Over 130 media reports in a fortnight on Sri Lankan war crimes and CHOGM

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The below list of media coverage is only a fraction of what we have managed to collate over the past fortnight. There have been reports, especially radio and television, which are not available readily online and hence are not included but will be archived on our website in the near future.
The media craze that exploded in Australia in the lead up to the CHOGM has shown us that although world leaders will play politics on the issue of human rights, the Australian media and public will give issues such as accountability for war crimes and restoration of justice the importance they deserve.
In the face of mounting criticism, in failing to convince the world that it is not guilty, the Sri Lankan government has resorted to confuse the world through propaganda which aims to defame, discredit and distract those who are bold enough to step up and speak out against the Sri Lankan regime. These actions of a desperate regime are indicative of how low this pathetic government will stoop to, and are a measure of the success of our work.
The Tamil people in the North-East of the island of Sri Lanka have no rights, no freedom and no voice. It is our responsibility to stay strong, stay positive and most importantly stay focused on what the job at hand is.
Public Relations Team
Australian Tamil Congress
30 October
SMH Opinion Editorial - Human rights inaction 'a disgrace'
Radio New Zealand - Amnesty wants CHOGM meeting shifted from Sri Lanka
The Conversation - Devil in the discretion? Experts on the CHOGM 2011 communique

29 October

SMH Opinion Editorial - See no evil is Australia's way on war crimes 

The Age Opinion Editorial - Crew arranges deckchairs on stricken empire liner
28 October

Channel 10 News - CHOGM Protests


AFP - Protest peaceful at Commonwealth summit
 
27 October

Australia Network News - Global concerns

ABC TV 7.30 Report - CHOGM report
26 October

Channel 10 News - Sri Lanka accused
West Australian - War crimes heat on Sri Lanka
  
Australia Network News - War crimes

ABC TV 7.30 Report - Leaders descend for CHOGM
25 October
ABC Radio On Air Highlights - Australian AG vetoes Sri Lanka war crimes case

Australia Network News - Commonwealth gathering

ABC Radio News - Two views of Sri Lanka's war

SBS World News - No prosecution for Sri Lanka president

24 October
23 October
18 October

ABC TV News - Sri Lankan president under investigation 
17 October

Channel 10 6.30 with George Negus - Sri Lankan war criminals
  
 

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  • Australian Tamils welcome shift in world stance on Sri Lankan war crimes
    22.03.12 News >> News

     

    The Australian Tamil Congress welcomes the shift in the international community’s stance on issues of war crimes in Sri Lanka.

     

    On Wednesday, the Australian Senate unanimously passed a motion jointly moved by Sen. Lee Rhiannon, Sen. Gary Humphries and Foreign Minister Bob Carr calling on Australia to support a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution.

     

    Last night the United States led resolution was passed at the UNHRC calling on Sri Lanka to implement the constructive recommendations of its internal inquiry, the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), while pointing out the LLRC report does not however adequately address serious allegations of violations of international law.

     

    “We appreciate Australia openly calling Sri Lanka out on issues of war crimes and accountability,” said Dr. Sam Pari, spokesperson for the Australian Tamil Congress. “The UNHRC resolution is finally an acknowledgement by the international community that Sri Lanka needs to address serious issues of accountability. However, the resolution is only a small first step and our call for international independent inquiry will continue until Tamils achieve the justice they deserve,” she added.


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  • Australian Parliament supports international calls for investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka
    22.03.12 News >> News
    Michelle Rowland MP -Member for Greenway

    Australian Parliament supports international calls for investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka


    Federal Member for Greenway, Michelle Rowland, welcomed the Australian Parliament support for a motion supporting the US-led resolution at the UN Human Rights Council which amongst other recommendations urges Sri Lanka to investigate allegations of war crimes and human-rights abuses during the war by all parties.

    The joint motion was moved by the new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bob Carr and calls for an independent investigation into all  allegations of war crimes, including those outlined in the UN Secretary-General s Panel of Experts report.

     We must look to move Tamil relations and justice for Tamils forward in a constructive and meaningful way,  Ms Rowland said.

     Accountability will be a crucial part of reconciliation and lasting peace in Sri Lanka.

     That is why I have been a strong advocate for an independent, transparent investigation into allegations of war crimes in Sri Lanka.

