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Tamils march to save ‘imprisoned’
brethren in Sri Lanka [BTF
2009.06.20]
Over 100,000 people converged on the streets of
London on Saturday 20 June 2009 to remember the tens of thousands
that perished in the Sri Lankan state’s final onslaught against the
Tamil civilians and to call for the release of 300,000 that remain
under threat of death, disappearance, rape and torture in
government-run internment camps.
Protesters, carrying black flags and adorned in dark
attire, marched to rouse the UK and international
community into action over the following three demands:
• Stop the disappearances, rapes and torture occurring daily in the
internment camps and find all those who were unaccounted for.
• Free people from the camps immediately so that they can return to
their normal lives.
• Bring the perpetrators of the genocide against the Tamils to
justice.
The Tamil community disappointed and embittered by the failure of
the UK and other international powers, to prevent the recent carnage
despite constant and repeated warnings, pleaded that the
international community must at least act now decisively to save the
‘imprisoned’ civilians in these camps, who remain in grave danger.
[More........]
Pictures and
Memorandum
 British
Tamils Forum endorses Independent Tamil MEP Candidate
[BTF 2009.05.30]
British Tamils Forum (BTF) endorses the candidacy of
Ms Jan Jananayagam, who is standing as an Independent candidate, in
the forthcoming European Parliamentary Election for the London
constituency, on 4 June.
Ms Jananayagam has been an ardent campaigner for human rights, with
special interest in campaign against genocide.
BTF has been established to work for peace, with justice and dignity
for Tamils. The Forum has found common ground between their
aspirations and those of Ms Jananayagam.
BTF reiterates its non-political party affiliation
and neutrality in British politics. However, the current dire
situation in Sri Lanka, where the Tamils have been subjected to
genocide by the brutal Sri Lankan State, has distressed the
membership. After wide consultation with the membership, BTF has
decided to endorse this independent candidate.
BTF believes the candidacy of Ms Jananayagam will vitalise the
participation of British Tamils in the electoral process in Britain.
BTF calls upon its members to actively campaign among Tamils and the
larger population for the election of Ms Jananayagam to the European
Parliament.
[More........]
and
Video
 Urgent
Appeal to Protect Victims of Genocide
[BTF Press release 27.05.2009]
UN estimates over 7,000 civilians, many of them
children, died in the final offensive by the Sri Lankan military,
however according to reliable sources the figure is likely to be as
high as 25,000. The Sri Lankan State still forbids access to
international free media.
“The UN confirmed this week that as many as 300,000 Tamil refugees
are now jammed
into the camps dubbed "welfare villages". Western journalists have
been banned from
going near them.”
Dan McDougall, Award-winning reporter, undercover in Sri
Lanka’s refugee camps reported in News of the World, 24 May 2009.
Posing as an aid worker, he witnessed first hand the poignant scenes
at the camps; “A child no more than two-years-old toddles naked
towards the razor wire imprisoning her and her family. Terrified of
retribution, parents pull the child away. Many of the refugees are
dressed only in rags and tattered clothing. Chicken pox and skin
diseases are sweeping through the camp and hepatitis is a growing
problem because of poor sanitation.”
The Sri Lankan government has, to date, rejected pleas by various
governments and the Secretary- General of the UN for immediate
access to humanitarian aid agencies in to the camps. Preoccupied by
destroying the evidence of the genocide, the Sri Lankan State is
wary about allowing independent witnesses to the Tamil homeland.
Tamils in every part of Sri Lanka are held under siege. In the North
and East, they are brutalise
[More.............]
 Urgent
Appeal by the British Tamils Forum
[BTF 2009.05.11]
The British Tamils Forum urgently appeals to the
British government to do all they can to stop the massacre of Tamil
civilians in Sri Lanka, the fatal and final stage of the genocide of
Tamils.
Reliable reports received by the British Tamils
Forum, from the ‘safe zone’ in Northern Sri Lanka confirms that over
3,200 civilians have been killed and thousands more have been
injured in the past twenty four hours alone. Rescue workers fear
that the critical shortage of medicine and lack medical facilities
will add to this death toll. Sources further confirm that the Sri
Lankan forces continue to bombard the ‘safe zone’ with K-fir jets,
multi-barrel rocket launchers, cannons and cluster bombs.
