Bob Rae: "If this is how they treat me, imagine how they treat people who can't speak out"
"...after thirty years of public service at home and abroad I have to say this decision reflects on them, and not on me."
Personal statement by Hon. Bob Rae PC, MP, on being refused entry into Sri Lanka at the Colombo Airport:
On the evening of Tuesday, June 9, 2009, I arrived on a flight from Delhi to Colombo, Sri Lanka. I had successfully applied to the Sri Lankan High Commission for a visa and had discussed my visit with the Sri Lankan Commissioner, the Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and with officials from DFAIT.
[Liberal MP Bob Rae is seen in this December 2008 photo-TorontoStar]
When I arrived at immigration in the company of two Canadian High Commission officials, I was, after some delay, told that I was being refused entry "on the grounds of national intelligence."
Since that time I have spent over twelve hours at the airport trying to find a reason for this decision. I have had the full support of officials here and in Ottawa. The Government of Sri Lanka is sticking to its position, and I am being put on a plane to London at 1:15 p.m. Sri Lankan time. I shall be back in Canada some time Thursday.
I have been involved in Sri Lanka for over a decade, first as Chairman of the Forum of Federations, and later as a Member of Parliament. I have travelled extensively throughout the country, and have met many times with its political leaders, of all parties. During the peace process I obviously met with LTTE officials who were involved in those discussions.
I also met with all political parties, with a wide spectrum of opinions. My many trips to Sri Lanka, and my work in Canada as well as the peace process post 2001 were intended to work to a peaceful solution. To that end I have met with people of all views. I have never in any way felt that the violent tactics of the LTTE were in any way the right course, and I have made that view known on many occasions, including debates in parliament. To describe me as "an LTTE supporter," as an Army spokesman has done today, is a lie, pure and simple.
A review of my record would also show that I have been a champion of moderate Tamil opinion and Tamil dissent. I have been a steady critic of the abuses of human rights that were part of the LTTE's tactics, and have spoken about this unhesitatingly in Canada and abroad. I spoke at memorial services for both Lakshman Kadirgarmar, the former Foreign Minister, and Ketesh Loganathan, who worked at the Sri Lankan peace secretariat, both of whom were personal friends.
I am clearly not welcome here to discuss the humanitarian situation and the future of reconciliation in this country. But the government of Sri Lanka knew my views, and granted me a visa. I have flown a very long way only to be told the door is firmly shut.
The Sri Lankan government has made this decision because they have apparently reached some ill-conceived and defamatory conclusions about me. But after thirty years of public service at home and abroad I have to say this decision reflects on them, and not on me. I have fought against violence and extremism all my life. Everyone knows that, and the record of my actions, speeches and reports is there for all to see.
What they now also know is that the government of Sri Lanka is afraid of dialogue, afraid of discussion, afraid of engagement. All I can say is shame on them. If this is how they treat me, imagine how they treat people who can't speak out and who can't make public statements.
I shall have more to say on my return to Canada.
50 Comments
Will Canada permit Bob Rae to enter into Canada?
Now, he has been proved as a Tiger terrorist/supporter by our friendly country SriLanka.
Will Canada send Bob to US for an interrogation?
These are questions to be answered by our esteemed Prime Minister Honourable Stephan Harper.
Until such time we have to wait
Dear Mr. Rae,
Do accept our apologies. Pls do not be cross with all Sri Lankans. Moderate voices of reconciliation are a luxury in this beautiful island, at the moment.
"....All I can say is shame on them. If this is how they treat me, imagine how they treat people who can't speak out and who can't make public statements...."
My question is why did you take so long to come to this conclusion?
The moment any one chooses to run a country with the help of an emergency law, that country already lost its all democratic values. This is my opinion
"The government of Sri Lanka is afraid of dialogue, afraid of discussion, afraid of engagement."
This is clear evidence of a paranoid government running the country. I fear for the welfare of not just the Tamils, but many thousands of peace loving Sinhalese.
Any Sri Lankan celebrating at this time better stop and rethink where the country is headed
The sri lanka government is not personally against Hon. Bob Rae. It is only worried - 'terrified' may be better word - about what he will discover about what happened during the last days of the war, and what is happening now in the IDP camps, from the IDPs themselves - and, also about the 'white vans', assaults/disappearances/killings not only in the northeast, but all over the country,from persons who endured them and their friends/relatives and opposition politicians, media & and civic groups.
