| 18-08-2005
We reproduce an article by D.B.S Jeyaraj
published in Tamil Week, 25 March 2006, on the continuing debates
in Canada regarding the Human Rights Watch report titled “Funding
the Final War: LTTE Intimidation and Extortion in the Tamil Diaspora”.
Editor - SLDF Newswire
http://transcurrents.com/tamiliana/archives/119
Tamil Canadians and the Human Rights
Watch Report
March 25, 2006 at 2:28 am · Filed under crossCurrents
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The largest concentration of Sri Lankan Tamils outside Sri Lanka
is in
Canada. More than 250,000 Tamils live in Canada now. Of these more
than
200,000 Tamils are in the Greater Toronto area. Toronto is the largest
“Sri Lankan Tamil” City in the Global Tamil Diaspora. The Tamil population
here is larger than those in North - Eastern cities and towns like
Jaffna,
Batticaloa, Vavuniya, Trincomalee etc.
It was predictable therefore that the Human Rights Watch report released
on March 15th caused great waves within the Tamil community of Greater
Toronto.The 45-page report authored by HRW Advocacy director of Chldren’s
rights Jo Becker dealt with fund raising for the LTTE and was titled
,
“Funding the “Final War:” LTTE Intimidation and Extortion in the Tamil
Diaspora”.The report focussed on London in Britain and Toronto in
Canada.
The Tamil Diaspora in these two Countries amount to nearly half of
the
total number of Tamils living in the West.
The reaction among Canadian Tamils was manifold. Though the LTTE and
its
minions try to project an impression that the community is 100% behind
the
LTTE the truth is different. About 15to 20% are hard core tiger supporters
while another 10 to 15% are firmly opposed to the LTTE. The rest are
of
many mindsets. Most feel strongly as Tamils but differ in their degrees
of
support or opposition to the LTTE. Many do not support the tigers
on every
issue but generally support the Tamil cause and feel that they are
necessary to combat the Sinhala state. Others disapporove of tiger
actions
but are equally or more opposed to Sinhala racist ideology. Some have
“Canadianised” strongly and are just not bothered about anything
concerning the “ole” country.
So when the HRW report was released the various strands in the community
reacted differently. This response was of two kinds. One was openly
articulated and public while the other larger response was among the
people themselves and kept private. This column has repeatedly referred
to
a vociferous pro - tiger minority hogging the megaphone and posing
off as
the sole voice of the Tamils within the Canadian Tamil Diaspora. This
phenomenon was once again present.
An organization calling itself the Canadian Tamil Congress issued
a
stinging press release. Earlier there was an outfit claiming to represent
Canadian Tamils that called itself the FACT. (Federation of Associations
of Canadian Tamils). This outfit was clearly identified by the USA
and
Canadian authorities as a tiger front. Thereafter the FACT went out
of
circulation and in its place there arose the CTC. In keeping with
typical
LTTE style the CTC accused the HRW and Jo Becker of bias and pooh
poohed
the report.
The CTC also held a press conference that was attended largely by
Tamil
“community representatives”. In fact the 70 to 80 Tamil “community
leaders” vastly outnumbered the genuine media representatives present.
Significantly enough the much maligned HRW sent a representative as
an
“observer” to the press conference but was refused admission. The
press
conference was used by many speakers to attack the HRW and Ms. Becker
personally evoking cheers and applause from the “packed” audience.
What was astounding about the tiger and pro - tiger response to the
HRW
report was the brazen attempt to deny the whole thing. Every member
of the
Tamil Diaspora knows that fund raising goes on. Many Tamils do give
money
willingly to the LTTE. Some are “pressured” to give more. Others are
coerced into giving. While some Tamils have never been asked for money
almost everyone knows of at least a few instances of money being collected
and the intimidation involved.
A rational response by the tiger and pro - tiger elements could have
been
to “admit” to a little bit of fund raising going on but deny that
it was
widespread. They could also have said that the money was raised for
humanitarian purposes and not to fund the LTTE war chest. On the question
of intimidation they could have denied it and said action would be
taken
against anyone found guilty if evidence was presented.
Given the fact that fund raising along with some force and intimidation
in
some instances does exist within the community attempting to deny
the
obvious was like the Tamil saying about trying to conceal a whole
pumpkin
in a plantain leaf of rice. Yet this exactly was what the pro - tiger
sections tried to do.Instead of being on the defensive and engaging
in
intelligent damage control the tiger minions went on the offensive
and
took on the HRW and Ms. Jo Becker crudely and rudely.
