tamil civil officials have come under strict scrutiny for meeting foreign diplomats and visitors and are frequently reminded by the authorities in Colombo that foreign diplomats need to acquire permission in advance to meet SL government servants.

At the same time, the Sri Lankan military intelligence has also stepped up harassments, seeking information on civil society representatives who are in touch with foreign diplomats in Colombo.

The SL military establishment has conveyed subtle warnings to certain academics through the administrative hierarchy at the University of Jaffna, informed sources at the university told TamilNet.

Meanwhile, three lecturers and 8 student leaders have been named, allegedly by the SL military operatives, who gave printed death threats through an unknown motorbike squad that entered the premises of the University and put up the posters at various locations.

Chronology:

11.01.12  Jaffna GA wants SL police to investigate bloggers ..

07.01.12  SL military-led administration in North harasses T..

05.01.12  SL Military governor sabotages Jaffna GA meeting B..

Related Articles:
15.12.11   Death threat issued to 8 student activists, 3 lecturers of J..

UK Labour party calls for Sri Lanka's War Crimes investigations

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 October 2011, 18:57 GMT]
Speaking to Tamil supporters at a meeting during the Labour party conference Wednesday, Douglas Alexander MP, the British Shadow Foreign Secretary, said his party supports the establishment of an international commission to investigate the “acts of unconscionable violence” perpetrated in the final months of Sri Lanka’s armed conflict in 2009, a press release issued by the British group, Tamils for Labour. "Investigation held under international auspices was essential given that there are “profound concerns” regarding the independence, accountability and witness protection capacity of Sri Lanka’s domestic inquiry, the ‘Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission,’" Alexander further said, according to the release.

Douglas Alexander speaking

“I feel it is right, and after discussions with my shadow frontbench team, to say we are not convinced that this Commission can do its work even with international participation and there does need to be an international commission that looks into the evidence.”

Alexander also pledged to contact the British Foreign Secretary’s office regarding the recent decision of the UK Border Agency to deport 50 Tamils to Sri Lanka. “We need to be clear that the British Government has done its job in ensuring that these people are not going to be subjected to torture," Alexander said.

Sen Kandiah, chair of the Tamil support group

Alexander commended Channel 4 for displaying “the best of British journalism” in making the ‘Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields’ documentary, and said, it was incumbent on everyone to stand up justice and human rights. “The British Government and all of us [need] to ensure that we are in a position where if harms are going to be perpetrated they are avoided and where harms have taken place they are investigated and the perpetrators of that violence face justice,” Mr Alexander said.

Sen Kandiah, chair of the support group, Tamils for Labour, addressing the main conference, spoke of the unending despair of the Tamil people in their homeland and said those responsible for the killing of 40,000 Tamils should be held accountable.