Even UNHRC and ICRC have been given only "limited" ( their wording ) access to the camps and are not allowed to speak personally with IDPs.
it is a sad indication that after 30 years of public service, Bob Rae has failed to weigh rights from wrong and differentiate a terrorist from freedom fighter.
Bob Rae can make any amount of statements yet he is a politician who either hook or by crook want his votes to get elected.
Therefore, he will stoop to any level and do whatever it takes to get elected to the parliament.
in this process he has not cared whether he threads on any sovereign state.
Mr. Rae its time you knew that these Immigration fraternities whether it be canada or Sri Lanka or anywhere, hardly provides explanations for their actions.
You have done everything it appears by the book but you failed to nail the tigers cos of their sympathysers vote.
What goes round comes to haunt you.
A rhodes scholar,a world renowned constitutional lawyer,an ex premier of Ontario,and the current foreign affairs critic of the official opposition party of Canada was deported by the military junta of Srilanka.What a joke?
Are Mahinda and company smoking some thing?Must be a really strong stuff.Unless they are detached from reality,they would not have resorted to some thing really,really stupid act like this.High time the Srilankan representatives in Canada were kicked out,earlier the better.Siva
MR.Bob,you are a Pro-LTTE activist and you only heard one sided story about SL. You came here not to see what SL government need or to help SL government at this hour to tacle this IDP problem, but to take some photograps,video clips of IDP's and help to LTTE propaganda machine to distribute more lies about so called discrimination, world over.
At least try to persuade your government to help build the railway line to North and provide few diesel engines and compartments[even discarded ones,cos we can repair it] if you're so interest about tamils in SL. Because the trains are the most convenient mode of tansportation in SL especially tamils in North.
Not surprising and what we have been saying all along about this third rate government. Now its colours are really showing. Hope the international community will at least now realise what is happening here under the cloak of the 'War on Terrorism' and 'Sovereignity'. Perhaps deporting a Sri Lankan diplomat or two will drive the message home.
In general,no offense but I think all these foreign delegates are useless and stupid because they should have known better about the past and current situation of Sri Lanka.
You should have known better too from what happened to the Canadian embassy, got attached big time in the day light by tugs backed by the government?
Suppression and oppression is what i see in Sri Lanka?
Swedish Foregin Minster was rejected from entering the country for no reason, had no connection at all to the LTTE as far as i know, so you imagine what will happen to those who had little association with the LTTE.
Mr Eric Solheim was never "All for" the LTTE, he too criticized LTTE's methods and i don't think any of these guys supported a seperate nation. There was a firm assurance that SL will never be separated by ANYONE even the LTTE agreed upon that.
So why are they still witch hunting?
Why there is no transparency/openness/media freedom in a democratic (supposedly ) country?
Any hidden agenda's?
Mr.Solheim was involved in so much of good work (Lets say) to bring peace to SL that now he will never be allowed back to SL.
Why?
Is Mr.Milaband is a white tiger now? Really? Wonder what happens when he becomes the Prime minister of UK? A terrorist supporter is a UK's PM...Doesn't this sounds stupid?
My advice is that if you want to put some pressure on the failed state or help the oppressed and the suppressed, please go to US and talk with Obama administration to bring SL to the knee of DEMOCRACY.
No guarantees yet, but u could try. If nothing happens and you are still keen, threat them with the action of "Lifting of ban on LTTE" .
Now thats a real threat and might save your time traveling.
Mr Rae, I am no big fan of violence (In fact I believe violence is a dead end like Obama mentioned) but when the UN and the international community fails, people have less choice and will never trust a failed state neither. This is a real worry to all of us, PEOPLE.
You don't have to be a Thomas A Edison to know that? Do you?
If you wanna do something, please hurry and bring about a solution before Mr.Fonseka (the general of SL army) takes control of Sri Lanka and allow China to dominate in this important region of yours and ours.
Certinly we do not want SL to become China/Cuba/Zimbabwe/ETC..NEITHER DO YOU?