This flagrant attempt to deny the obvious , discredit the HRW and
distort
reality did not go down well with many members of the Tamil “Silent
Majority”. What was mostly resented was the pro - tiger elements trying
to
interprete the HRW report as affecting the entire community. It was
not.
The HRW report affected only those supporters and workers of the LTTE
engaged in fund raising. It did not affect the community at large
in any
way. In fact the report brought to light the pathetic predicament
faced by
Tamil Canadians at the hands of some of their “imagined” kinsfolk.
Many
Tamils found their non - Tamil colleagues being sympathetic and
considerate towards their plight after details of the HRW report became
known.
It was apparent that the LTTE and its minions were in a state of
“disconnect” with the bulk of Tamil Canadians. Most Tamils were a
little
upset but not unduly troubled by the HRW report . The uppermost thought
in
their minds was that this publicity could make the tiger cohorts go
“slow”
or go “soft” in their fund raising.
[Prime Minsiter Paul Martin visiting Markham’s Cedarwood Public School,
in
the aftermath of 2004 tsunami, where about two-thirds of the student
body
is Sri Lankan - CP]
While most Tamils do feel strongly about the Tamil plight and recognize
the need for fund raising they resent the heavy handed, rough methods
of
the fund raisers. Many are sympathetic towards the “boys and girls”
bearing arms for the Tamils but hate these parasitical fund raisers.
Adding fuel to this resentment is the fact that many Canadian Tamils
are
suspicious about the bona fides of some of these LTTE fund raisers.
They
are also uncertain as to how much exactly is actually going to the
LTTE in
Sri Lanka. It is an open secret that many Tamil businesses are funded
by
the local LTTE. Tiger acolytes also engage in direct wholesale business
using money collected from the people. In order to corner the market
and
drive out competition a large amount of money is used to undercut
others.
This “subsidy” is from the people’s donations.
Several tiger fund raisers have been given houses, cars and even paid
salaries out of money collected here. There is also much corruption
and
several operatives without any overt source of income are living iit
off
grandly. Some top tiger operatives have often been “fired” on charges
of
graft by the movement.Also some senior fund raisers are given 10 to
20%
commission of money collected as an incentive. There is no accountability.
So the ordinary people remained unruffled even as the tiger operatives
careered around like headless chickens. Though the LTTE was trying
to make
out that a great calamity had befallen Canadian Tamils most members
of the
community were privately happy that those professing to represent
the LTTE
in Toronto had been given a jolt. There was also hope that the tigers
would be careful at least in the future not to harass or intimidate
Tamils. Many people were prepared to donate to the cause but resented
the
intimidation and corruption.
One of the most comical responses came from LTTE political Commissar
Suppiah Paramu Thamilselvan who denied fund raising abroad. Funny
if the
LTTE does not get money from the Diaspora where then does it get its
money? Furthermore Thamilselvan charged the HRW of not approaching
them to
get the LTTE side of the story. LTTE political affairs committee member
and self - styled Toronto Tamil spkesperson Nehru Gunaratnam also
lamented
to the media that community leaders had not been interviewed and only
alleged victims had been interviewed.Does the LTTE expect the HRW
to
interview them about the victims and not the victims themselves?
[Ms.Jo Becker, at a Toronto presentation of report titled “Living
In Fear:
Child Soldiers and the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka”, in December 2004
- Pic
by Tamil Canadian]
In any case Thamilselvan was not correct in saying the HRW had not
contacted the LTTE. According to HRW circles the researcher /writer
Ms. Jo
Becker had sent more than one e - mail to Prabakharan alias Pulidevan
the
head of the LTTE peace sscretariat requesting a LTTE reponse to some
questions . These were ignored. She had also contacted Santhan the
head of
the British Tamil association in London.The BTA is the British Pro
- tiger
organization. He had declined to be interviewed. He also refused to
arrange for a meeting with LTTE ideologue Mr. Anton Balasingham.
In Canada Mr. Sittampalam president of the World Tamil Movement was
interviewed. The WTM like the FACT is an accredited front organization
of
the LTTE. Mr. Sittampalam denied that the LTTE was active in Canada
or
that money was being raised on its behalf. Mr. Sittampalams response
was
duly recorded in the HRW report with a commentary note that testimonies
from the Tamil community dispute this assertion.
