Written By: Athithan Kurukulasingam
On December 11, 2013 a panel consisting of 11 high profile judges passed a judgement ruling that Sri Lanka had indeed committed the crime of genocide against the minority Tamils. The 11 member panel which was part of the Permanent Peoples Tribunal (PPT) also went on to declare that the United States and United Kingdom were also ruled to have been found guilty of complicity to this crime (Veerasingam, 2013). The fact that such a high profile tribunal came out with a conclusion of genocide should not go unnoticed. For years, Tamils all over the world have been calling out for an independent investigation by an accredited third party into the allegations of war crimes, unfortunately for the most part our cries have gone unnoticed. The Sri Lankan government also refused to cooperate and still refuses to cooperate to this day. This recent ruling should work favourably in our plight because it forces the hands of many of the great powers all over the globe. It can be argued that the most shocking aspect surrounds the second part of the ruling. The United States and the United Kingdom have been found guilty of complicity to the crime. For those of you who aren’t too familiar with this notion, complicity is defined in this situation as ” procuring means, such as weapons, instruments or any other means, used to commit genocide, with the accomplice knowing that such means would be used for such a purpose; complicity by knowingly aiding or abetting a perpetrator of a genocide in the planning or enabling acts,” (Veerasingam, 2013).
The cries of our people were for so long left unheard. Time after time, we were left with empty promises . While the world stood by, our people died on mass. This ruling not only is a smack in the face for all the democracies around the world, it also can carry legal ramifications to the countries involved. By committing complicity, these two great powers of the world did their part in the genocide that took place. India has long been accused of doing their part in the genocide and their involvement is still under investigation by the PPT. The blood of all our brothers and sisters are now also now on their hands as well and it is only a matter of time before all the perpetrators are brought to light.
I find that there is always a silver lining to situations and this recent ruling is no exception. Fundamental beliefs and core values of people usually never change and for the most part they stand by those very standards. The European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) although considered organizations are in fact made up of people like you and I and do have their own fundamental moral beliefs and values. For long, they have failed to protect the people of the world, Rwanda and Sri Lanka being just being two examples amongst the many. However, they now have the ability not to make up for their past mistakes but rather they can make sure nothing like this ever happens again.
Even to this day, Tamils in Sri Lanka are facing humanitarian problems and crimes against humanity are still taking place. The EU took a corrective measure in this monumental problem. “The EU has passed a resolution that states the United Nations should initiate an international investigation into allegations of violations of international humanitarian law, if Sri Lanka fails to start one itself, before March 2014” (Tamil Guardian, 2013). This ruling works favourably with the recent incidents that took place at the Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lanka. England’s Prime Minister chose to pressure the Sri Lankan government into allowing a credible and independent investigation into what happened in the past. These kind of rulings and resolutions are what the activists for change have been calling for. What we are now seeing is a new shift in thinking from the international community.
It is my belief that change does not take place overnight, steps have to be both calculated and effective. In order to bring change you have to continue to push the matter. You can’t stand on the sidelines and expect to lead a team. You have to be both active and involved. Now is the time for the international community to take further initiative. These recent landmark rulings have the international community on edge, they no longer can’t deny the claims to genocide. Their backs are against the wall and it is up to fellow Tamils all around the world to push forward. I have long held the opinion that the students are our future. The more we continue to push forward the more we can accomplish. It is up to us to be the change we wish to see in the future.
“The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role. You trade in your sense for an act. You give up your ability to feel, and in exchange, put on a mask. There can’t be any large-scale revolution until there’s a personal revolution, on an individual level. It’s got to happen inside first.”
― Jim Morrison
Bibliography
Tamil Guardian. (2013, December 13). EU Parliament sets March 2014 deadline. Retrieved December 13, 2013, from Tamil Guardian: http://www.tamilguardian.com/article.asp?articleid=9489
Veerasingam, R. (2013, December 11). Sri Lanka guilty of genocide against Tamils with UK, US complicity: PPT rules. Retrieved December 16, 2013, from JDS: http://www.jdslanka.org/index.php/2012-01-30-09-30-42/human-rights/426-sri-lanka-guilty-of-genocide-against-tamils-with-uk-us-complicity-ppt-rules
Tags: Speak Out, Tamil History/Culture