For the sake of democracy, I urge all the western leaders to do something constructive rather than wasting your time and energy to find "door is firmly shut"
Forget about INDIA because they are so indulged in money making business, will never be able to control their backyard. In fact, neither Tamils nor the Sinhalese have faith in them. How sad!
India = Useless biggest democratic country in the world.One can hope that they will learn sooner rather than later.
Nevertheless your effort is much appreciated by all the peace loving people in Sri Lanka.
When I read what Mr. Rae has stated, I found that he has only spoken about Tamils in Sri Lanka. To him Sinhalese have never been a concern. How sad! Now, Sri Lanka is the home of Sinhalese as well as Tamils and Muslims and Malays and Bughers. Ah! by the way he forgot, Muslims, Malays and Burghers, too. What a pity. Oh! it tells me that his electorate consists of Candians and Tamils of Sri Lankan/LTTE origin only.
I think Mr. Rae is trying to get himself re-elected to whatever parliament when he should take retirement allowing another, younger Canadian to do a better job of whatever these politicians of the Milli-Vanilli type do.
Anyway, the West is fast losing its bearings and it is better for Sri Lankans living in Canada to call it a day. There is no better time to live in Paradise than now!
Mr. Bob,
Please realise this, Our government is not bending to you people or to the countries who supports terrorisum and make a note on that please. We know who you are.. So we will take care of our people.
Remember this, as a nation we are very proude
The Sri Lankan Govt is becoming more insecure day by day. They are becoming scared of any person who has something to do with the tamils- & their justifiable aspiratitions. Even a ship with food for IDP was returned because its coming from the tamils in UK.
No wonder Mahinda couldnt get a proper invitation from any country in the world - other than the Junta controlled Burma. His first vist after the so called victory after massacring 20,000 innocent civilian who were its own citizens. The way things are going - with its misguided pride- Sri lanka is bound to become a Military state with a dictator.to ruin the country further.....
So in essense what Bob Rae says is correct- Just imagine the state of an ordinary northern tamil's fate in that cursed land??????
rana !
We don't need trains from Canada. First we need liberty, justice, freedom and dignity for ALL.
You are a pathetic example of a chauvinist racist Sri Lankan, and why the Tamils should be afraid of what is to come.
I'm sorry to pick you personally, but the future of Sri Lanka looks very bleak because of people like you.
This is a very sad situation. You know, Now Sri Lanka is a terrorist free country. Only Canada and few other European countries accommodate LTTE sympathizers. Like in Canada, Those countries too are allowing to LTTE activist to carryout their work in their countries. They also banded LTTE.. Now Sri Lanka and the world clearly identified the real terrorist behind LTTE and other terrorist organizations around the world. They know how they are making money by spreading terrorism. (Increasing insurance with the help of terrorist organizations such as LTTE and Somali pirates, etc) If you really want to visit This paradise Island, Cut your tiger tail and come back again.
WELL DONE SRI LANKA.
Finally we are starting to put these TERROR-CODDLING WHITE LIBERALS in their place. Inagine the SHEER ARRAGONCE of this person to preach against our Country then land on our shores and expect the Royal Treatment? How amaazing to see a person like this carry this Air of Superiority abou them and try waltz into our Country after trying to put pressure on us to tell us how to run our own affairs. The Government Did the right thing in Humiliating this Canadian Clown. GOOD RIDDENCE BOB RAE.... PLEASE DON'T EVERY TRY TO COME BACK TO OUR COUNTRY AGAIN. YOU ARE NOT WELCOME.
*** Do accept our apologies. Pls do not be cross with all Sri Lankans. ***
It is amazing to see that to this day people like this Dayan John have the HOUSE-NEGRO SERVANT MENTALITY.... You people are still just itching to Bow before your former COLONIAL BWANAS...
Mr. Rae you messed up the lives of Ontarians and now you want to do the same for Sri Lankans.
I think now every body knows what is going on to Tamils and SLG'S LIES.also SLG did reject AID SHIP, but they cring for help.They did fool the whole world.
He worked on proposals to create a federal state as a means to peacefully end decades of ethnic bloodshed.