Thus it could be seen that the HRW did make an effort to get the LTTE
version of events too. Mr. Thamilselvan is not telling the truth when
he
says the tigers were not contacted by the HRW. The LTTE by ignoring
the
HRW has by default lost a good opportunity to present their side of
the
picture.Likewise Mr. Nehru Gunaratnam is also wrong in saying that
the so
called community leaders were not interviewed because the WTM president
was interviewed. Perhaps Mr. Gunaratnam does not regard Mr. Sittampalam
as
a Tamil community leader.
One of the biggest challenges posed by the HRW to the LTTE was the
ready
availability of its report in Tamil. In 2004 December when the report
on
Child Soldiers in the LTTE was released the HRW made it available
in
Tamil. This was the case now also. The full report was available on
the
net and also hard copy. Though the LTTE media took great pains to
criticise and condemn the report without publicising its contents
to the
Tamil people many went direct to the web and downloaded it. Copies
were
made and distributed.Other community activists also distributed copies
to
those who needed it.
Thus most people in the Tamil Canadian community who wanted to read
the
report had obtained a copy by the end of the week. With the LTTE media
thundering against the report many people were eager to read it
themselves. The HRW report was perhaps the most widely read “document”
among Canadian Tamils in recent times that was critical of the LTTE.
Many
recognized in the report’s anecdotal evidence , similiar experiences
they
personally underwent themselves at the hands of fund collectors .
Soon
people were talking excitedly about the hated tiger fund raisers being
exposed. Some said” if they (HRW) had contacted me I would have told
them
more”.
Once again the “disconnect” between the LTTE activists and ordinary
Tamil
people became blatantly visible. While the people were appreciating
and
endorsing contents of the report among themselves the tiger minions
were
ranting and railing against the HRW and denying that fund raising
was
going on. The fact that the “silent majority” confirming the HRW report
could not come forward openly speaks volumes about the “terror ” inflicted
upon the community. The HRW report itself explains this clearly. Yet
the
LTTE too was unable to get any prominent “Non - Tiger” Tamils to speak
out
against the HRW. Many engaging in the orchestrated anti - HRW campaign
are
recognized tiger sympathisers and supporters.
With some critics raising questions about the HRW methodology and
credentials of Ms. Jo Becker the HRW came out with a press release
clarifying those matters. It also highlighted some provisions already
mentioned in the report but conveniently ignored by the tiger elements.
This statement was depicted as a HRW admission of guilt. The HRW was
“backtracking” the LTTE gloated. This was simply not true and served
to
illustrate the depths to which the tiger acolytes can sink in maligning
their perceived opponents. The HRW continues to stand by its report
and
has not backtracked at all.
The HRW also opened up space on its website for comments and suggestions
about the report. Instead of utilising an opportunity to express
legitimate , constructive criticism about the report an orchestrated
campaign was once again underfoot to malign and slander the HRW and
Ms.
Becker. But very soon the non - tigers and anti - tigers jumped in
to the
fray.
It was thereafter a verbal free for all. The report and its contents
were
forgotten. Totally irrelevant issues were raised. Foul language was
used.
Charges and counter charges prevailed. It was another missed opportunity
for tiger supporters to convey their views effectively. One thing
however
was clear. The tigers and their supporters have lost the monopoly
they
once had over cyberspace.The HRW comments section also illustrated
the
fact that the community had lost its ability to conduct an intelligent,
coherent, civil discussion on crucial issues.
The LTTE also launched a massive letter writing cum e - mail signature
campaign against the HRW. “model” letters were drafted and copied
to be
sent to HRW. Though LTTE organs have boasted about 20,000 plus letters
being sent the actual number barely exceeded three digits at first.
Later
the LTTE was forced to take special steps to send letters in bulk.
One
reason for people being reluctant to petition the HRW was because
they
knew that the otganization was telling the truth. Also people did
not
believe the tiger allegation that the HRW had mala fide motives in
compiling the report.
