Sri Lanka: An Arms Embargo
By Chandi Sinnathurai
15 November, 2007
Countercurrents.orgThere is almost an out cry against Sri Lanka to stop the un-declared war Against the Tamils. For the last so many years, this unceasing conflict has continued and up to date it has claimed over 18,000 lives. Many more thousands are maimed and traumatised by this bloody war since the early 1980s. Even as we write, thousands simply ‘disappear’ daily, never to be found again.
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) letter dated November 7th.has endorsed the bill proposing an arms embargo against Sri Lanka. The letter states to the US Senate:
Human Rights Watch strongly endorses these conditions and believes that their implementation will help protect thousands of civilians and allow Sri Lankan civil society to operate more freely. It is important to note that the Department of State has publicly supported a strong UN monitoring mission and urged Sri Lanka to meet the conditions in the Senate bill. We look forward to your support for this measure.
The HRW’s move must now gather an international momentum and bring about pressure to bear on Sri Lanka to halt the war. Firstly, by cutting the supply line of arms and ammunitions flowing into the island. Secondly, preparing to dialogue.
What the US Senate is proposing currently is that, conditions are put in place, in order to restrict the sale and transfer of arms to Sri Lanka, UNTIL the Sri Lankan Government improves its human rights record. Expecting the Sri Lankan regime to “improve” their human rights record is like employing foxes as security guards to guard a chicken farm.
The only workable action against the State terror machine is an international arms embargo.
The Tamil Tigers have signalled via their new Political head Mr Nadesan their willingness to Dialogue. They have however openly declared that any open and frank dialogue that would pave way to sustainable peace should recognise the sovereignty of the Tamil people.
An indigenous people to struggle for their self-determination is not a cardinal sin.
The Sri Lankan state should welcome dialogue not as an entrapping strategy but as a pragmatic move towards genuinely honouring the aspirations of the Tamils.
There is believed to be a general consensus globally. Should there be a permanent solution to this lethal conflict, fresh and creative engagement is a must.
To that end, an arms embargo will be a stepping stone…beginning of a process. Beating swords into ploughshares… beginning of the end of blood spilling.
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