British Tamils Forum has been in constant contact with the British
political establishment, warning them of the imminent carnage
unfolding in the Vanni Region, as part of this genocide. The Foreign
Secretary, Rt. Hon. David Miliband MP, spoke to his counterpart in
Sri Lanka yesterday, the details of which, has not been
disclosed........[More......]
 British
Tamils welcome Hon. Dr Jayalalitha Jeyaram’s stand on Tamil Eelam
[BTF 28.04.2009]
British Tamils along with the other worldwide Tamil
Diaspora Organisations welcome and are encouraged by the
announcement by the Former Chief Minister Ms. Jayalalitha Jeyaram of
Tamil Nadu, India, for her assertion that a separate Eelam is the
only permanent solution that will resolve the conflict in Sri Lanka.
It is significant that such a considered and
perspective declaration of position is forwarded by a Tamil Leader,
who has been Chief Minister twice, of over sixty million Tamils of
Tamil Nadu. Whilst appreciating and sharing our gratitude to many
Tamil politicians and leaders in Tamil Nadu, who have been ardent
supporters of the Tamil cause for a very long time, we feel
encouraged that Ms. Jayalalitha Jeyaram has taken this decisive
stand at this juncture of the Tamil struggle. British Tamils Forum
urges that Governments around the world and institutions such as the
UN, the EU and the Commonwealth to follow the spirit of the position
taken by the leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
(AIADMK) that would deliver justice to Tamils and bring permanent
peace
in Sri Lanka and the South Asian Region.
Press release in
English and
Tamil
 The
All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPG-T) has received
credible information that the Sri Lankan Government Forces are
preparing for a final onslaught on the ‘Safe Zone’ by air, sea and
land. This will result in a humanitarian carnage of unimaginable
magnitude with an estimated, over 100,000 civilians encircled within
a dense area. Such an offensive in a densely populated area could
potentially cause over 10,000 civilians being killed instantly.
The APPG-T appeals to Her Majesty's
Government, NGOs and Governments around the world, to act
immediately to prevent this devastation in the "No Fire Zone".
Appg for Tamils Statement
Britain’s
fatal inaction adds another 1,000 civilians to the death toll in
just 24 hours
[Press release by BTF 21.04.2009]
Over 1,000 civilians have been killed, including c470
children, in the Sri Lankan Army’s latest assault into the “Safe
Zone” which commenced in the early hours of Monday, 20 April. Four
infants less than a year old lost their mothers. Cluster bombs and
poisonous gas were used against civilians in this attack. Sri Lankan
forces used over 200 Tamil civilians as human shields during their
push towards the ‘no fire zone’. This, we have learnt from credible
sources within the conflict area. BBC World Service reported a
similar story in their ‘World Today’ program.
With their relentless bombardment the Sri Lankan military forced the
civilians to flee the ‘safety zone’ and subsequently used them as
propaganda tools with statements made by them under duress.
[More........] and
Video
 Historic
show of strength in support of the victims of Sri Lankan Genocide of
Tamils
Over 200,000 Tamils took to the streets of Central
London, on Saturday 11 April 2009, in a peaceful protest march to
show solidarity with their brethren in Sri Lanka and to demand an
immediate and permanent ceasefire in Sri Lanka. The event was part
of the worldwide protest by Tamils against the international
community’s inaction in the face of Genocide, with overwhelming
evidence, demanding justice and urgent action from the International
Community.
The march commenced at the Embankment beside the River Thames at 1pm
and snaked through famous London landmarks of Trafalgar Square,
Piccadilly Circus, Green Park, Park Lane and Marble Arch to reach
the Hyde Park for a rally at 4.30pm. As the front of the march was
reaching Hyde Park protesters were still joining the march near its
starting point at Embankment.
Protesters of all ages including children waving Tamil Eelam
National flags and flags of the Union Jack shouted slogans
including, ‘Britain Act Now - Immediate and Permanent Ceasefire in
Sri Lanka’, ‘Stop Killing Tamils’ and ‘Food & Medicine - Sri Lanka’s
weapons of War’. [More......]
