Jayalalithaa, Karunanidhi want India to back resolution seeking probe into war crimes
Shocked by reports that India is set to strongly back Sri Lanka in case a United States-backed resolution is taken up in the ongoing session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva seeking an inquiry into allegations of war crimes in the last stage of the civil war, leaders from Tamil Nadu on Wednesday appealed to the Centre not to bail out the island nation.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh insisting that “India should support the U.S.-backed resolution and strongly condemn the Sri Lankan government when the same is brought forward in the Council.”
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi, an ally of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre, also demanded that India not vote in favour of Sri Lanka.
In her letter, Ms. Jayalalithaa recalled a resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly on June 8, 2011, urging the Government of India to take up the issue of war crimes with the U.N. and to declare those found guilty of war crimes against Tamils as war criminals.
The resolution had also demanded that India work alongside other nations to impose an economic embargo on Sri Lanka until Tamils living in post-war camps were fully rehabilitated and given equal Constitutional rights on a par with the Sinhalese. While she was under the impression that the government was pursuing action based on the Assembly resolution, she had come across media reports that quoted a Sri Lankan spokesperson expressing confidence about India's support to the Sri Lankan position, she said and added that she wanted to reiterate the State's stand in this regard.
In his statement, Mr. Karunanidhi took note of Sri Lankan Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe's assertion that India will stand by his country when the resolution sponsored by countries such as the U.S., France and Norway is placed for voting. He said the DMK's high-level executive committee on April 24, 2011 had adopted a resolution calling upon India to take steps to bring to book those who were responsible for such war crimes, instead of justifying the argument that killing of people was inevitable in a war.
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Vaiko, in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, stated that India should support such a resolution to take steps to evolve a mechanism to investigate the war crimes and genocide committed by the Sri Lankan government against the Tamils.
Mr. Vaiko described as shocking Mr. Samarasinghe's claim that India will support Sri Lanka in the crucial vote.
Keywords: United Nations Human Rights Council, Eelam War IV, Sri Lankan war crimes, India-Sri Lanka ties, Jayalalithaa, Karunanidhi, U.S.-backed resolution, Rajapaksa
Mrs Gandhi helped Srilankan tamils to keep away the hostile China and western powers out of indian waters for ever and to maintain suprimacy of India in the region. She organised a tripatriate meeting between Indian,Srilanka and tamils (represented by LTTE with majority support of Tamils) under the leadership of Mr Parthasarathy (son of Gopalasamy Ayangar-the constitution drafting committee member)representing India. The results were positive to achieve Indian goal by the tactical and diplomatic acumen of the great personality Mr parthasarathy (proposed Scheduled powers to both srilankan and Tamil governments (A,B and Annexere C (disputed area)). P.M Rajiv did his life time political blunder by listening to ill advice from anti Tamil group. Solution to the Tamil problem changed to that of taking vengeance on Tamils and executed precisely with the help of corrupted to throat tamil leaders of Tamil Nadu. Pray to all God
Another test for the Congress regime that collaborated with the Sri Lankan regime. Thanks to the US, France and Norway to bring this motion with a view to deliver justice to the victims. Victims of injustices are seeking Justice!
Tamils have expressed their wishes in all possible deomocratic ways. Central Govt. can not ignore continuously tamil people wishes.It is not clear how India's interest is different from tamils interest with respect to Srilanka affairs. Central govt. should learn lesson from histroy. Mahatma Gandhiji stood with Great Britian in 2nd World War on principle, although Great Britian was enemy to Mahatma Gandhiji. therefore, India should stand for justice. Even ordinary man can say that Srilankan consitituion is not protecting Tamil and treating equal. How can Tamils get justice from them. True freedom is not absence of tension but it is presence of justice. Can India uphold humanrights and constitutional rights for all human being and not comparise such rights in the name of soverignity and territorial integration etc.
Good to hear south indian state Tamil Naadu parties raised this as one voice. Central Government should not ignore state people opinion.
All perpetrators should be brought to justice.
justice will win one day...
Welcome!
At least now at a great begining after a deadly turmoil, both rivals in Tamilnadu showing so much interest in tamils identity in srilanka is SO great to appreciate.
Let it go on in this pace till we get a peaceful solution....
Good to hear this news. All political parties in TN are embedded in this particular issue. PM should understand all tamilian feelings and Govt of india should not vote in favour of srilanka.
We Malaysian Tamils are very dissapointed with the UPA Govt for collobrating with racist Sinhala regime for genocide of tamil civilians during the ellam war. The UPA govt have betrayed Tamils all over the world by supporting the sinhala regime by providing military equipments, miltary tactics for the genocide.
Enough is enough, UPA govt have changed the ahimsa practice to dictatorship of mussolini.
It is heartening to see all the political parties in Tamil Nadu
shedding their differences and affirming their united position to
support the cause of Tamils in the island nation. I would always
looked up to Tamil Nadu and it's politicians to get inspired with
their dedication and love for their language, culture and people.
Hope the Prime Minister respects the honest and rightful voice of
these democratic parties and people of the state.
I only put here the most honest and independent opinion of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former Irish President Mary Robinson (members of The Elders, global leaders working for peace and human rights) as published in Guardian on Sunday 26 February 2012 . "Sri Lanka's recent history is an issue that concerns all of us. Whether or not the Human Rights Council is able to summon the will to act on one of the most serious cases of human rights violations to have occurred since it was founded in 2006 could have ramifications for the global standing of human rights and international humanitarian law – and for the prestige and authority of the council."
I have seldom seen rival politicians in Tamil Nadu taking a unified
stand on an issue. This is one of such rarity. Great!
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