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British Tamils held a demonstration outside the residence of the British Prime Minister, to protest against the forthcoming visit by Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapaksa.
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Rajapaksa was invited to take part in the Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations.
The Tamil Coordinating Committee – UK handed a petition to officials at No 10 Downing Street, calling on the British Government to withdraw the invitation extended to Rajapakse.
The TCC-UK petition questioned the UK’s commitment to human rights.
“Given that the UK is privy to several reports by reputable human rights groups on the nature and scale of international crimes committed by the Sri Lankan armed forces, of which Mr Rajapaksa is the Commander in Chief, Eelam Tamils are puzzled by apparent lapse in the vetting procedure.”
“That Sri Lankan troops under the direct command of Mr Rajapaksa, his brother the Defense Secretary, Gothabaya Rajapaksa, and the Army Chief, Sarath Fonseka, murdered more than 40,000 Eelam Tamil civilians and made disappear more then 147, 000 is widely acknowledged in international circles, including the March 2011 report of a United Nations Experts Panel.”
"In this backdrop, the decision of the UK government to allow such an individual to join the celebrations raises fresh questions on the UK’s commitment to human rights.”
Eezham Tamils protest UK inviting Rajapaksa to Queen’s diamond jubilee - TamilNet (27 May 2012)
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