This is the only reason Mr.Rae was not given permission to enter Sri Lanka. GOSL is a failed democratic state, therefore now is the time to western countries to take appropriate action against this Country. Either western countries should consider LTTE as a freedom fighters or all the tamils should be considered as terrorist.
GOSL must be planning to wipe out tamils in Sri Lanka. Mr.Rae worked on proposals to create a federal state as a means to peacefully end decades of ethnic bloodshed.
Now GOSL must have decided to block any proposal to resolve the ethinic issue. GOSL is a failed democratic state. What do you expect from them ?
This is not a wise move. What else can you expect from a criminal regime? I guess, the present Sinhala regime in Colombo may be counting too much on China/India/Russia!
Sinhala chauvinists at http://defence.lk are totally in control of Sri Lanka
China is totally in control of http://defence.lk
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2009/06/137_46567.html
http://www.lankamission.org/content/view/2283/1
It is so true "If this is how they treat me, imagine how they treat people who can't speak out"
This is what we, Tamils were telling the world time after time. All went without heard. Now SL has allied with China more. SL is not Mianmar or Zimbabwe. SL will be a headache for the world in the years to come. Many countries definitely will blame India for a 'Historical Blunder', it made in SL.
This issue also appeared here:http://conflictresearch.blogspot.com/2009/06/closing-doors-to-bob-rae-paranoia-of.html
What the Sri Lankan authorities have done is a complete disgrace. Some commenters here have said that Mr Rae is a pro-Tiger analyst & that he heard only one side of the story.
Well, if this is really the case, it was essential to receive him with due diplomatic privileges at Katunayake, talk to him, exchange ideas and express the government's stance on what it has done, is doing and will do.
The Rajapakse administration is unavailable for dialogue, and its very adamant nature shows that it has a great deal to hide, a lot of black spots to cover up. By all means, it is a despotic and totalitarian regime, and Sri Lankans (of all ethnic groups) need to distance themselves from the 'war victory euphoria') and see things in a clearer light. After all, this rejection only shows their 'fear' of the senior Canadian politician. They see a 'threat' in a 61-year-old jet-lagged elderly man - anyone who supports the Rajapakse government - please think a second, how desperate & cowardly is that?
As thinking Sri Lankans, we definitely owe an apology to MP Rae.
another one of those 'look we know they terrorise but...' crappies. anything associated with a terror outfit even in thought is a time waster. keep in mind he was flagged in a terror database. how many more crappies fall in this category? those that have, best to forget summer holiday in golden beaches of trinco.
Bob Rae, Bill Clinton, Colin Powell - no one can go where we don't want you to go. If we want to show you somethings, we will bring you and show it like we did with Shuler and Nambiar. It is our right, our souvreignity! We will come to you if we need money; or if we need you to tie the hands of Tamils, Tigers and the Diaspora. If you don't listen to us, we have China, Iran, Pakistan, Libya and many, many more. Your pick!
This shows how desparate are the Sri Lankan leaders trying to escape from war crime charges. Thank god Bob was not abducted by the white van cowards. Those who call the LTTE as terrorist, have forgotten how the Sri Lankan government mass murdered Tamil civilians and keeping the rest in Nazi style concentration camps agaist their wishes. People in the camps are dying without proper food and medication. If Sri Lanka has done nothing wrong, it will not be scared to allow journalist and politicians from other countries. Therefore the benefit of the doubt must be given to those trying to find justice.
Really good. well done MR. we need a leader who will not afraid of anybody. bob rae or what ever..you dont have to worry about people in our country.
I think the Sri Lankan Government is smart, got able diplomatic advisors and playing its cards well, though not to our likings.
They know that Rae is in the opposition party, not ruling Cnservative Party.
In the opposition Liberal Party he was a leadiong contender against Ignatiff, its current leader.
He spoke against the tigers, and the Canadian tigers disrupted his meetings, put a rival candidate and worked against him at his riding nominarion elaction.
His former NDP Party members appeared in the current protests.
So they chose a soft target to convey their message to Canada.
