Press release for immediate use
Date : 05/01/2012
e-petition campaign launched
The Sri Lankan government massacred over 40,000 people during the last phase of the war alone in 2009. Some of the horrendous war crimes have been reported in Channel 4’s documentaries.
Thousands of young people are still held in prison camps and tens of thousands
have not been resettled or given adequate compensation. The so-called LLRC (lesson learned and reconciliation committee) that was supposed to investigate the war crimes published a shameful report mostly defending the dictatorial government. Yet even the puny recommendations of LLRC itself have been rejected by the Sri Lankan president.
Tamil-speaking people who live inBritaindemand that the British government takes action to call to account those responsible for one of the most horrific genocidal slaughters that have ever taken place.
Tens of thousands of working-class people already support the need for an investigation into war crimes. So far, however, no serious action has been taken against the Sri Lankan government. Instead it is allowed to carry on the oppression and its efforts to burry the truth. The Independent newspaper recently exposed how a British-based ‘public relations’ Company Bell Pottinger claimed to have brought so-called ‘balance’ to the reporting of the massacre in Sri Lanka – in the Sri Lankan government’s favour. We want people inBritainto know the truth about the war crimes inSri Lanka. A parliamentary debate is necessary – it would at least raise the issue in the public arena. We want an immediate suspension of any dealings with war criminals, including the dictatorial government inSri Lanka.
It is with this aim that we have started a signature campaign alongside other campaigning organisations. If 100,000 people sign up, we could get an opportunity to see these issues debated in parliament. Please sign the petition online at: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/14586
Following is the full text of the E-petition that available at government petition website. (http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/14586)
Independent, international investigation into war crimes inSri Lanka
Responsible department: Foreign and Commonwealth Office
We, the undersigned, call upon the British Government to support the establishment of an independent, international inquiry into the credible allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Sri Lanka during the final months of the armed conflict in 2009, as recommended in the ‘Report of the UN Secretary General’s Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka’.
Sign the e-petition now to demand an Independent, international investigation into war crimes inSri Lanka
Contact Details : info@tamilsolidarity.org , TU Senan 07908050217