     I have watched with horror the UK s Channel 4 documentary which showed extended footage of executions of Tamils and other crimes 
    against humanity.

     With the persecution of people in Sri Lanka causing thousands of people to flock to Australia in search of asylum, peace and stability in the island of Sri Lanka will also benefit Australia.

     The Parliament s recent support for the US led resolution at the UN Human Rights Council which urges an independent investigation is a 
    testament to the commitment and dedication of Tamil leaders, including the members of the Australian Tamil Congress.

     I look forward to working with the Tamil community in my electorate to ensure the cause of justice continues.

    Contact: Dominic Ofner (0407 678 564)
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  • ATC advocacy bears fruit - bipartisan support for motion to support UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka war crimes
    21.03.12 News >> News
    A timely motion has been passed unanimously today in the Australian Senate, voting to give bipartisan support for the US-led resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

    As you are aware the 19th session of the UNHRC in Geneva is currently debating a US-led resolution on Sri Lanka. The Australian Senate motion being passed only days before the final vote at the UNHRC will give strength to the UNHRC vote taking place on Friday 23 March 2012 and counteract the intense lobbying by the Sri Lankan Government to ensure the UNHRC resolution is not passed.

    The following motion was moved by Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, Foreign Minister Bob Carr and Senator Gary Humphries. The Australian Tamil Congress has been tirelessly lobbying Members of Parliament and Senators on issues of war crimes and we are confident that our continuous advocacy has bore fruit. However, we are aware that the US-led resolution is only a first step and we will continue to lobby for an international independent investigation to achieve the true justice for our Tamil brethren.

    Kind regards,
    Australian Tamil Congress

    MOTION PASSED ON 21 March 2012
    1) The Senate notes:
    a. On the 13th of February 2012, the then Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd issued a media release in response to the Sri Lankan Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) final report that stated:
    i. The LLRC report contains constructive proposals for advancing reconciliation and reconstruction, including through reducing the presence of security forces in the North, care of internally displaced persons and media freedoms;?


    ii. The Australian Government has consistently urged Sri Lanka to investigate all allegations of crimes committed by both sides to the conflict, including those raised in the UN Secretary-General's Panel of Experts report;


    iii. In light of the report's failure to comprehensively address such allegations, the government continues to call on Sri Lanka for all such allegations to be investigated in a transparent and independent manner.

    2) The Senate calls on the Australian government, as a minimum, to support efforts to secure a US initiated resolution on Sri Lanka at the 19th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, through the Australian permanent representative in Geneva.
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  • ATC advocacy bears fruit - bipartisan support for motion to support UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka war crimes
    21.03.12 News >> News
    A timely motion has been passed unanimously today in the Australian Senate, voting to give bipartisan support for the US-led resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

    As you are aware the 19th session of the UNHRC in Geneva is currently debating a US-led resolution on Sri Lanka. The Australian Senate motion being passed only days before the final vote at the UNHRC will give strength to the UNHRC vote taking place on Friday 23 March 2012 and counteract the intense lobbying by the Sri Lankan Government to ensure the UNHRC resolution is not passed.

    The following motion that was moved by Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, Foreign Minister Bob Carr and Senator Gary Humphries. The Australian Tamil Congress has been tirelessly lobbying Members of Parliament and Senators on issues of war crimes and we are confident that our continuous advocacy has bore fruit. However, we are aware that the US-led resolution is only a first step and we will continue to lobby for an international independent investigation to achieve the true justice for our Tamil brethren.

    Kind regards,
    Australian Tamil Congress

    MOTION PASSED ON 21 March 2012
    1) The Senate notes:
    a. On the 13th of February 2012, the then Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd issued a media release in response to the Sri Lankan Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) final report that stated:

     

    ?i. The LLRC report contains constructive proposals for advancing reconciliation and reconstruction, including through reducing the presence of security forces in the North, care of internally displaced persons and media freedoms;

     

    ii. The Australian Government has consistently urged Sri Lanka to investigate all allegations of crimes committed by both sides to the conflict, including those raised in the UN Secretary-General's Panel of Experts report;

     

    iii. In light of the report's failure to comprehensively address such allegations, the government continues to call on Sri Lanka for all such allegations to be investigated in a transparent and independent manner.

     

    2) The Senate calls on the Australian government, as a minimum, to support efforts to secure a US initiated resolution on Sri Lanka at the 19th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, through the Australian permanent representative in Geneva.
     
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