If Mr. Rae supports the LTTE, as the Sri Lankaan government believes, I wonder why he was booed, and shouted down by Tiger supporters, when he was the main speaker at the official release of the Human Rights Watch report on the LTTE's use of child soldiers. This happened about 5 years ago, in Scarborough and this writer was a witness. Obviously, the country's national intelligence gathering leaves a lot to be desired. They, and their nationalist minded supporters cannot differentiate between moderates and extremists.
If Sri Lanka having defeated the LTTE had decided to go a war with the West, heaven only knows where this will end up. Vengeance politics is not the prerogative of Sri Lankans, it is just that the West does it on a bigger scale, witness Iraq. GOSL should not overplay its hand. Heaven help the Tamils and the Sinhalese - all stand to lose hugely by this kind of gambit - and relying on China and India is dangerous - they will in the end look after themselves only.
Three Brothers and an Army
As Rae mentioned in his As It Happens interview, Sri Lanka has a government and then a parallel, unaccountable "Three Brothers and an Army" juncta which holds the real power.
http://transcurrents.com/tc/2009/06/cbc_audio_bob_rae_on_as_it_hap.html
Bob Rae has denounced the LTTE and its actions several times. He always espoused a federal solution and advised both sides to desist from violence. Individuals who attempt to portray Rae as an LTTE supporter are mistaken and should think twice before consuming low-quality government propaganda. What does Sri Lanka have to hide?
SHAME ON SRI LANKA. BOB RAE IS LUCKY THAT HE WAS NOT ABDUCTED BY THE WHITE VAN AND TORTURED AND KILLED.
It is so true "If this is how they treat me, imagine how they treat people who can't speak out"
Finally, the world is slowly waking up to see the truth
Indika Perera,
What are you proud of as a nation? Even your defeat of LTTE was due to outside help. Arms, and training were provided by China and Pakistan. Some people also contend that the planes were flown by Pakistani pilots. Why are these countries not considered to be terrorist by you? Your nation is also never too proud to beg for money from other countries.
Devinda Fernando,
The last time I heard of coloured people as having the "house negro" mentality was when an Al Qaeda terrorist used it to speak of Obama! This surely shows your own terrorist sympathy.
......." All I can say is shame on them. If this is how they treat me, imagine how they treat people who can't speak out and who can't make public statements." .....
The above statement says it all.
Thankyou Mr.Rae for at least trying.
Where is the tooth-less tiger United nation hiding?
Nice to see all online Tigers are active, this time engage in a different war fare. Something that they are not used to that is diplomacy and politics. I think its in a way a victory on the part of SL government to see that LTTE sympathizers are now talking about foreign policy & diplomacy as a means of achieving goals rather than violence which they proclaimed for decades. I only wish that they would make use of these tools wisely to reach a pragmatic reconciliation rather than further separation & isolation from Sinhalese & international community.
Its interesting to hear the official position of Canadian FM regarding the deportation of one of their MPs. If I'm not mistaken Canadian Parliament very recently criticized Bob Rae for appearing in a pro-LTTE demonstration (because demonstrators waved pro-LTTE flags & shouts slogans in support of VP) in Tronto held presumably to safe guard civilians in the NFZ. The deportation of MP is justifiable in this context and I'm sure SL foreign service has a pretty strong case to argue with their Canadian counterparts.
Well will SL gain anything out of this? They would attract widespread criticism & may attract the attention of foreign media. Well in a peculiar situation like this it would have served us well if we do not attract the attention of foreign media for wrong reasons. We should have gauged the damage that Bob Rae could have done if we let him in, which I believe is not significant considering the fact that its a common knowledge he is aligned firmly with Pro-LTTE diaspora elements now. These allegiances change from time to time depending on your financiers. A good example being Bruce Fein. When donors of your campaign change you change your colours, pretending as if you have been suddenly enlightened.
In fact many of the prominent non Tamil activists have no genuine concern for tamil people. The failure to develop such a non-tamil support group itself is a weakness in their liberation struggle. SL government has sent a strong message to Canadian government who adopted a soft approach in dealing with LTTE, how they would react could be seen in time to come.
