328 replies to this topic

[akootha]

Subject: Commonwealth Summit

To: r.uku@commonwealth.int


Cc: ictsecretary@kenya.go.ke, egov@kenya.go.ke, kenyahighcommission@rogers.com, op.registry@gov.bw,soefile@gov.bw, mbelanger1003@rogers.com, ghanacom@ghc-ca.com, distms@information.gov.mw, president@mail.gov.mu, aboolell@mail.gov.mu, Suresh.oogarah@sympatico.ca, csitongo@opm.gov.na,info@namibianembassyusa.org, mfapesey@seychelles.net, consulat.seychelles@sympatico.ca,president@po.gov.za, delsey@po.gov.za, leratoz@po.gov.za, johnj@po.gov.za, opm@dominica.gov.dm,JUrena@drembassy.org, foreignaffairs@dominica.gov.dm, j.key@ministers.govt.nz, pmo.@antigua.gov.ag,support@antigua.gov.ag, foreignaffairs@ab.gov.ag, info@antigua-barbuda-ca.com, governmenthouse@bahamas.gov.bs, sirarthurfoulkes@bahamas.gov.bs, ottawa-mission@bahighco.com, ppm@pmo.gov.my, malottawa@kln.gov.my,pmo_hq@pmo.gov.sg, lee_hsien_loong@pmo.gov.sg, connie_chan@pmo.gov.sg, tharman_s@mof.gov.sg,s_iswaran@mha.gov.sg, van@sgmfa.gov.sg, shanthi@ntuc.org.sg, Kevin.Rudd.MP@aph.gov.au,Tony.Abbott.MP@aph.gov.au, A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au, info@pmo.gov.bd, bangla@rogers.com, tnwinfo@plancom.go.tz, es@plancom.go.tz, ps@pmo.go.tz, info@ugandaonline.net,uhc@ugandahighcommission.com, info@parliament.gov.zm, zhc.ottawa@bellnet.ca, info@presidency.gov.cy,consulcy@rogers.com, customercare.opm@gov.mt, maltaconsulate.toronto@gov.mt, bhco@bellnet.ca,ernest@ernestkoroma.org, diaspora@ernestkoroma.org, info@embassyofsierraleone.net,portaldogoverno@govnet.gov.mz, embamoc@aol.com, lesothoembassy@verizon.net, clerk@barbadosparliament.com, ottawa@foreign.gov.bb, secretarypm@opm.gov.bz, clerkna@bna.gov.bz,bdhillon@mainst.biz, belizemfa@btl.net, pmoffice@gov.gd, pmsec@gov.gd, minfor@guyana.net.gy,guyanahcott@rogers.com, clerk@japarliament.gov.jm, info@cabinet.gov.jm, hc@jhcottawa.ca,sknpmpresssec@hotmail.com, erasmus.williams@cuopm.com, consulatestkittsnevis@rogers.com,admin@pm.gov.lc, mail@embsvg.com, webmaster@ttparliament.org, ottawa@ttmissions.com,parliament.info@naurugov.nr, enquiries@mic.gov.to, presssecretariat@samoa.ws

November 19, 2012

Mr. Richard Uku
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
Commonwealth Secretariat


Dear Mr. Uku,

We greatly appreciate your recent news release regarding Commonwealth's Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma's call for the committment to upholding 'Latimer House Principles' and his deepest concern about the ongoing political witch-hunt to impeach the first woman Chief Justice of Sri Lanka.

Incidentally, Secretary General's renewed appeal for a democratic culture and rule of law in Sri Lanka, coincides with the release of a damning internal probe report revealing the conduct of some UN's high-ranking officials for acting against their consciences during the ended war and aftermath, where Tamils were singled out to face the gravest abuses simply and solely on account of their Tamil nationality.

One of the main reasons for the impeachment of the Chief Justice is said to be the 'presidential siblings' ire at her decisions on a new Bill (enabling the regime to expropriate any piece of land) and the consequent fear that she will stand in the way of the 19th Amendment of the Constitution. In Sri Lanka the Executive is seen to manipulate Parliament to marginalize the Judiciary. The machinations for this erosion of democracy has been through Amendments to the Constitution. The 17^thAmendment did away with the Constitutional Council that had been conceived as an ideally representative Institution to perform the most important function of constituting independent Commissions that were to control the public service, the police service and the Judiciary. With this Amendment this function devolved on the Executive. The dictatorial powers, thus amassed by the President is at the root of the current culture of impunity and lawlessness in the country. The attempt to impeach the Chief Justice is nothing but the manifestation of the President’s displeasure at the Chief Justice’s dispensation in relation to an issue of paramount importance to the former to assert his dictatorial powers. Having perceived it as an affront and only the tip of the iceberg from the perspective of contemplated dictatorial strikes, the President resorts to the impeachment exercise, not only to remove the incumbent thorn but also as a lesson to future Appointees. The ruling clan of Sri Lanka will not tolerate any limit on their power, be it via devolution or judicial independence.