London
Conference Reaffirms Tamils’ Aspirations [BTF
26.03.2006]
British Tamils Forum, assisted by the All Party Parliamentary Group
for Tamils (APPG-T), hosted an international conference,
titled "World Tamils Forum", on Thursday, 26 March 2009 at the Crown
Plaza Hotel in London. Tamil academics, professionals and
Tamil Youth from 22 countries attended the conference, at
which Rev Jesse Jackson from the USA was the key-note speaker. The
45 delegates gathered over two days to discuss and draw up a
declaration addressing the humanitarian tragedy facing Tamils
in Sri Lanka, exposing the Genocidal War, reinforcing the need for a
political process and the role that international actors would
need to play.
The Former Defence Secretary and the Prime Minister's Special
Envoy to Sri Lanka Rt. Hon. Des
Browne, Former Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer, Labour National
Executive Committee (NEC) Member Mr Mike Griffiths,
Entertainer and Charity Worker Sir Jimmy Savile, Members of
Parliament from the UK and Sri Lanka, Dignitaries and Civil
Servants also attended the conference.
[More............]
 British
Tamils urge Commonwealth to take a firm stand Sri Lanka
(BTF) 05.03.2009
Several hundred people gathered outside the
Commonwealth Secretariat on Pall Mall, to urge a firm stand to be
taken on Sri Lanka. The demonstration, by British Tamils, on
Wednesday 4th March was held to coincide with the meeting of the
Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), which addresses serious
or persistent violations of the Commonwealth's fundamental political
values.
[More...........]
British
Tamils protest in front of the offices of the United Nations High
Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)
24.02.2009 BTF
British Tamils demonstrated today in front of the
London Offices of the United Nations
High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), demanding urgent intervention
of the UN to
stop the genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Concerned by the dire situation of their brethren in the North of
Sri Lanka and the hitherto lethargic response by the UN, Tamils of
all ages took part in the protest. The slogans of an energetic and
loud protest, accompanied by placards carrying harrowing pictures of
the genocide in the Tamil homeland, attracted the attention of the
staff at the UNHCR and passersby, many of whom stopped to listen and
receive leaflets.
The protestors demanded that the UN take action rather than hide
behind words in
bureaucratic press statements.
[[More........]
and
The letter to the UN from BTF
British
Tamils protest in front of the Indian High Commission
18.02.2009
Over two thousand British Tamils protested in front
of the Indian High Commission in London demanding India to stop the
genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka. In the protest, which took place on
Wednesday 18th February between 10am and 2pm, Tamils of all ages
from children to senior citizens took part.
The slogans of an enthusiastic protest, accompanied by placards
carrying harrowing
pictures of the unfolding genocide in the Tamil homeland, attracted
the attention of passers by, many of whom stopped to listen
sympathetically.
[More.........] and the
copy of
Memorandum
Public Meeting in Brent to Discuss
the Sri Lanka Issue
18.02.2009
On a day when more grim news regarding the plight of
Tamils civilians in North East Sri
Lanka emerged, the British Tamils from the Brent area met with
members of the UK and European Parliaments representing the area.
Over 500 local Tamil residents packed the Newlight Banqueting Suite
in Wembley to meet with parliamentarians to highlight and discuss
the suffering of their brethren, which for most local Tamil
residents is the prime electoral issue.
The meeting was chaired by the Hon Dawn Butler MP and the panellists
were: Mr. Sen
Kandiah from the British Tamils Forum, Hon Robert Evans MEP, Hon
Barry Gardiner
MP, Hon Navin Shah AM, and Hon Virendra Sharma MP.
[More..........]
