Tamils for Labour call for self-determination for the Tamil people in Sri Lanka

Tuesday, 23 September 2014 

Sen Kandiah, Chair of Tamils for Labour, called upon the Labour Party to acknowledge the Tamil people’s right to self-determination in Sri Lanka, during his speech at Labour’s Conference on Monday 22nd September.

Addressing the packed main auditorium during the ‘Britain’s Global Role’ debate, he discussed the historic referendum events in Scotland and the fact that millions of Scots had been able to embrace their democratic rights in a free and peaceful manner. “There is a lot to be learnt from the British example”, said Mr Kandiah. “It is all so different to everything I have known in our struggle in Sri Lanka. [..]Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost for the same right as those people enjoyed in Scotland a few days ago.”

Sen also spoke of the deteriorating situation on the island and the plight faced by the Tamil people, particularly the concerns regarding the militarisation of their land. “International action is required” to remedy the situation, he said. However, whilst welcoming the initiation of the UN Human Rights Council investigation into alleged violations and serious human rights issues in Sri Lanka, Mr Kandiah admonished the Government of Sri Lanka for refusing to co-operate with the inquiry. “The Sri Lankan government is not interested in playing by international norms and standards”, he said.

Thanking the Labour Party and the shadow foreign affairs frontbench team for the tremendous support they had given to the causes of accountability, justice and reconciliation – including backing a UN-led investigation since 2012- Sen Kandiah called on the Conference to:

1) “Support targeted sanctions, such as travel bans and asset freezes, on Sri Lankan military personnel and politicians.

2) To acknowledge the Tamil people’s right to self-determination.”

Tamils for Labour hosted an evening reception at Conference, on Monday 22nd September. The event, which was attended by the members of the Shadow cabinet, Labour MPs and Lords, prospective parliamentary candidates and party activists discussed, in depth, the important issues raised by Mr Kandiah during his speech.