Campaign Objectives
Our immediate priority is end the continued suffering of over 100,000 civilians still currently held in the crowded and insanitary main internment camps and closed transit camps, and to safeguard the fundamental human rights of more than 10,000 people who are detained on suspicion of having been involved with the LTTE.
Beyond that, we support the right of all Sri Lankans, irrespective of race or religion, to voice their opinions peacefully and without fear of assault or murder. We seek a full investigation of crimes committed by all parties during and since the recent conflict. And, without favouring any particular political or constitutional formula, we urge the government and all other parties in Sri Lanka to lose no time in working together for a peaceful political solution of the problems and grievances that have given rise to so much violence in the past.
With these objectives in mind, we make the following demands:
The GoSL to allow international human rights observers into all parts of all camps, as well as the areas where people are being resettled
The GoSL to allow those still in the camps full free movement in and out whilst permanent solutions are developed, and to allow all NGOs, local and international, unhindered access to these innocent people who, after enduring months of trauma, need much physical and psycho-social healthcare.
The GoSL to put in place and make known a detailed plan for closing the main camps, in order to ensure that people are "resettled" in places of their own choosing, with full respect for their dignity and basic human rights.
The GoSL respect and ensure the human rights of more than 10,000 persons detained on suspicion of having been involved with the LTTE. More details about this can be found here.
The GoSL and the UN to abide, rigorously and consistently, by the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement in order to promote return to people’s home areas and homes in safety and dignity.
The UN Secretary General, and his representatives, to continue to press for all those held in camps to be treated in line with international standards, to correct unexplained breaks with normal practice and, in particular, to make ICRC access to all detention centres a non-negotiable demand.
Given the need for tight coordination of all UN agencies and for pressure to be sustained on a daily basis, we again call on the UN Secretary-General to appoint – with all urgency – a Special Envoy for Sri Lanka.
The Government of India to use its forthcoming talks with the GoSL to express much stronger concern about the conditions in the camps, the failure to respect international standards and the likelihood of further unrest.
All donor countries, all those countries that supported the GoSL at the UN Human Rights Council in May 2009, and members of the Commonwealth to express these same concerns.
Do you think the Government of Sri Lanka will accept these demands?
Given the enormous suffering of the people in the camps, and given the huge importance to Sri Lanka of finding a way to heal this destructive conflict so that it doesn't fester or flare up later, we hope so. But we are also realistic enough to know that these proposals or similar have not been upheld by the Government. That is why this campaign is so important. Today the only pressure on the Government is coming from sources which are arguing for even more extreme solutions. What this Campaign will do is to balance out this pressure, both directly but also by putting pressure on the international community. In turn this will give Sinhalese moderates, religious (Buddhist and Catholics) Sinhalese of good will and Sinhalese business leaders more reason to engage than they have had recently. It is understandable that the Sinhalese, tired of war and indoctrinated to think that the LTTE were the only cause, would rally behind this Government who have used jingoistic language with reference to victories of past Sinhalese kings, to manipulate sentiment. But peace won by the brutal humiliation of a people is not secure or sustainable not least because there will be greater costs (financial and reputational) until the Government adopt a more compassionate and fair approach. The messages of this Campaign - 'Not in my name' and 'Enough is Enough' - should alert the Government of Sri Lanka that if it persists in acting unreasonably, it will face further costs.
Which international governments do we need to influence?
Of particular importance are those democratic governments that have sided with the Government of Sri Lanka – Japan, India, Pakistan, Brazil, South Africa. Sri Lanka’s main backers today - China, Russia, Iran, Burma – are less amenable to pressure. But if it was just them, the Government of Sri Lanka would be much more worried and hence the importance of the other countries. Also important are France, UK and USA which have said the right things but failed to do what they could have done. Canada is also significant given its long relationship with Sri Lanka, its support for previous peace initiatives and its membership of G8.
Why are you targeting well known individuals and celebrities? Why not go straight to elected officials and or the public?
Given that most Governments have found it convenient to treat this situation as a low priority, respond with “kid gloves” or actively side with the Government of Sri Lanka, it will take celebrities and opinion-shapers of the kind that we have in our Council of Advisors to embarrass governments into action and kick-start a public campaign. Recent examples of such campaigns include George Clooney (Darfur), Bono (AIDS), Bob Geldof (African relief), Joanna Lumley (Gurkhas), and Arundhati Roy (tribal people).
What exactly do you want supporters to sign up for?
By signing you are saying 'enough is enough' and that what your government has allowed to happen in Sri Lanka is 'not in your name'. Specifically, you are showing your support for the 8 campaign demands. Just by signing up and allowing us to make this known, you are showing your peers, the media, your government and the Government of Sri Lanka that things are changing and that more and more people are watching. If you can do something more active - eg call your MP, raise the issue when you are next interviewed, talk to any friends you may have from Sri Lanka or elsewhere and encourage them to act too, even better! I
Is this a campaign for a separate state for Tamils?
No, this Campaign is about the immediate need for safety and well-being of the 108,000 people who are still in the camps, some of whom are still there and some scattered in other holding centres.