The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) an organization which represents the interests of expatriate Tamil Canadians, held a ‘Tamil Solidarity Week for Peace’ from May 8 to May 14.
The event was held to “bring together Tamil Canadians and other peace-loving Canadians to express their solidarity and support for finding lasting peace in Sri Lanka,” said Mr. David Poobalapillai a spokesperson for the CTC.
“Canada’s recent decision to proscribe one party of the peace process, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), has dealt a blow for the prospects for peace in Sri Lanka and placed the lives of our relatives and loved ones in NorthEast in grave danger,” Mr. Poobalapillai said.
“The delicate balance of power that was critical in maintaining the Ceasefire has been upset by the Canadian Government’s ill-conceived decision to blacklist one of the parties in the peace process,” the CTC spokesperson said.
“Canada’s decision has also emboldened the Sri Lankan military and Sinhala hardliners to step up the violence against Tamil civilians in an attempt to provoke a new war,” he further said.
According to the CTC, Tamil Solidarity Week was also intended to highlight how the ban has infringed on fundamental rights and freedoms of Canadian Tamils.
“The Tamil community is being slandered and portrayed in a negative light in the media. At places of work and educational institutions, Tamils are increasingly subject to suspicion and scrutiny. The ban has curtailed community’s regular activities and this has profoundly aggrieved us,” the Congress said.
CTC requested Canadian Tamils to display black flags and pins in their automobiles, homes and business establishments in a show of solidarity during the week.
Tamil youth organisations, alumni associations, women’s organizations, senior’s organizations, sports clubs, leading Tamil Canadian intellectuals and professionals, and the Canadian Tamil Media Forum participated and organised events throughout the week.
Speaking at an inaugural event at Delta Toronto East Hotel in Toronto, Ms. Barbara Jackman a prominent immigration lawyer said that the Canadian Government’s decision “sends a message to Canadians that you should not be supporting any, even the political objectives of the Tamil cause to self-determination.”
According to Ms. Jackman, the decision by the Canadian Government changes the dynamics in Sri Lanka. “What it does especially at this time of the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka - it gives the Sri Lankan government an upper edge,” Ms. Jackman said.
“Tamils need to educate others on the oppression taken against Tamils and increasing series of violence since the 50s. It is clear that the Conservative Government does not know much about the Tamil community - does not understand the conflict in Sri Lanka,” Ms. Jackman added.
Marlys Edwardh, a prominent criminal lawyer in Canada a partner of Edwardh & Ruby said, “The Government of Canada made a – what has been a very political choice to list the LTTE as a terrorist organization under Canadian Law.” Speaking on the culture of fear that has gripped the community since the series of raids that followed Canada’s decision, Edwardh said, “We need to look more closely into this legislation and understand the impact on the community in order to reduce uncertainty and fear to act and speak freely.”
“What was taken and why? Why would [RCMP] officers take subscriptions list to a community newspaper? Why would they make it difficult for an independent newspaper to function? Whose voice are they trying to silence?” Edwardh asked in a series of penetrating questions to the audience
Tarek Fatah of the Muslim Canadian Congress said, “You cannot sanctify, legitimize, politify these whims at [parliament] hill with impunity. You send your super sonic jet fighters to bombard Tamil villages and then accuse the victims of that bombardment as terrorists and leave the government that bombed the people as law-bidding.” “Those who fight for freedom cannot be stigmatized as terrorists,” Mr. Fatah further observed.
Community activist Gary Anandasangaree said, “This is not the Canada we are familiar with.”
Mr. Anandasangaree announced that a “Tamil Canadian Legal Defense Fund” will be established to protect Tamil Canadians and hotline will be made available and cases of rights violations in Canada will be documented.
The event was held to “bring together Tamil Canadians and other peace-loving Canadians to express their solidarity and support for finding lasting peace in Sri Lanka,” said Mr. David Poobalapillai a spokesperson for the CTC.
“Canada’s recent decision to proscribe one party of the peace process, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), has dealt a blow for the prospects for peace in Sri Lanka and placed the lives of our relatives and loved ones in NorthEast in grave danger,” Mr. Poobalapillai said.
“The delicate balance of power that was critical in maintaining the Ceasefire has been upset by the Canadian Government’s ill-conceived decision to blacklist one of the parties in the peace process,” the CTC spokesperson said.
“Canada’s decision has also emboldened the Sri Lankan military and Sinhala hardliners to step up the violence against Tamil civilians in an attempt to provoke a new war,” he further said.
According to the CTC, Tamil Solidarity Week was also intended to highlight how the ban has infringed on fundamental rights and freedoms of Canadian Tamils.
“The Tamil community is being slandered and portrayed in a negative light in the media. At places of work and educational institutions, Tamils are increasingly subject to suspicion and scrutiny. The ban has curtailed community’s regular activities and this has profoundly aggrieved us,” the Congress said.
CTC requested Canadian Tamils to display black flags and pins in their automobiles, homes and business establishments in a show of solidarity during the week.
Tamil youth organisations, alumni associations, women’s organizations, senior’s organizations, sports clubs, leading Tamil Canadian intellectuals and professionals, and the Canadian Tamil Media Forum participated and organised events throughout the week.
Speaking at an inaugural event at Delta Toronto East Hotel in Toronto, Ms. Barbara Jackman a prominent immigration lawyer said that the Canadian Government’s decision “sends a message to Canadians that you should not be supporting any, even the political objectives of the Tamil cause to self-determination.”
According to Ms. Jackman, the decision by the Canadian Government changes the dynamics in Sri Lanka. “What it does especially at this time of the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka - it gives the Sri Lankan government an upper edge,” Ms. Jackman said.
“Tamils need to educate others on the oppression taken against Tamils and increasing series of violence since the 50s. It is clear that the Conservative Government does not know much about the Tamil community - does not understand the conflict in Sri Lanka,” Ms. Jackman added.
Marlys Edwardh, a prominent criminal lawyer in Canada a partner of Edwardh & Ruby said, “The Government of Canada made a – what has been a very political choice to list the LTTE as a terrorist organization under Canadian Law.” Speaking on the culture of fear that has gripped the community since the series of raids that followed Canada’s decision, Edwardh said, “We need to look more closely into this legislation and understand the impact on the community in order to reduce uncertainty and fear to act and speak freely.”
“What was taken and why? Why would [RCMP] officers take subscriptions list to a community newspaper? Why would they make it difficult for an independent newspaper to function? Whose voice are they trying to silence?” Edwardh asked in a series of penetrating questions to the audience
Tarek Fatah of the Muslim Canadian Congress said, “You cannot sanctify, legitimize, politify these whims at [parliament] hill with impunity. You send your super sonic jet fighters to bombard Tamil villages and then accuse the victims of that bombardment as terrorists and leave the government that bombed the people as law-bidding.” “Those who fight for freedom cannot be stigmatized as terrorists,” Mr. Fatah further observed.
Community activist Gary Anandasangaree said, “This is not the Canada we are familiar with.”
Mr. Anandasangaree announced that a “Tamil Canadian Legal Defense Fund” will be established to protect Tamil Canadians and hotline will be made available and cases of rights violations in Canada will be documented.
