03-17-2006, 02:58 AM
<b>Tamil leaders deny extortion claim
Say extortion allegation is unfounded
Claim of guerrillas' fundraising in Toronto rejected</b>
Mar. 16, 2006. 05:04 AM
SURYA BHATTACHARYA AND MICHELLE SHEPHARD
STAFF REPORTERS
Prominent members of Toronto's Tamil community are lashing out at a report that says the community is being extorted and intimidated by the Tamil Tigers guerrilla group.
At a news conference organized by the Canadian Tamil Congress, community members said yesterday the report's allegations are unfounded and they denied there are fundraising drives to support the guerrillas.
"I find the report painful," said Sri-Guggan Sriskandarajah, of Toronto's Tamil Eelam Society of Canada. "It is hurtful for the entire community."
The report by New York-based Human Rights Watch calls on the Canadian government to investigate claims the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (known as the Tamil Tigers or LTTE), who are fighting to create an independent state in Sri Lanka, are forcing members of Toronto's Tamil community to fund the "final war."
Those who refuse, the report says, have their lives and those of their families in Sri Lanka threatened.
"The report vilifies the community, which can lead to . . . discrimination," said Lew Lederman, a lawyer from Ottawa, who represents members of the Tamil community. He said the tone of the report was condescending.
Jo Becker, the report's author, said she stands by her findings and is urging the Canadian government and Toronto police force to investigate the claims.
"We interviewed dozens of representatives from the Tamil community, including individuals, business owners, professionals, activists, and journalists. Their testimonies were credible and consistent; their personal experiences, as well as information from their colleagues, neighbours and family members indicated a widespread and systematic campaign by the LTTE to obtain funds from Tamils in the West," Becker said yesterday.
There was little response from the federal government yesterday. The Conservatives, while in opposition, called on the government to label the LTTE a terrorist organization in Canada.
But a spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day would say only that the report is being considered.
The report acknowledges that most victims of extortion are too fearful to step forward, but it also says the issue is not a priority for the police and is regarded as more of a "Tamil problem," than a Canadian one.
That accusation makes the police and justice system look bad, said Sriskandarajah.
"This report makes it seem like they are ignoring the facts," he said. "But there are no facts because no charges in Canada have ever been laid regarding extortion of Tamils."
Toronto police spokesperson Mark Pugash also said the criticism against the police was unwarranted since there were no formal complaints.
"I spoke to the superintendents at 42 and 23 Divisions (where there are large Tamil populations) and asked are there people coming in the door with these allegations and they both said, `No, they are not'," Pugash said yesterday.
But he added: "That doesn't mean clearly it's not happening. There may be reasons why people are not coming forward."
Ashwin Balamohan, a University of Toronto student, told the news conference the community would now consider its response to the report.
"We are going to consult on what to do next, including responding to the report," he said.
Toronto Star
Say extortion allegation is unfounded
Claim of guerrillas' fundraising in Toronto rejected</b>
Mar. 16, 2006. 05:04 AM
SURYA BHATTACHARYA AND MICHELLE SHEPHARD
STAFF REPORTERS
Prominent members of Toronto's Tamil community are lashing out at a report that says the community is being extorted and intimidated by the Tamil Tigers guerrilla group.
At a news conference organized by the Canadian Tamil Congress, community members said yesterday the report's allegations are unfounded and they denied there are fundraising drives to support the guerrillas.
"I find the report painful," said Sri-Guggan Sriskandarajah, of Toronto's Tamil Eelam Society of Canada. "It is hurtful for the entire community."
The report by New York-based Human Rights Watch calls on the Canadian government to investigate claims the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (known as the Tamil Tigers or LTTE), who are fighting to create an independent state in Sri Lanka, are forcing members of Toronto's Tamil community to fund the "final war."
Those who refuse, the report says, have their lives and those of their families in Sri Lanka threatened.
"The report vilifies the community, which can lead to . . . discrimination," said Lew Lederman, a lawyer from Ottawa, who represents members of the Tamil community. He said the tone of the report was condescending.
Jo Becker, the report's author, said she stands by her findings and is urging the Canadian government and Toronto police force to investigate the claims.
"We interviewed dozens of representatives from the Tamil community, including individuals, business owners, professionals, activists, and journalists. Their testimonies were credible and consistent; their personal experiences, as well as information from their colleagues, neighbours and family members indicated a widespread and systematic campaign by the LTTE to obtain funds from Tamils in the West," Becker said yesterday.
There was little response from the federal government yesterday. The Conservatives, while in opposition, called on the government to label the LTTE a terrorist organization in Canada.
But a spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day would say only that the report is being considered.
The report acknowledges that most victims of extortion are too fearful to step forward, but it also says the issue is not a priority for the police and is regarded as more of a "Tamil problem," than a Canadian one.
That accusation makes the police and justice system look bad, said Sriskandarajah.
"This report makes it seem like they are ignoring the facts," he said. "But there are no facts because no charges in Canada have ever been laid regarding extortion of Tamils."
Toronto police spokesperson Mark Pugash also said the criticism against the police was unwarranted since there were no formal complaints.
"I spoke to the superintendents at 42 and 23 Divisions (where there are large Tamil populations) and asked are there people coming in the door with these allegations and they both said, `No, they are not'," Pugash said yesterday.
But he added: "That doesn't mean clearly it's not happening. There may be reasons why people are not coming forward."
Ashwin Balamohan, a University of Toronto student, told the news conference the community would now consider its response to the report.
"We are going to consult on what to do next, including responding to the report," he said.
Toronto Star
[size=11]<b>Freedom is never given. It has to be fought for and won. </b>
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