Ajaya,
Please stop turning things up side down. Read MP Rae's writings and speeches on Sri Lanka, and you will understand that he has indeed shown his clear opposition to many LTTE-related issues. He has criticized both LTTE and GoSL - in today's context, Colombo ought to speak to concerned foreign policymakers, develop a new dialogue, as a part of developing its own international profile (with regards to the ethnic issue in particular)
Refusing entry an elderly man like him is extremely humiliating, and if this is Colombo's game, then many Western governments ought to refuse entry to Seigneur Rajapakse next time him & Shiranthi come on shopping sprees.
The fault lies with Sri Lankan High Commission in Canada. If GOSL believes that Mr. Rae is LTTE sympathizer and unwelcome to Colombo SL High Commissioner would have politely refused his visa application then he wouldn’t have travelled to Colombo all the way from the other side of the planet.
Now it had caused a diplomatic embarrassment to Canada for being denied entry to a Member of Parliament with a valid visa. Immediately after the conclusion of the war the defense ministry handles all matters related to the issues of ethnic conflict. Naturally, Mr. Rae, being an outspoken critic of the Sri Lankan Government and as someone mentioned in this blog that he attended pro LTTE rallies with Tamil Eelam flag etc. he is not welcome to this country as an individual who interfered with the internal affairs of the country.
Similar incidents have happened before in other countries. For example, Yusuf Islam (formerly known as pop singer Cat Steven) who is a British subject was denied entry to USA and deported back to UK after he landed at the airport. Similar security reasons were issued by the U.S internal security for his deportation. India had in many instances refused entry to many Sri Lankans who arrived at Indian airports with valid visas. (Some of them had Pakistan visa on their passports).
OH very sorry Belle,
You must have hurt so much. According to you all countries in the world depend on them self 100% ha ha haaa. Have you ever learned basic economics ... Ha ha haaa. " Some people say , war planes are flown by Pak" Ha HA Haaaa. Lots of people are sying lots of things Ha Ha Haaaa. Mission accomplished to eliminate LTTE. Very sory if you are hurt by these . Ha Ha Haaaaaa
Mitt, I know you are one of tamil diaspora member living in West.You guys have every luxury in those countries while common tamils in SL suffer tremendously. Tamils in SL don't ask ealam or federalism.All they need is to do their cultivation and provide better education for their kids.You and your LTTe leaders dream of a Ealam over thousand of tamils dead bodies.The money that tamil diaspora collect for the last 20 years for LTTE enough to build thousand of houses for poor tamils.But you guys spent it on a useless war.
I request from Canada to provide their train engines because 50% of our train engines from Canada and after 30 years they are still in good condition.And the tamils in North and their main mode of transportation is train.
.
Devinda Fernando (Fernando....)
Are you saying it's better to BOW to Yellow Chinese than White Canadians?
:-)
THE WAR "JUST BEGUN"
CITIZENS OF CANADA KEEP AWAY FROM SRI LANKA. SRI LANKA IS THE SECOND DANGEROUS COUNTRY TO VISIT.FORMER ONTARIO'S PREMEIR,LEADING PARLIAMENTARY LEGISLATOR AND PEACE MAKER BOB RAY'S VISIT PROVED THIS SITUATION BEYOND ANY DOUBT ABOUT SRI LANKA.
