The Sri Lankan Government has clearly proved it has no intention of reconciliation with the Tamil people. The human rights violations will continue in Sri Lanka forever unless the Tamil Diaspora and their friends continue to fight through political means. Act Now believes that the following strategy is the only way of winning the freedom for those left in Sri Lanka. We continue to fight but unless the Tamil Diaspora and their friends take action all hope is lost. So remember you are the new generation of hero's, you are the only hope for all those people who have suffered so much and will continue to do so if you do not Act Now.
The overriding goal for Tamil activists and their non-Tamil supporters should be a UN-supervised referendum on self-determination for Eelam Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Why?
The West has a strong diplomatic and historical tradition of supporting or even promoting a referenda (or plebiscites) on 'National Questions' ever since it was enshrined in the League of Nations after the First World War and the UN after the Second. Indeed the principle of self-determination is recognised in the UN Charter. In recent times such referenda have been called for in Kosovo and Montenegro and, more relevantly, a decade ago in East Timor.
Whilst a call for Tamil Eelam will be resisted by Sri Lanka and be seen as unrealistic by the International Community (IC), the call for a referendum to decide upon the future constitutional position of Eelam Tamils in the North & East will find a great deal of sympathy and be hard for Sri Lanka to dismiss. The result of that referenda can begin to heal the decades of bitterness between Sinhala and Tamils on the Island whatever the outcome.
How is this to be achieved?
There is a strategy that can deliver a referendum and it will require the application of twin and interlinked campaigns: Political & Economic
Political
The IC was reluctant to seriously push for a ceasefire last May for varied reasons: For the West, India demanded the problem be left alone as it was 'their backyard'. For India, they feared Chinese influence growing if they didn't acquiesce to Sri Lanka's offensive (as well as a fear of Separatism in general). All of them to some extent had 'blood on their hands'. What can change their behaviour?
In order to get the IC to support a referendum they must first believe that the treatment of Tamils is unacceptable both presently and in the near future and then believe that a such a vote is the solution.
Demonised
Firstly, Sri Lanka must be 'demonised' as Sri Lanka did with the Tigers and ultimately all Tamils. This should not be difficult given their ongoing record on human rights i.e. highlighting the campaign for 'War Crimes' trials to cover the last months of the war, failure to resettle the countless IDPs, the move towards a despotic dynasty and the general abuse of human rights.
Whatever 'deal' was struck prior to their military offensive between Rajapakse and the IC was surely broken by the President? Whether it was breaking calender deadlines, use of artillery upon civilians, executions of prisoners or internment of Vanni Tamils there will be a reckoning between SL and the IC. This is likely to result in a 'War Crimes' trial but it could also lead to calls for a long term political solution to the conflict.
Pressure
The IC will also come to realise that Sri Lanka is never going to modify its behaviour towards Tamils let alone willingly negotiate a political settlement with the Tamil community, without the application of political pressure.
Secondly, we must call for governments to apply sanctions (political & economic), cut off ties in sport and business and diplomatically isolate Sri Lanka (including suspension from the Commonwealth & travel visas). Some of this will affect Sri Lankans in general but will especially punish the political elites. The screws must be applied until a UN-supervised referendum is offered and until then the country must remain an 'international pariah'.
Economic
Apart from external political pressure we must run an effective Economic War against Sri Lanka to deprive it of foreign currency and direct aid. A successful attack on the Sri Lanka economy will reduce the Government's capacity to equip and feed its army due to a reduction in taxation revenue (on export remittances), reduce public expenditure on its social infrastructure and increase unemployment (thus reducing the average standard of living) resulting in political demands from the Sinhala public for change.
How?
Boycotting
This will involve, the boycotting of Sri Lankan products by persuading firms to stop importing those goods and request consumers not to purchase products displaying a 'Made in Sri Lanka' label. Simultaneously we must cause as much damage to the tourist industry as possible by making travelers aware of the truth. It will also mean continuing campaigning for the withdrawal of aid and concessions offered by the IC e.g. the GSP+.
Act Now has already joined in a partnership Boycott campaign with various other organisation across the globe to target the garment industries. However if this is to be truly successful we need the support of the entire Tamil Diaspora so that we can take the tourism industry head on and inflict some serious damage.
Overall Sri Lanka's political elites will be faced with a choice; stubbornly refuse to negotiate a vote and live in penury, under political siege at home and isolated from the world (would going to college in Iran or a holiday in China really compensate?) or alternatively agree to a UN supervised referendum and see restrictions removed. We believe they will ultimately take the latter.
If you therefore wish to see Eelam Tamils obtain the peace and justice they need and deserve you must make this happen. Eelam Tamils are presently vulnerable and powerless so it falls to the Tamil Diaspora to pick up the cudgel. There is no other strategy that will achieve these goals and there is no one else that can make it happen. We can win but it is in your hands.
ARE YOU SERIOUS?
We need your support on the ground by turning up to demos, by delivering leaflets, by joining the boycott pickets and by help fund the materials we urgently need (Co-operative Bank Sort Code: 089299 A/C No: 6537322200). We urge you to get involved by contacting us now offering help on info.actnow@gmail.com and/or by completing the attached Standing Order form (if not request via williamson_graham@yahoo.co.uk).
Act Now
Board of Directors