Sri Lankan Independence Day
(February 4th) – Black day for Tamils
While Sri Lankan government was celebrating
the 61st anniversary of the independence on the 4th February 2009,
the Sri Lankan armed forces were dropping cluster bombs on
Tamils in the Tamil homeland. While celebrations were going on in
Colombo,
[BTF Press release on 04.02.2009]
and view the
Photos
Statement by the Co-Chairs gives the Genocidal Government of Sri
Lanka the Licence to Kill – British Tamils Forum
The statement demonstrates that the Co-Chairs are either out of
touch or colluding with Colombo to oppress the legitimate
aspirations of the Tamil people. Whatever the reasons may be, the
statement has shattered the trust that the British Tamils and the
Tamil Diaspora have placed upon their respective governments and the
trust the Tamils of Sri Lanka had in the international community.
British Tamils Forum wishes to urge the international community to
understand that today’s statement by the Co-Chairs, will pave the
way for the racist State of Sri Lanka to ethnically cleanse the
Tamils.
[Press release by BTF on 04.02.2009]
Over
100000 British Tamils gather in London - to voice their anger and
make direct appeal to the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Gordon Brown
31.01.2009 Letter in PDF
 125,000
British Tamils march in protest of the continued genocide of Tamils
by the Government of Sri Lanka
A massive c125,000 Tamils in the UK and friends came together to
march in London on 31 January 2009 to highlight the plight of an
estimated 350,000 Tamil civilians caught up in the unrelenting
onslaught by the Sri Lankan armed forces. Regarded as one of the
biggest marches in London, the demonstrators showed impressive
solidarity with their brethren facing deadly peril in Sri Lanka. The
march proceeded peacefully. It was remarkable to note the high
proportion of British born Tamils participating. The protest, which
was arranged in less than a week by Action Committee Against
Genocide of Tamils, an umbrella body made up of several Tamil
organisations, commenced at 1pm at Millbank, Central London and
continued till Temple Place where it ended at 6pm. [More............]
To see the
photos and
Videos
 Speech
delivered by Suren Surendiran as British Tamils Forum Spokesperson
at the meeting with Foreign Secretary Rt. Hon David Miliband MP and
Foreign Minister Lord Mark Malloch Brown on 27 January 2009 at the
UK Parliament
[Full text version]
BTF 27.Jan.2009
 FCO
contradicts No 10 on Tamils Plight in Sri Lanka
[Press
release by BTF 23.01.2009]
British Tamils Forum (BTF) strongly condemns the statement of the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on 21 January 2009, which
could be perceived as condoning the sustained program of genocide of
Tamils by the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL).
[More........] and for
Tamil version
"Anyone who dares give any consideration to the prospects of
genocide in Sri Lanka is described as a terrorist”
– MP at the UK Parliament [BTF
19 December 2008]
10 Members of Parliament from
all three main political parties representing the people of the
United Kingdom, without exception spoke in favour of Tamils, in the
allocated 14 minutes during the adjournment debate secured by the
Hon Andrew Pelling MP for Croydon Central.
The fact that many MPs turned up for this debate especially being
the final item at the end of parliamentary session before the
Christmas recess was itself commended by MPs, British Tamil
Community and political observers. [More.........] Watch
the video from 7:27 min
 Vaiko
urges British Parliament to restore Eezham Tamil sovereignty
[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26
November 2008, 19:06 GMT]
Vaiko, the general secretary of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetta
Kazhakam (MDMK) from Tamil Nadu, while addressing British
parliamentarians of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for
Tamils on Wednesday in the British Parliament, said that the British
Parliament has a moral responsibility to rectify the historic
injustice caused on to the Eezham Tamils during the colonial rule.
It was the British who statutorily put the Tamil and the Sinhala
territories together in 1833, made Ceylon a unitary entity and
refused to consider federalism in their constitutional reforms. When
they left in 1948, they passed on the power to the Sinhala
majoritarian rulers, he said.
[More........]
 Great
Nation - Tamil Nadu,
Grateful People – Tamil Eelam
[19 November 2008, BTF]
Thousands of
people, largely Tamils and some British NGOs (Non-Governmental
Organisation) participated in a demonstration outside the UK
Parliament at the Parliament Square between 3.30pm and 6.30pm,
today, Wednesday, 19 November 2008. The day was chosen as it is the
Prime Minister’s Question (PMQ) day, Wednesday to have the attention
of the maximum number of Members of Parliament.
[More.......]
in
Tamil and
To view Photos
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