The Tamil People being displaced in Sri Lanka, due to the government of Sri Lankan's actions. Photo from Indy Media
by: Karita Hummer
The world sleeps while ethnic strife and atrocities abound. Yet, another sign of the vacuousness of Mainstream Media. Arundhati Roy warns of another great human rights tragedy unfolding in Sri Lanka by the government against the Tamil people of that country. http://www.commondreams.org/vi... She states that "civilian areas, hospitals, and shelters are being bombed and turned into a war zone", against this population." Arundhati Roy, "The Silence Surrounding Sri Lanka", The Boston Globe, Tuesday, March 31, 2009 http://www.commondreams.org/vi... And what excuse does the government of Sri Lanka give? "The War on Terror", apparently following the lead of the United States, who made the War on Terror the excuse for all manner of human rights abuses, in the Iraq War, and yes, in Afghanistan. Much like Israel did in Gaza.
Ethnic conflicts, and especially, those that involve the atrocities that she has described, should gather journalistic attention from all the corners of the world, so they can more readily be stopped in their tracks. Journalistic review used to be one of the word's bulwarks against the escalation of human rights abuse. In Timor, the attention there probably shortened the conflict there. Even in Bosnia, the steady coverage of the atrocious news there probably led to the Dayton peace accords, imperfect as these accords are.
It is heart sickening to see that our own government has given cover to world governments to abandon international human rights laws. It is time we right this wrong, which gives such a sense of impunity to governments to terrorize in the name of the "War on Terror."
More below...
Let us remember that two wrongs don't make a right, either. Hugo Chavez called for the World Court indictment of George Bush rather than Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for crimes in Darfur. Excuse me, that is not justice. Yes, I believe that the Pre-emptive War in Iraq, and the way it was conducted, does warrant World Court examination, but that would never lead me to want to excuse the atrocities committed in Sudan. Let them all - U.S., Sudan, Israel, and Sri-Lanka be examined by the Press and by the World Court.
While blame is being cast, and deciphered, let us not forget our humanitarian responsibilities as facts are sifted. When does neglect itself rise to atrocious levels? I would say that our neglect of Iraqi refugees is, indeed, atrocious and unforgivable.
The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants has sent out an urgent plea to President Obama to remember the Iraqi refugees that fled their country, because the War there. Go there and sign on to the letter: https://secure2.convio.net/usc...
Here is the sample letter to the President the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants' sent to me:
Dear Karita and Paul,
Millions of Iraqi civilians have had to flee their country to escape religious, ethnic, and political violence and it is not clear when they will be able to return. For now, they languish in countries like Syria and Jordan where they are not allowed to work or otherwise establish a real home for their family.
While we begin to remove our troops from Iraq, we must also take action to help these men, women and children. Please ask President Obama to not forget these innocent refugees and to make provision for them a part of any US withdraw planning.
Specifically, ask him to take two actions:
1. Accept more Iraqi refugees for resettlement in the United States
2. Generously help the countries of the region that are hosting refugees by providing funds for their schools, hospitals, and other service institutions that aid refugees along with locals. This funding would be contingent on these host countries allowing Iraqi refugees to work and establish homes for their families.
Many Iraqi refugees are highly skilled professionals who can make substantial contributions to the communities where they settle.
But all are human beings with inherent dignity and the right to provide for their families by their own efforts. They should not be forced into dependence, poverty, and despair upon the "care and maintenance" of international organizations.
Please contact President Obama today and ask him to help Iraqi refugees.
Sincerely,
Lavinia Limon
President, USCRI
To learn more about the work of this great agency advocating for resources for refugees, visit: http://www.refugees.org/
Karita Hummer
Take Action! Ask President Obama to expedite Iraqi refugees' entry in to our Country.
https://secure2.convio.net/usc...
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