The prim and proper High Commissioner Daya Perera, the eminent lawyer, presumably granted a Visa to Bob Rae after consultations and clearance from Cbo. The fiasco exposes the many “governments” in Sri Lanka today. Mr Rae refers to “2 Govts” Some think when you include the Sinhala Buddhist supremacist cabal there can be 3. And, add to that the Supreme Court that also is a government in an acceptable way. But you don’t need the other 3, some would say, if you have that surreptitious Govt headed by Gothabaya Rajapakse – whom Bob Rae specifically identifies. I don’t think MR & cohorts are capable of understanding the seriousness of their blunder. Today, the main 3 newspapers in Ontario (where the capital Ottawa is located) Toronto Star, Globe & Mail and the National Post have editorially condemned GoSL in strident language never used by the Canadian Press before. This is said to be the first occasion this has happened during peace times. The Conservative Party Govt of Stephen Harper – usually opposed to Bob Rae of the opposition Liberal Party - have closed ranks with their distinguished Canadian colleague and unequivocally slated Rajapakse and his tactless governance for this indignity – “unacceptable behaviour” to use their words. There is a difference of a crude thug with raised sarong in Mariakade in the slums of Colombo behaving in the misplaced belief he has silenced his opposition and that everyone around respects him out of fear. What is expected in the conduct of affairs by a government is to function with finesse and diplomacy – at least while dealing with foreigners. Who on earth came with that crazy idea of informing Rae he will be allowed in if he signed an unqualified apology? We have once more become the laughing stock of the world.Mahinda Rajapakse is making claims to be the next Idi Amin. In fairness to that educated three in the Govt – Palitha Kohona, Dayan Jayatilake and Rajiva Wijesinghe – they would have nothing to do with the discourtesy meted out to a leader of a country of great value and importance to us. One can only hope the great Canadian nation and its government will appreciate the vast majority of 20 million decent Sri Lankans – as opposed to the few men in this government - value the friendship and kindness of Canada to us and are grateful for decades of assistance to us - including the Katunayaka International Airport itself – a Canadian gift during the time of the late Pierre Elliot Trudeau from which, ironically, Bob Rae – a Premier of Ontario and possible future Prime Minister – was “chased” away in the hallmark ruling style of MR Inc.,
ISS
The majority of Sinhala people Who write in these coments , and the socalled rulers in Colombo seems to think that they are the type of people who terrarise Tamils and other decent people in the Colombo.They wear the sarong raised to revel their bottoms and under wear and parade them selves as defenders of Sinhala and Buddhisim together with safron robed variety.How can we expect from them any diplomacy or decencyor humanity.
Response to Comments on the Protests
Contents
Introduction - Debunking common myths and clarifying the issues
“This is not the right way to protest”
“This isn’t Canada’s Problem”
“Canada should still remain neutral. This is an internal matter”
“The Tamils are a terrorist group”
“Canada already had Minister Bev Oda go over there and gave Sri Lanka 7 million! What else do you want?!”
“All my tax payer money is being wasted on these protests!”
“The LTTE is a terrorist group. Canada should not lift the ban”
“Don’t these people have jobs?”
Introduction - Debunking common myths and clarifying the issues
In this section, we hope to address many of the common comments, questions and concerns that many people have about the protests. We have ordered them in what we believe are the most common and legitimate concerns, and have worked downwards from there, starting with the protest on the Gardiner that occurred on the Gardiner Expressway. This was not only illegal but also dangerous. That said, this is not a black and white issue unfortunately. Tamils do understand that what happened was illegal and dangerous, however, the events which lead up to this decisive action is worth looking into.
“This is not the right way to protest”
As mentioned above, many Tamils do probably see this now. But looking back at the previous protests, we can see what might have triggered this.
The Tamils had started with petitions, letters to politicians, and lobbying. None of which had worked.
The next logical step was peaceful protests. And this they did. Many small demonstrations in front of queens park, parliament and various embassies. Again, they went largely unnoticed and unacknowledged.
Many larger peaceful protests were then organized (ie: the first “Human Chain”), which had affected traffic to some extent, but primarily due to the visual distraction they caused. The first few of these had the response of Canadian officials in government holding an emergency session and agreeing that “Canada had to do something”. However, nothing further was pursued.
The next step was Peaceful Civil Disobedience. They began blocking off streets to get their voices heard. Apart from a small scuffle on the last day, the protests had managed to remain peaceful.
The most recent of these protests began with support from many other unions and organizations including the Canadian Peace Coalition, the Canadian Federation of Students to name a few. The protests began like most others (meaning like most other non-Tamil protest). However, tensions had reached a boiling point. The recent news from pro-LTTE news source Tamilnet that over 3000 civillians had been slaughtered overnight before Mother’s Day, fueled by reports of what they felt were grossly understated death tolls by western media sources seemed to have sparked the random shift in protest tactics.
Of course, going over to the Gardiner was not planned in advance. It was a totally ad-hoc action fueled by the recent situation back home and a few protesters leading the way. Does it make what happened right? Of course not. Will it happen again? I’m sure quite a few Tamils regret it happening. However, with all these (peaceful) protests going unheard, what other option did they really have to lobby for action?
Some might say the place to protest is the UN in New York, or perhaps the Sri Lankan Consulate.
