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‘UNHRC resolution far short of our expectations’

25 Feb 2021

  • Wigneswaran disappointed by absence of International Criminal Court action

  The alleged human rights violations during the last stages of the Sri Lankan civil war in 2009 are currently being discussed at the 46th United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session in Geneva, held virtually this year. The “Core Group of Countries for Sri Lanka” (The UK, Canada, Germany, Montenegro, and North Macedonia) are moving a resolution against Sri Lanka regarding the issue. Tamil civil society leaders, politicians, and the community have joined in the call for action, laying out their demands and expectations from the UNHRC. The Morning spoke to Former Northern Province Chief Minister parliamentarian and current leader of the Thamizh Makkal Thesya Kootani (TMTK) C.V. Wigneswaran, known for his radical views on Sri Lanka’s ethnic context, about the changes the Tamil community and its political leaders are expecting at this year’s UNHRC session. The following are excerpts of the interview.   Do you expect any concrete change at this year’s UNHRC session in Geneva, considering the years of prolonged debates? It depends on the lobbying done by Sri Lanka. They have very successfully lied to the international community so far. The High Commissioner for Human Rights has seen through their modus operandi so far and come out with a strong and truthful report. There is no reason why member countries may still not be mesmerised by Sri Lanka’s lies and prevarications. But our hope is there should be concrete change in favour of the victims.   What exact actions has the TMTK taken with regard to the ongoing UNHRC session? What is the exact position of the TMTK with regard to the draft resolution released by the Core Group? We have been trying to get the truth of what happened at the end of the war across to those who matter internationally. Our work has had good effects. The draft was a pitiable document. No mention of the International Criminal Court (ICC), International, Independent, and Impartial Mechanism (IIIM) nor Referendum. It falls far short of our expectations.   What do you think of the High Commissioner for the UNHRC Michelle Bachalet’s report and the Government’s response to it? She has understood the real situation in Sri Lanka to a great extent. Her report was encouraging. The Government is prevaricating as usual. They are closing their eyes like the proverbial cat and thinking the world is dark. The Government will suddenly be jolted to open their eyes.   What are your thoughts on the Government’s approach at this year’s UNHRC session? Foolish and dangerous. Even if they manage to fool the international community this time, their karma will catch up on them soon. And you cannot fool all people all the time. The Government is behaving so in order to maintain its vote bank and not with the future of the country in mind. Their approach would lead our country to the brink of disaster.   Do you think action, 12 years after the end of the war, is necessary? What sort of action are you expecting considering the time lapse? What sort of action does the community need and should prioritise? I have known of families wantonly wiped out by the military leaving just one or two members of the family alive. Some of them needed psychiatric healing. Could they forget what happened to their dear ones 12 years ago? Could their other kith and kin forget? The reason why successive governments are delaying action of any sort in favour of the victims is because they know one of you might ask such questions from the victims or their representatives. Where is it said after a period of time a criminal would be found to be innocent by the law? The action expected is charging the wrong doers and getting justice for those killed wantonly against all human norms. The community needs justice and reparation, not necessarily punishment. I have said that if a feasible solution would be forthcoming for the Tamil speaking community as a whole, we could talk to the victims. The arrogance of politicians would not entertain such suggestions. They prefer to be punished by destiny or karma in due course. Time does not heal the wrong doers. It comes with greater fury against them in due course! Slobodan Milosevic for example! After all, real reconciliation is possible only when the Sinhalese and the Tamils know what has happened during the war. This is possible only through an international independent inquiry. Importantly action is needed to prevent recurrence of crimes.   What are your thoughts on the current actions of the government? Do you think concerns of the minority are adequately listened to? Has the human rights situation and minority grievances worsened with the change of government, and since 2009? Foolish and dangerous as I said earlier. Militarising might make the powers that be happy and powerful. As time passes, it would lead to greater calamities and therefore grief. And power corrupts. Absolute power would no doubt corrupt absolutely. We the Tamil speaking, are the majority in the North and East, even now after all the Sinhala colonisation from the time of independence. We are not minorities. Neither we nor the others who are minorities could get our concerns across to the echelons of power. They have already made up their minds that our problems are only economic and that they could throw some crumbs and get us under control. Further, they are dreaming of a Sinhala Buddhist country. Hence their ears are deaf. Of course the human rights situation and minority grievances are many more. Yes. Since 2009 it is getting steadily worse. How can the Government which claims that this is a Sinhala Buddhist Country and that there is no ethnic problem listen to our problems?   What have your communications with the diaspora revealed about their current demands and approaches? They have realistic approaches. They have a legitimate expectation that our people should live with the right of self – determination in the North East. They will continue to fight in political and diplomatic ways. After all ours is a struggle for the very existence of the Tamil race in Sri Lanka. We need to fight against the fate that befell the Burghers. Our diaspora is well aware of our situation.   What are your thoughts on the government’s approach with India at the moment? Again, foolish and dangerous. You cannot threaten one powerful person by flirting with another powerful person. At a certain time both will pounce upon you. I doubt the foxiness of the Government will work with the Narendra Modi Government.   Do you think the Tamil minority parties are adequately addressing the needs of the community? Is there a disconnect between the Tamil political leaders and the grassroots politicians they represent? Now they have realised their follies and are thinking of joint action on behalf of the people they represent. The hitherto Colombo based Tamil leaders are getting to realise the folly of living apart from those whom they represent. There is more collaboration now between the Tamil leaders and their constituencies.   What is the position of the TMTK with regard to the recently concluded Pottuvil to Point Pedro protest? We too took part. But, we kept a low profile in deference to the expectations of the organisers led by Velan Swami who wanted politicians to take a rear seat. We welcome the demonstration wholeheartedly and look forward to such North-East, Muslim-Christian-Hindu collaborations and party alliances on important matters concerning the victim community.

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