This is an article I came across, it highlights on an important issue; that the voices of resistance are silenced in Sri-Lanka by the Sri-Lankan Government, thus, the international community and medias have a greater responsibility to speak out against oppression and human rights violations. Makes sense right, if those who are speaking out against atrocities in Sri-Lanka are being targeted, then we, the international community need to work twice as hard, one for those who are being silenced in Sri-Lanka, and one as our duty. I love Martin Luther King Jr.’s quotes, “Our lives began to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” And, it’s quite true- we should not just wake up everyday, go to work/school, and come home and spend some time on the internet, some with our family and go to bed. There is no meaning in that over the long term, we need to make our lives meaningful by helping another human as much as we can. It’s not something we should do as a favour, but as a responsibility. Because frankly., in a world like this, we do not know when our time for needing help will come. If everyone took it as their duty and responsibility to help one another, and speak up against oppression, then the world would be a much better place. If you were in the situation of the thousands of unfortunate Tamils in Sri-Lanka, would you not want the international community to do something? Yes, you would. “We cannot be free, unless our neighbour is free.”
I highly recommend this article.
– Raj
Excerpt of the Article:
By Peter Mountford, Special to The Times
In post-civil war Sri Lanka, where democratic institutions are more imperiled than ever, the international press has a vital role to play — even more important than the diplomatic efforts of our governments — in forcing greater transparency and accountability.
I just spent two weeks in Sri Lanka and whenever I sat down with someone in Colombo to ask their opinion of the country’s political situation, they’d scan the room, lean in close, and ask if we could talk off the record. When I called opposition journalists they demurred, and suggested that we meet in person. They wouldn’t say it out loud, but my driver did: “The phones are all tapped,” he explained with refreshing bluntness.
I asked if he thought my phone at the Hilton might be bugged. He bobbled his head vaguely, hesitating, and said, “Well … “
This was an example of what Kesara Abeywardena, a journalist from The Daily Mirror — the closest thing there is to an independent newspaper on the island — referred to as Sri Lanka’s “culture of self-censorship.” Abeywardena used to write a political column, but decided it would be better to broaden his focus.
Read Full Article Here:
“Sri Lanka’s human-rights and free-speech problems need international attention,” The Seattle Times Company
Photo also from Seattle Times Company
Tags: Speak Out
