UK welcomes passing of resolution and calls for more action

by Biranavan
Mar 23, 2021

Dominic Rabb - Foreign Secretary 

British ministers and diplomats have welcomed the adoption of the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on accountability for mass atrocities committed in Sri Lanka, with Foreign Secretary Dominic Rabb noting that "the UK, UN and international community are rightfully concerned about human rights in Sri Lanka".

Rabb added that resolution pushes for "progress on justice, accountability and reconciliation" 

Speaking to the Tamil Guardian MP Elliot Colburn and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT) called the adoption of the resolution a "step in the right direction for achieving accountability and justice" and called on the international community to take further "unilateral action to support the resolution".

“I am very pleased [with] the resolution sponsored by the United Kingdom on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka has been adopted by the UN Human Rights Council. This is a step in the right direction for achieving accountability and justice. Now is the time for the international community, led by the United Kingdom, to take unilateral action to support the resolution as recommended by the UN High Commissioner for Sri Lanka.” 

The United Kingdom was a primary penholder of the resolution and tabled it alongside the core group, which includes Canada, Germany, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Malawi. The resolution was described as weakened by Tamil parliamentarians and civil society members as it fell short of demands made by Tamils and the UN High Commissioner, which include a proposed referral of Sri Lanka to the ICC on charges of genocide and for member states to consider unilateral sanctions.

British Minister of State Foreign Commonwealth and Development affairs Tariq Ahmad, the British High Commissioner for Sri Lanka Sarah Hulton and the UK Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations Julian Braithwaite also welcomed the resolution. 

Sarah Hulton expanded that the resolution builds on “achievements to date in accountability and reconciliation” and the resolution focuses on improving the human right situation in Sri Lanka.

Tariq Ahmad welcomed the resolution as one which will “provide a framework to improve human rights, advance justice for victims and deliver lasting peace and reconciliation”

Julian Braithwaite, the UK representative at the United Nations delivered the statement on behalf of the core group. He noted that the resolution reflects the High Commissioners findings “that the human rights situation has deteriorated, with particular concern for human rights defenders and civil society space and members of different ethnic and religious communities including Tamils, Muslims and Christians.”

He adds,

“ independent institutions have become weakened and impunity has become more entrenched as progress in emblematic cases have stalled. Some of those who had sought to pursue justice and advance accountability through the national courts have found themselves persecuted and in one case imprisoned. While others who were convicted or suspected of large-scale violations have been pardoned and promoted”.

Concluding his statement he noted that the core group brings this resolution “in the hope that it will advance the human rights of all communities” and “most importantly that it will help prevent the reoccurrence of past grave violations, which the High Commissioner reports warns this council about in such clear terms“, furthermore he noted the core groups “regret that an agreement could not be met with Sri Lanka during the four informal meetings on the draft resolution” but believe it provides the “best framework to support justice and lasting reconciliation and address the most critical human rights challenges”.

Julian Braithwaite expressed the importance of the continued “scrutiny of human rights” in Sri Lanka by the UNHRC

 

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Tamil asylum seekers in Australia mark 100 days of continuous protests for permanent visas

Over 200 refugees and supporters marked a significant milestone by marching 10 kilometers from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office to the Immigration Minister’s office this week, commemorating 100 days of continuous protest.

This demonstration, which culminated in a rally and speeches in Punchbowl, highlighted the plight of refugees denied permanent visas for over 12 years. Speakers at the event shed light on the profound impact of the current system, including barriers to higher education, employment, and access to essential services.

The protest has now entered its 100th day, with Tamil asylum seekers and their supporters continuing their relentless demand for permanent protection. For 38 days, they camped outside Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke’s office in Sydney, calling on the government to end the visa limbo that has left many without basic rights and stability. Tamil asylum seekers have been in Australia for over a decade, living on short-term visas that must be renewed regularly. Without permanent residency, they are excluded from Medicare—Australia’s universal health insurance scheme—and are denied the right to work, study, travel, or access essential services. Many are also required to report to visa offices weekly.

The crisis is compounded by the controversial 'Fast Track' system introduced in 2014 by the Abbott government. According to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, this system has resulted in the rejection of around 8,500 asylum seekers' cases. It specifically targets individuals who sought asylum by sea and arrived in Australia between August 13, 2012, and December 31, 2013. Tamil asylum seekers, stuck in visa limbo for years, have launched protests nationwide, with 24-hour encampments in Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane.

Amaran - Problematic propaganda

amaran

The genre of war epic makes its grand re-entry to Tamil cinema with director Rajkumar Periasamy’s sophomore feature film, ‘Amaran.’ As is often the case with this genre, one cannot help but feel the events of the ‘true story’ onscreen have been heavily modified for easy consumption.

 

 

 

The patriotic military films of Tamil cinema had taken a back seat for a while. The subject matter is now seldom a prominent theme of a film, instead lurking in the shadows peeking through such as via the heroes in the works of Nelson Dilipkumar. The genre of war epic makes its grand re-entry to Tamil cinema with director Rajkumar Periasamy’s sophomore feature film, ‘Amaran.’ As is often the case with this genre, one cannot help but feel the events of the ‘true story’ onscreen have been heavily modified for easy consumption.

The film follows the tale of Major Mukund Varadarajan (Sivakarthikeyan) and his partner Indhu Rebecca Varghese (Sai Pallavi), who meet at college and soon become lovers. Indhu grapples with her lover’s life ambition of becoming a soldier for the Indian army, admiring his courage and more than willing to become his doting wife at home. We then watch as Mukund is stationed in Kashmir and follow along with his various missions in the volatile area. The film’s depiction of the Indian army is one solely made up of heroes rescuing civilians and looking out for the public’s interests. It is not necessary to delve too much into why this is an oversimplified and problematic portrayal.

The central performances by Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi carry the almost three hour film adequately. Despite moments where Sivakarthikeyan lacks the intensity to land highly emotional scenes, the pair deftly share the screen between them, with Pallavi picking up any slack. Another notable performance comes from Geetha Kailasam, a character actor who has featured in many films recently in the role of ‘the mother.’ ‘Amaran’ gives her another opportunity to showcase her own humorous brand of motherhood.

Technically, the film runs smoothly. The film is decently shot and edited. Other than a few overly melodramatic moments, the screenplay is solid, albeit a little superficial. GV Prakash Kumar continues his trend of matching the quality of the film with the quality of his music. The track ‘Hey Minnale’ is an earworm, but the rest of the score and soundtrack does not shine through.

Overall, ‘Amaran’ is a straightforward piece of propaganda. A shot in ‘Amaran’ depicts a soldier of the Indian army blocking a closing door with his rifle. On the other side of the door is a Kashmiri child. To appease the child, the soldier sneaks a chocolate bar through the gap in the doorway. The reverse of this tactic is what director Rajkumar Periasamy employs to hook his audience in: the sweetness of the Penelope-Odysseus relationship between Mukund and Indhu hides the intrusion of the weapon of jingoist ideology. 

Krishna's rating: 2.5 stars

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Official trailer for film below.

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