While the LTTE smirked in myopic satisfaction about the HRW backtracking
it would be pertinent to see what impact the report has had on Canadian
mainstream media. Given the prestige enjoyed by the HRW in North America
the report was given much publicity. Apart from the wire services
reports
the CBC radio and main newspapers also gave much coverage. The CBC
devoted
time to the report in its “Metro Morning” “Current” and “Ontario Today”
programs. Ms. Jo Becker and CTC spokesperson David Poopalapillai were
interviewed. So too were some Tamil residents including this columnist.
Newspapers like the “Globe and Mail” “Toronto Star” and “National
Post”
also gave coverage. Editorials were written urging the authorities
to ban
the LTTE in Canada. The “rightist” National Post urging a ban was
nothing
new as it has done so in the past. But the bitter lesson for the LTTE
was
the role of “Toronto Star” Canadas largest circulated newspaper. The
Star
is a liberal pro - immigrant, pro - minority journal. Yet that paper
urged
a ban. It also focussed on this fund raising even before the HRW report
and had a centre spread article. While giving space to the pro - LTTE
rebuttals the “Star” also gave prominence to a little known non -
tiger
group that welcomed the report.
In its editorial of March 16th the “Star” had a sly dig at those in
the
community saying that there was no tiger activity in Canada. If that
was
the case then banning the tigers need not make anyone object the “star”
suggested tongue in cheek. If the LTTE acolytes in Canada had any
sense
they should take serious note of the “Star” leader. The fact that
such a
reputed liberal newspaper could urge a ban demonstrates how low LTTE
stock
is with the Canadian mainstream. The writing may be on the wall for
the
LTTE in Canada if the “Star” response is an indicator.
The security certificate issued against former WTM administrator Suresh
Manickavasagam in 1995 cited him as a LTTE fund raiser. That order
issued
under sec 40 of the Immigration Act was signed by the then Immigration
Minister Sergio Marchi and Solicitor - General Herb Gray. It was
subsequently upheld by Federal Court Judge Max Teitelbaum. This was
a
clear instance where the Canadian executive and Judiciary regarded
the
LTTE as “terrorist” and fund raising as an offence.
After the Sep 11th 2001 twin tower bombings the UN suppression of
terrorism act was passed in Canada too. Under this act financing of
terrorism was expressly forbidden. The LTTE was listed under this
law and
funding the tigers was made illegal. Canada also passed a rigid anti
-
terrorist law called the Anti - Terrorism Act or C - 36.
More than 30 foreign organizations were banned under that law but
not the
LTTE. Though security agencies had recommended a ban it was put on
hold.
It was reported then that the former Foreign Affairs Minister Bill
Graham
had persuaded his cabinet colleagues not to ban the LTTE as the
organization was engaged in a peace process and that a ban may affect
it.
This was under a Liberal party Government. Now the Conservatives are
in
power. Two present Cabinet ministers have while in the opposition
called
for a ban on the LTTE . They are Peter MacKay the Foreign Affairs
Minister
and Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day.
Interestingly enough these are the two ministers who would have a
key role
to play in determining which organizations are to be banned under
the
terrorism act. Mr. Day was foreign affairs critic when in the opposition
and consistently called for a LTTE ban.Mr. MacKay called for a ban
during
the Parliamentary polls campaign but “muted” his views because of
pressure
from Toronto region candidates.
[L-R] Roy Cullen, John Cannis and Jim Karigiannis at a CTC organized
debate in Jan 2006 - Photo TamilNet]
Since there is a substantial Tamil voting bloc in about ten to twelve
ridings or electorates Conservative candidates including one of Sri
Lankan
origin did not want to upset the LTTE. This was under the mistaken
impression that the LTTE controls Tamil voters in Canada. Once again
the
vociferous minority hogging the Tamil megaphone had created that illusion.
In actual terms this was not true. Except for some hard core tiger
supporters most Tamil voters decided independently. These decisions
were
based on a number of issues affecting them as “Canadians” and not
on a
single “Tamil” based issue.
The LTTE elements who had been backing the Liberals in the past few
elections switched sides this time and expressed support for the
Conservatives. This was due to two reasons. One was the realisation
that
the Liberals were on the decline and that the Conservatives were the
favourites. So they jumped aboard the bandwagon.
[Vincent Veerasuntharam, Conservative Party candidate in Scarborough
Southwest in Federal Election 2006, paying tribute to Tsunami Victims
at
a Tsumani Vigil on Dec 26, 2005]
The second was to influence the Conservatives and prevent harsh action
against the LTTE. The electoral verdict however showed that the Greater
Toronto region remained Liberal or New Democratic . The Conservatives
did
not fare well here because of the new immigrant, visible minority
vote.