If the Commonwealth still considers Sri Lanka as a democracy and a sovereign State with ultimate power resting with the people, it has to think again and this is an opportunity for the Commonwealth to do something right.

The Canadian Prime Minister has already asserted that he would not attend the Commonwealth Summit 2013 In Sri Lanka. Last week, a powerful committee of the UK Parliament recommended that the UK Prime Minister should not attend the Commonwealth Summit. It is morally indefensible for the Commonwealth Secretariat to standby and allow Sri Lanka to host for a Commonwealth summit of Heads of States. It is in this respect that we humbly extend our appeal to all Commonwealth countries not willing to devalue their stature better act fast to cancel the Summit in Sri Lanka and, perhaps, choose another venue or postpone the Summit to be hosted by a deserving member state.


Respectfully,

XXXXXX yyyyyyyyyyy
(via email)

cc: Heads of Commonwealth Governments, Missions

[akootha]

From: Zambia High Commission <zhc.ottawa@bellnet.ca>
Date: Thu, Nov 22, 2012 at 12:05 PM
Subject: RE: Commonwealth Summit
To: Xxxxx Yyyyyyyyyyyy

Good afternoon and thank you, we confirm receipt of your mail of 19^th instant whose contents we duly note.



Thanking you,

With best regards,

Zambia High Commission – Ottawa

[akootha]

Subject: Send UN troops to Sri Lanka
to: sg@un.org

10 Dec. 2012

Hon. Ban Ki Moon.
UN Secretary General
United Nations
New York, USA

Dear Secretary General,

Subject: Send UN troops to Sri Lanka

Since the end of civil war, UN has given ample opportunities to Sri Lanka despite available evidence of war crimes and genocide. And yet Sri Lanka has failed to make any progress in reconciliation.

Today, Sri Lanka has once again created a climate of fear and where more than 15 students and others have been arrested. And the people are requesting UN protection as they have lost faith in Sri Lanka's forces.

I kindly request to seriously consider the safety of Tamils in Sri Lanka who may be faced with another massacre.  Do not fail them again!

 

Thank you.
 

Yours Truly,

[akootha]

Subject: Columbia University and the arrest of students in Sri Lanka
To: info@circacu.org, sgb@columbia.edu
Cc: editor@columbiaspectator.com, daf2122@columbia.edu, DP2366@columbia.edu, by10@columbia.edu, kl2391@columbia.edu

December 12, 2012

Dear Columbia University Student Leaders;

 

I was somewhat disappointed and puzzled to read a recent news report that a visit to Sri Lanka by a handful of UN representatives and diplomats to observe the post-war developments, was jointly organized by Columbia University. Though such 'guided tours' to the war-ravaged regions in Sri Lanka have not surprised me in the past, the involvement of the Columbia University this time, comes to me as a shock to hear. The Sri Lankan administration has mastered this political theatre of 'guided tours' to the international community through their selected delegations to hide the current military rule and rapid alteration of demography of the Tamil regions.

Last month, the United Nations released a partially blacked-out but damning internal probe report on Sri Lanka revealing the disgraceful conduct of some of the UN's high-ranking officials for acting against their consciences during the ended war and aftermath, where Tamils were singled out to face the gravest abuses simply and solely on account of their Tamil nationality. But the irony here is that Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN, Dr. Palitha Kohona who is charged with a complaint at the International Criminal Court for his joint criminal enterprise liability over the killings of white-flag Tamil surrenderees, is once again the 'tour' organizer leading the UN delegation.

The main reason why I am writing this is to draw your attention to a pressing matter about the recent arrest of university students by the Sri Lankan military in Jaffna - northern Sri Lanka. On November 27, when the Jaffna University students were peacefully remembering their fallen kith and kins, the Sri Lankan military entered into the campus hostels and reportedly broke lamps, threatened and assaulted the students, including girls. The following day students responded with a silent protest and short march and held placards denouncing the restrictions on freedom of expression. It was reported at least 20 undergraduates, including girls, were injured and beaten by riot police and military in civilian dress and brought to the hospital.  Four students were arrested on December 1st in Jaffna,  by the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) of the police. They are being held in Vavuniya for interrogation and are at risk of torture.