The fact is, Tamils have (repeatedly) done that in the past, and have reached the same results: Lots of talk about how “something should be done”, but no action being taken. That said, this does not excuse any of the actions that happened on the Gardiner. As McGuinty simply states it, “When it comes to expressing those concerns, there’s a right way and a wrong way”. This was clearly the wrong way.
“This isn’t Canada’s Problem”
This leads into the next argument that many make. “This isn’t Canada’s problem”. Enter the “Responsibility to Protect” protocol.
This is a quote taken straight from both the NATO and Canadian foreign affairs website:
Canada set up the Commission try to ensure that international community’s indifference and inaction in the face of situations such as in Rwanda and Srebrenica did not occur again.
This is a quote straight off the introduction to the document
The so-called “right of humanitarian intervention” has been one of the most controversial foreign policy issues of the last decade - both when intervention has happened, as in Kosovo, and when it has failed to happen, as in Rwanda. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in his report to the 2000 General Assembly, challenged the international community to try to forge consensus, once and for all, around the basic questions of principle and process involved: when should intervention occur, under whose authority, and how. The independent International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty was established by the Government of Canada in September 2000 to respond to that challenge.
The full document can be found here: http://www.iciss.gc.ca/report2-en.asp
Some key points on this to note from this document can be found in the Responsibility to Protect Blog Page. Very recommended read for those who still feel that Canada does not have any place in getting involved in “internal affairs”.
“Canada should still remain neutral. This is an internal matter”
Some, after reading the above, still feel that Canada should remain neutral since this is an internal matter.
Canada already got involved in this issue once they labeled the Tigers as a terrorist organization. If this really was an internal matter, then perhaps it would be best to stay out of this all together. Canada has not done that.
“The Tamils are a terrorist group”
No. The government has labeled the Tamil Tigers (The rebel group) as a terrorist organization. “Tamils” are an ethnic group. This would be synonymous to saying that “Afghans are terrorists”, or “Palestinians are terrorists”, both of which is not true. The only difference in this case, is that the name of the rebel group in question has the word “Tamil” in it.
“Canada already had Minister Bev Oda go over there and gave Sri Lanka 7 million! What else do you want?!”
Lets look at that phrase again. In particular this part right here: “… gave Sri Lanka 7 million!…”. When other countries like the US are retracting IMF loans due to Sri Lanka’s despicable human rights record, Canada is simply throwing money at them. In fact, by giving money to the government, we have unintentionally (or intentionally… who is to say) supported one side of this conflict. This money should be going towards NGO’s like the Red Cross, Amesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other organizations which have no political interest in this conflict. There is no way to confirm that Canada’s 7 million is going towards helping the citizens. For all we know, it could also be being used by the government to buy more arms.
“All my tax payer money is being wasted on these protests!”
Our tax payer money is also going towards the Sri Lankan government (See above). Shouldn’t we be equally concerned that our tax payer money, and our government is at least partially responsible for the deaths of the Tamil civilians in the conflict area?
“The LTTE is a terrorist group. Canada should not lift the ban”
Canada placed the Tigers on the terrorist list for the usage of Child soldiers and suicide bombings.
Canada should now also place the same label on the Government as a “Terrorist State” for their disgusting human rights violations in the area.
Regardless of whether a suicide bombing at a hospital kills hundreds or thousands of people or whether a cluster bomb hits a hospital and kills the same thousands, the result is that people will perish. Both of these acts are inexcusable.
For these reasons, Sri Lanka is a Failed State, and if the Tigers deserve that title, the Sri Lankan government deserves the title of a “Terrorist State”.
If there really is nothing to hide, and they really are doing everything in their power to protect civilians, if they really are not using heavy weapons…
Why is there no free access by the international media? Why is there no free access by aid groups?
What are they hiding?
And now to address the more ridiculous concerns
“Don’t these people have jobs?”
Yes. Yes we do. Hope that answers your question.
In all seriousness, here are a few reasons why there is usually a large turnout.
- A good proportion of these protestors are university students. The winter/spring semester ended a few weeks ago for most universities.
- There are stay-at-home moms who can come down during the day.
- There’s always things like vacation days and taking a day off.
- A good proportion of these protests get massive after work is out for the day.