For the past week, the streets in front of Parliament Hill have been home to a sea of Tamils staging massive protests and demonstrations demanding the Canadian government directly intervene in Sri Lanka's civil war.
The Tamils' dedication cannot be understated. One would be hard-pressed to remember another instance of hundreds, if not thousands, of protesters continuing their action for seven days running. Of course, this is no ordinary situation; many of those involved in the demonstrations have friends and family stuck in a war zone, which lends an urgency to their actions.
On one level, it would appear the Tamils have succeeded. News reports initially focused on the fact that traffic in the downtown core was in chaos, especially during rush hour, because the protesters were clogging Wellington St., directly in front of the Prime Minister's Office.
Only later, when it became apparent the protesters were planning to stay, did the newspapers, radio and television really start to focus on the reasons for the Tamils gathering in front of Parliament Hill.
As a result, more Canadians know about the 25-year-old war between Sri Lanka's Sinhalese majority, and the Tamil minority, which may be entering its final stages, than ever before. Canadians have also learned that as many as 100,000 civilians are trapped in the island's northeast corner, where government forces are launching massive attacks and the remnants of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are fighting tooth and nail for survival.
The Tamil protesters are demanding the Canadian government do everything necessary to pressure the Sri Lankan government to cease its hostilities against the LTTE. Such actions include applying sanctions and calling for Sri Lanka to be kicked out of the Commonwealth.
So far, however, the government has only released one statement. On April 11, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said Canada was concerned about the civilians trapped in the war zone, and called on both parties "to implement a humanitarian pause."
However, the strongest statements were reserved for the LTTE, at whose feet Mr. Cannon appeared to lay the blame for the current conflict and humanitarian crisis. The LTTE "must stop preventing civilians from leaving remaining LTTE-controlled territory and allow freedom of movement to civilians under its control," Mr. Cannon said. "Under Canadian law, the LTTE is listed as a terrorist entity. The LTTE must stop all acts that put civilian lives in danger."
Days earlier, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff released a more balanced statement, noting Canada is home to one of the largest Tamil communities outside Sri Lanka, which means it "has a special responsibility to assist in international efforts to bring about a political reconciliation and to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those who need it."
Without taking a side, Mr. Ignatieff said his party will continue to pressure both the Conservatives and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to appoint a special representative to the war, and "continue to press for diplomatic engagement and additional humanitarian assistance while strongly condemning these ongoing attacks on the civilian population."
The Conservatives' refusal to involve themselves in the conflict, aside from siding with the Sri Lankan government, is troubling. The LTTE has been listed as a terrorist group, a label it likely deserves. And the fact many of the protesters who showed up in front of Parliament support the group makes it difficult to deal with them. But there is every indication the Sri Lankan government has committed equally disturbing atrocities in this decades-old conflict.
The Canadian government must re-evaluate its position vis-à-vis Sri Lanka, and take a realistic position that does not condone the actions of either side. Canada truly is in a unique position to engage this group and find innovative ways forward with moderate Tamils who really want only equality and fair treatment in their homeland.
