03-30-2004, 06:21 PM
Neither UNF nor UPFA alone can find a solution to the ethnic problem - UTHR
<b>Alladin Hussein in Colombo, March 30, 2004,. 11.50 pm.</b> The University Teachers for Human Rights (UTHR) issuing a statement today declared that for the first time in history the LTTE is been challenged as never before. Its outmoded reliance on violence to maintain political control over a frightened and beleaguered population has worn thin. Tamil politicians, journalists and ordinary members of the public are openly defying the LTTEs blatant death threats, and more importantly, many are surviving. But the LTTE will not go down without a fight. It is up to all democratic forces in Sri Lanka and in the international community -- to ensure that these dissident voices continue to be heard, and that the LTTE death squads are not allowed to carry out its leaders murderous intentions. It is particularly critical that, whatever the outcome of the election is, the countrys main two parties, the United National Front and the United Peoples Freedom Alliance commit to work together towards a political solution and acknowledge the urgent need for that process to be one that promotes democratic plurality, the statement said.
The UTHR also pointed out that even though the leading Southern contenders, the UNF and the UPFA are each portraying themselves as the more credible party to solve the ethnic problem. Both have shown in practice that they would sidestep the human rights situation in the North-East and play along with the international community by covering up abuses by the LTTE. The reality is that neither party alone can find a solution to the problem, the statement declared.
It is time to demand responsible actions by each of these parties in the context of escalating LTTE violations of the Tamil peoples rights. Both parties must cooperate on the ethnic issues, regardless of the elections outcome; they must be prepared to invite the respective opposition to take an active role, one that is clearly defined. Both parties must agree to work together towards a political solution if the LTTE resumes war and refuses to abide by the MoU and other accepted international human rights norms, the statement added.
<b>Alladin Hussein in Colombo, March 30, 2004,. 11.50 pm.</b> The University Teachers for Human Rights (UTHR) issuing a statement today declared that for the first time in history the LTTE is been challenged as never before. Its outmoded reliance on violence to maintain political control over a frightened and beleaguered population has worn thin. Tamil politicians, journalists and ordinary members of the public are openly defying the LTTEs blatant death threats, and more importantly, many are surviving. But the LTTE will not go down without a fight. It is up to all democratic forces in Sri Lanka and in the international community -- to ensure that these dissident voices continue to be heard, and that the LTTE death squads are not allowed to carry out its leaders murderous intentions. It is particularly critical that, whatever the outcome of the election is, the countrys main two parties, the United National Front and the United Peoples Freedom Alliance commit to work together towards a political solution and acknowledge the urgent need for that process to be one that promotes democratic plurality, the statement said.
The UTHR also pointed out that even though the leading Southern contenders, the UNF and the UPFA are each portraying themselves as the more credible party to solve the ethnic problem. Both have shown in practice that they would sidestep the human rights situation in the North-East and play along with the international community by covering up abuses by the LTTE. The reality is that neither party alone can find a solution to the problem, the statement declared.
It is time to demand responsible actions by each of these parties in the context of escalating LTTE violations of the Tamil peoples rights. Both parties must cooperate on the ethnic issues, regardless of the elections outcome; they must be prepared to invite the respective opposition to take an active role, one that is clearly defined. Both parties must agree to work together towards a political solution if the LTTE resumes war and refuses to abide by the MoU and other accepted international human rights norms, the statement added.
<span style='font-size:20pt;line-height:100%'>Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.</span>