It remains to be seen therefore what the Conservative Government will
do.
Some weeks ago Mr. Day was asked about this at a press conference
and he
replied that the matter was being looked into. This was before the
HRW
report. The situation is different now.
What the report has done is to inform mainstream Canada about the
activities of the LTTE and about how a segment of Canada’s population
is
being victimised by a group claiming to represent them. The issue
is about
a section of Canada’s population being under “attack” in Canada. This
is
an assault on the freedom , rights and core values of Canada.
In a sense the issue has moved beyonde the realm of foreign policy.
What
is at stake here is the violation of the law and basic tenets of human
rights. This is now a Canadian issue. The hardhitting Editorial by
a
liberal newspaper like “The Toronto Star” is an index of how progressive
mainstream opinion views the problem. If the LTTE wants to stave off
a
future ban it needs to undertake a massive damage control exercise.
Unfortunately those who claim to support the LTTE have shown themselves
incapable of gauging or meeting the challenge. They have only been
able to
engage in predictable antics. Accusing the HRW of ulterior motives
and
colluding with Colombo, denigrating the integrity and efficiency of
Jo
Becker, Denying that fund raising takes place, attacking people suspected
of providing information as anti - tiger or mercenaries, derisively
mocking their perceived critics etc. is what they are doing now.These
cheap puerile tactics may win them applause among tiger supporters
but
will not help their cause in any way.
The LTTE has also commenced its usual intimidatory tactics. Many people
suspected of helping the HRW are being attacked in their media.
Threatening telephone calls are also being made. This columnist too
is at
the receiving end. Though I was not involved with the HRW report and
references to me in the report were taken by the HRW from an open
letter I
wrote in 1996 the tiger media has started vilifying me. The usual
anonymous calls are also on. If this “intimidation” was intended to
make
me back off it has been counterproductive.
What these elements failed to comprehend was that I had no connection
to
the report and I had planned initially to remain aloof from commenting
about it. I revised my decision and started writing extensively for
three
reasons. One was the vilification campaign and threats like the challenge
issued by the LTTE website “Nitharsanam” that it would slander and
defame
me if I wrote anything.
Secondly was my disgust at the conduct of some Canadian Tamils denying
the
fund raising itself and defending the indefensible. Thirdly I was
angered
by the attacks launched on Ms. Jo Becker and the HRW for having written
a
truthful report and felt they should be supported publicly. As long
as the
LTTE launches vituperative attacks I would continue espousing this
HRW
report.
The LTTE is yet to learn that “Bullying” does not always pay. In December
2004 the HRW released a report on Child Soldiers. A meeting was held
at
the Scarborough Civic Centre. A gang of pro - tiger hooligans invaded
the
place and constantly heckled Jo Becker. Even former Ontario premier
Bob
Rae was prevented from addressing the meeting for a long time. An
enraged
Rae exclaimed that in his 25 years of public life he had never undergone
such an experience.
[Bob Rae Chair and President of Forum of Federations, met S.P.
Thamilselvan in Kilinochchi in August 2004]”
But did the LTTE supporters gain anything by this show of force? Instead
of being cowed into silence the very same Jo Becker has come out with
another HRW report. Still the LTTE supporters continue with their
intimidatory tactics. This has resulted in many people coming forward
with
their experiences and the truth. For the first time perhaps four Tamil
persons in Toronto were bold enough to sign an open letter with their
real
names criticising the LTTE and endorsing the report. More than one
person
was emboldened to speak out feely to the media.
Realistically however one cannot see the fund raising end unless and
until
a satisfactory political settlement is reached in Sri Lanka. Those
committed tiger supporters as well as Tamils yearning for an end to
the
oppression of the Sinhala state would keep on giving money for the
Tamil
cause. This is understandable.
The problem however is in adopting coercive tactics to make people
give
more or to make those unwilling give.If tiger agents desist from
intimidating the unwilling and harassing the incapable and rely only
on
their diehard supporters for money then there would not be any major
problem.
The Tamils who took up refuge in Canada should not be victimised by
an
organization claiming to represent them.They are now Canadian citizens
and
bound by the laws of their adopted Country. The Canadian state should
extend every protection to its citizens and this includes the Tamil
Canadians too.
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