Still, the word 'terrorism' is being conveniently used by the Sri Lankan administration since 9/11, despite the world is witnessing dramatic changes in the form of 'Arab Spring' in its full bloom for the past two years. Sri Lanka has been a majoritarian regime since the Independence from British in 1948 and its military is exclusively Sinhalese, from ethno-majority community. Apart from the attacks on students, the regime is allegedly responsible for several white van abductions in Colombo and killings of political opponents, journalists and civil activists. Today, attacks on press, judiciary, places of worship, hospitals, libraries and even prison inmates are much more common in Sri Lanka.

It is in this respect, we urge the Student Associations of the Columbia University to join hands with human rights organizations in making concerted appeals to the Sri Lankan authorities to release the students from custody immediately.We thank you in advance for any of your significant gestures.

Kind Regards,
Xxxxx Yyyyyyyyyyy

Toronto, Canada
(via email)

cc:
Editor, Columbia Spectator
Director, Peace-building and Rights Program
Amnesty International, Columbia University

 

Sri Lanka: Students at risk of torture following march:
http://www.amnesty.o...70142012en.html

 

 

[akootha]

Sri Lanka’s Tamils deserve to be heard

Re: Why Does The World Ignore Sri Lanka’s Crime?, Elizabeth Haq, Dec. 11.

http://fullcomment.n...-lankas-crimes/

 

 

As tens of thousands of Tamil lingered under fire on a narrow strip of beach in Sri Lanka, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon did nothing and then made a trip to war zone after war ended and issued utterly forgettable statements. Then under the guise of examining the situation — an earnest quest turned ridiculous, when UN released many statements of blatant denials that Tamils were ever subjected to such horror.

This case brings to mind the old legal maxim, inter arma enim silent leges, essentially, in times of war, the law falls silent. Those with conscience who tried to protect Tamils from unimaginable savagery during the last stage of the war — the few righteous ones, represent a flickering spark of humanity in a world that had gone dark. To kill the innocent in a vast scale is horrifying; to deny the horror is simply inhuman. We must show a fidelity to history and humanity. Let us not wait until the Museum of Human Rights curates a history of the persecution of Tamils in Sri Lanka to tell the their story. Tamils in Sri Lanka deserve to be heard by the international community, at least now as the pendulum of oppression has clearly moved against them. If we cannot do that, then the tyrants have shaped not only these victims view of the world, but their humanity.

Roy Ratnavel, Vancouver.

http://fullcomment.n...s-also-victims/

 

 

[akootha]

To: bdoherty@theage.com.au
CC: newsdesk@theage.com.au; thyland@theage.com.au

Subject: INGAPORE DEPORTS DR BRIAN SENEVIRATNE

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

A senior Australian Doctor has been deported from Singapore for unknown reasons and unsure if at the behest of particular governments. He is elderly and never part of any violent or terrorist group.

 

This is of concern if it is intended to curtail freedom of speech.

If this is a measure from the GoSL as is suspected by some factions - it is not reasonable that the domestic values of SL apply to Australians and across the SL shores.

 

Regards,

 

Dr Pupalan Iyngkaran MBBS FRACP

Cardiologist Royal Darwin Hospital

Senior Lecturer Flinders University

to: briansen@bigpond.net.au

 

Subject : SINGAPORE DEPORTS DR BRIAN SENEVIRATNE

 

Dear Brian,

 

We continue to admire you courage and determination.

 

I believe the entire Tamil diaspora - share my gratitude for the work you continue to do for the community.

Please advise us if there is anything we can do to carry your views on this matter forward.

 

Sincerely,

 

[akootha]

தமிழரல்லாத ஒருவரின் கடிதம், letter from Canadian Bar Association!

 

 

December 21, 2012
 

Via email: bcm@international.gc.ca

 

The Honourable John Baird, P.C. M.P.

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Lester B. Pearson Building, Tower A

125 Sussex Drive

Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2

 

Dear Minister:

Re: Independence of the Judiciary and Impeachment Proceedings - Sri Lanka

I write to express the concern of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) regarding the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Sri Lankan Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake and to offer the CBA's support and assistance for any efforts the Government of Canada may be undertaking to investigate or address this situation.

 

The CBA is a national organization of over 37,000 lawyers, notaries, students and law teachers. Our primary objectives include upholding the rule of law as well as promoting improvements in the law and the administration of justice, within Canada and internationally. Through its membership in the International Bar Association, the CBA has access to and relationships with lawyers all around the world.

