Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/626/9584
From The Socialist newspaper, 26 May 2010
Sri Lanka: One year after the war
A CONSTANT stream of Tamils flowed into Parliament Square, London, on Tuesday 18 May. Many thousands assembled to mark the first anniversary of the Sri Lankan government's declaration of victory in the brutal civil war that had raged for nearly 30 years. This was an important event, bringing people together in solidarity - and also defiance. Unfortunately, it was hardly covered in the mainstream media.
Manny Thain, Tamil Solidarity national secretary
Several of the speakers in the Square were MPs from Britain's establishment political parties. But none of them have any solutions for the Tamil-speaking people. On the contrary, successive governments have strengthened economic and military links with Sri Lanka.
The leaflet distributed by Tamil Solidarity, for the rights of workers and all oppressed people in Sri Lanka, was very well received.
We put forward he importance of drawing together Tamil-speaking people alongside other working-class and poor who are suffering at the hands of Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa's authoritarian rule.
In Britain, an important part of that is taking the issues into the trade union movement, with the aim of developing direct links between workers.
There has been some media coverage of a report, published on 17 May by the International Crisis Group, which calls for Rajapaksa's regime to be investigated for war crimes, such as the repeated shelling of civilians, hospitals and humanitarian operations. And Tamil Solidarity will continue to do all we can to expose and campaign against the government hypocrisy and repression in Sri Lanka.
For a longer statement on the ICG report: www.tamilsolidarity.org
For the report itself: www.crisisgroup.org
Manchester day of action
TAMIL SOLIDARITY leafleted Manchester city centre on 19 May. With placards demanding human rights and the closure of the detention camps in Sri Lanka, we gave out several hundred leaflets.
Paul Gerrard
A Tamil Solidarity meeting in the evening started with a minute's silence in memory of the tens of thousands of Tamils killed in the civil war.
Lawrence, a Tamil comrade, reported on the magnificent commemorative event outside parliament the day before (see left). He also recalled the highlights in the activity of Tamil Solidarity over the last year - protesting at embassies worldwide, taking the struggle to the European parliament and challenging New Labour government ministers.
A lively and wide-ranging discussion followed, covering the key role of the working class in the so-called developing countries, the prospects for Tamil self-determination, and many other issues.
Our work in the North West continues. We are determined to follow up on trade union affiliations, especially NUT, PCS, Unison and RMT branches.
We will use freshers' week at Manchester University to re-launch our solidarity work there and with the help of a Tamil comrade in Unite, we will organise a photographic and video display of the struggle in Sri Lanka.
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In The Socialist 26 May 2010:
Millionaire ministers butcher public services
Con-Dem cuts - 'only the beginning'
National Shop Stewards Network
National Shop Stewards Network conference: Time to organise against con/dem attacks
Socialist Party news and analysis
NHS cuts: The Con-Dem sting in the tail
Sri Lanka: One year after the war
Socialist Party national committee discusses building the fightback
Socialist Party workplace news
PCS conference: Preparing for action
Local government: Where's our pay award for 2010?
Youth
Young people: organise to fight the cuts
Socialist Party National Youth meeting
Students must pay, say the rich
Pamphlet: Our Education Under Attack: why a mass campaign is needed
Socialist Party feature
London 2012 Olympics: A big business spectacle
International socialist news and analysis
Greece: 2,500 hear Socialist MEP Joe Higgins declare week of action
Romania: Mass protests against EU/IMF deal
Puerto Rico: Students and workers fight austerity cuts
Education
Education under attack: Con-Dem government prepares for battle
Unions must defend public services
Tory government says rich must pay less
Comment
Diane Abbott and the Labour Party leadership battle
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