David In The Lion’s Den
By Chandi Sinnathurai
16 November, 2013
Countercurrents.org
The English Tory Prime Minister David Cameron now publicly traps the pride and prejudice of the Sinhala Lion in its bloodstained den. To the Rajapaksha brothers this is much more than an embarrassment.
The Guardian in London reported, “Cameron said on Saturday: "Let me be very clear. If an investigation is not completed by March, then I will use our position on the United Nations human rights council to work with the UN human rights commission and call for a full credible and independent international inquiry."
Cameron wants investigations promptly done before the end of March on all the human rights abuses perpetrated by the Sri Lankan state on Tamil citizens during the conflict.
David Cameron spoke plainly: He has given a clear deadline for action. If the Sri Lankan state will not cooperate, then Britain along with the UN human rights council will initiate “a full credible and independent international inquiry.”
The Rajapaksha brothers might take this as an empty threat. However, if David Cameron’s plan of action were to become a reality in due course, the Rajapaksha power den will have to lean on the support of their friends in China and Russia. Rajapaksha is not totally an amateur when it comes to such geo-political power games.
Now, for the moment, among the Tamils, both in the Diaspora and in the war ravaged Tamil country, Cameron is seen as their saviour Goliath. Many Tory MPs will appeal to the Tamil voters.
For the moment, Cameron is a human rights champion. He has done much better than the Canadian and the Indian Prime Ministers. He chose to travel to Sri Lanka and decided speak out on the human rights abuses of that country. That is commendable.
The crucial question is what will happen before March in Sri Lanka?
If not, after March, will Britain act as they promised they would?
March 2014 - Its a very, very long time in politics: Anything is possible!
Chandi Sinnathurai is a peasant-priest. He has an active interest in human rights and social justice. He can be reached at: [email protected]
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