 

On November 1, 2012, a resolution setting out allegations against Chief Justice Bandaranayake was signed by 117 Members of the Sri Lankan Parliament, all from parties supportive of the Government. The resolution followed shortly on a finding by the Supreme Court that provisions of a government Bill violated the constitution and required sanction from the country's Provincial Councils.

 

The allegations set out in the resolution included: failing to follow constitutional provisions by handing a court decision to the Secretary of Parliament instead of the Speaker of Parliament; not declaring all of her bank accounts to the auditor general; harassing a magistrate; and misusing her position. A Parliamentary Select Committee was appointed to conduct an inquiry into the allegations and delivered its report, in which it found the Chief Justice guilty on several counts, to Parliament on December 8, 2012. The Sri Lankan Parliament is expected to debate the report on January 8, 2013, following which a resolution may be passed by Parliament for the removal of the Chief Justice.

The CBA has grave concerns regarding the lack of due process evident in the impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Bandaranayake and the direct involvement of the government at every stage, demonstrating a disregard for judicial independence and the rule of law. The removal of a judge should occur only in exceptional circumstances and following a fair and transparent inquiry by an independent tribunal. In this case, the Sri Lankan government laid the charges, investigated the charges and has the power to remove the Chief Justice by majority vote in parliament. By all accounts, the Chief Justice was denied an adequate period of time to prepare her defence (one week), was given no opportunity to cross-examine witnesses and was required to disprove the allegations against her (not afforded the benefit of the presumption of innocence).

 

 

The charges against Chief Justice Bandaranayake and the current impeachment process have received considerable international attention. The UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, The UN Human Rights Council, Amnesty International, the Commonwealth Secretariat and several Commonwealth legal associations have expressed their concerns regarding the deficiencies in the process, the erosion of judicial independence in Sri Lanka and a seeming pattern of political interference with the judicial system, and have called on the Sri Lankan government to comply with international standards for judicial appointments and removal. Internally the Sri Lankan Bar Association passed a unanimous resolution urging the Sri Lankan President to reconsider the proceedings and to enact a new process for judicial impeachment that protects the rules of natural justice.

Assuring the independence of the judiciary is crucial to upholding the rule of law. Judges play a key role in any democracy. A judge’s duty is to interpret and apply the law to the best of his or her ability. Citizens must be assured that judges act impartially and make their decisions free of any outside influence or interference. You are acutely aware of the widespread human violations in Sri Lanka, and we appreciate your statement following the UN Secretary General’s Internal Review Panel Report on Sri Lanka. Protecting judicial independence is critical to any initiative aimed at curbing these human rights violations. Courts stand as the last line of defence against injustice.

 

The CBA was encouraged that The Honourable Hugh Segal raised this critical situation during a Senate debate on December 12, 2012. We ask the Canadian government to urge the Sri Lankan President, before January 8, to reconsider the current impeachment proceedings and, longer term, to adopt a judicial impeachment process which serves to strengthen the rule of law and administration of justice. We would be pleased to assist you in this regard in any way possible.

Yours truly,

Robert C. Brun, Q.C.

[akootha]

to: rbrun@harrisbrun.com

 

Subject : Re: Independence of the Judiciary and Impeachment Proceedings - Sri Lanka

 

Mr. Robert C. Brun, Q.C.

 

I want to thank You for taking time and wrote about impeachment proceeding in Sri Lanka. As a Canadian and former citizen of Sri Lanka I am glad to see people like you urging our Canadian government to take some actions on this serious matter. 

 

Canada should also boycott Commonwealth summit that would be held in Sri Lanka next year, should the impeachment take place. 

 

Have a happy holiday season. 

 

Sincerely, 

 

[akootha]

To: somprakashmla@gmail.com

 

February 06, 2013

Honourable  [Shri:] Som Prakash, MLA
OBRA Constituency  Assembly,
Bihar State,
India.

Dear Sir,

Subject: Denying sin in a scared land 

 

By all accounts the president of Sri Lanka is a person who is continuing to commit crimes against humanity. His hands have directly involved in the cold blood killings of at least 40000 women and children. And not a single death has been investigated. There are thousands continue to wait for their loved ones for years and decades. Today many continue to live in fear and freedom is oppressed.

 

I kindly urge to deny entry of Sri Lankan President.

 

 

Thank you Sir,

Yours Sincerely,


CANADA.