05 December 2013
British Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander met Friday with a delegation from various UK-based Tamil organisations, including Global Tamil Forum, Tamils Against Genocide, Tamils for Labour, Tamil Information Centre, and the Tamil National Alliance (UK).
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The Tamil delegates outlined the various aspects of the ongoing genocide of the Tamil nation and stressed the need for the UK to ensure demands for an international investigation included considerations of genocide.
Speaking to Tamil Guardian, Jan Jananayagam from Tamils against Genocide (TAG), reflected on the meeting, stating,
"TAG welcomes this reiteration of a commitment to an international investigation into crimes against humanity by the Shadow Foreign Secretary"
"We were happy to have the opportunity to discuss systemic issues of ethnic cleansing via forced demographic change and the impact of systematic gender-based violence in destroying Tamil communities in Sri Lanka, the militarisation of the economy in the Tamil North and East that is depriving local communities of livelihood, all of these being elements in the state sponsored destruction of the Tamil people on the island."
"We have agreed to continue our positive engagement on these issues."
Alexander argued that British Premier David Cameron should start calls immediately for an international independent investigation and that he expected no credible progress from the Sri Lankan government before March.
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Outlining Labour’s position on Sri Lanka to Tamil Guardian at the end of the meeting, he said,
“This was a useful and productive meeting with Tamil community leaders. Our discussion allowed me to thank them for all they have done to raise the issue of human rights in Sri Lanka here in the UK. They made clear their commitment to work together on this important issue in the months and years ahead.”“2013 has been a significant year for Sri Lanka and the Tamil people. But 2014 could be a crucial year for accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, given the growing calls for independent, international war crimes inquiries to be established.”“Working with the Tamil community here in the UK, Labour will continue to highlight these issues and urge action from the Government of Sri Lanka.”“Sadly David Cameron left Colombo with no improvements in human rights secured, and, along with the Tamil community here in the UK, Labour will not let the matter rest.”
Raj Vakesan from Tamils for Labour told Tamil Guardian,
"I welcome this meeting and am very pleased that the Shadow Foreign Secretary recognises the success of the campaign by British Tamils against hosting CHOGM in Sri Lanka. It shows the importance of the grassroots advocacy to bring awareness of the genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka.”“I believe that the UK government should take leadership to establish an international independent investigation into war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of genocide through Geneva process in March 2014”
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