Global InformationProtests against the Sri Lankan Civil War information
Between 2008 and 2009, major protests against the Sri Lankan Civil War (often referred to as the Tamil protests by Western news media) took place in several countries around the world, urging national and world leaders and organisations to take action on bringing a unanimous cease fire to the Sri Lankan Civil War, which had taken place for twenty-six years.[1] Tamil diaspora populations around the world expressed concerns regarding the conduct of the civil war in the island nation of Sri Lanka. The civil war, which took place between the Sri Lankan Army and the separatist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam is believed to have killed over 100,000 civilians.[2] Protesters and critics of the Sri Lankan government that triggered a culturally based civil war to be a systematic genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Sri Lankan Tamil minority in Sri Lanka.[3]
While opposition by Tamils was expressed at various stages of the war since 1983, opposition intensified in January 2009. Protesters appealed to international politicians intervene in the Sri Lankan Civil War and request a ceasefire, send humanitarian aid to the Northern Province, promote the creation of Tamil Eelam, and remove the LTTE from lists of terrorist organisations. After the government of Sri Lanka declared defeat over the LTTE on 18 May 2009, protests continued, accusing then-Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa of war crimes. Protests took several forms, including human chains, demonstrations, rallies, hunger strikes, and self-immolation.[4]
Protests occurred internationally and not in Sri Lanka itself. Following increasing protests in Chennai and other cities in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu,[5] predominantly peaceful demonstrations were held concurrently around the world by the Tamil diaspora, mainly in national capitals, central business districts, near embassies and high commissioner offices, and sites of national or supranational government. Protesters ranging from several dozens to several thousands gathered in the cities of Delhi,[6] Bangalore,[6] Singapore,[7] Kuala Lumpur,[8] London,[9] Paris,[10] Brussels,[11] Berlin,[12] The Hague,[13] Zürich,[14] Geneva,[15] Bern,[16] Oslo,[17] Toronto,[18] Montreal,[19] Vancouver,[20] Ottawa,[21] New York City,[22] Washington,[23] Sydney,[24] Melbourne,[25] Canberra,[26] Auckland,[27] Wellington,[28] and Durban.[29]
- ^ Munasinghe, P.A.A.D. "War and Terrorism in Sri Lanka". Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
- ^ "Sri Lanka report : World 'may never know' how many died in civil war – Nachrichten English-News – DIE WELT". Die Welt. Welt.de. 23 November 2011.
- ^ "Sri Lanka: Genocide of the Tamil minority | Green Left Weekly". Greenleft.org.au. 23 January 2009. Archived from the original on 18 July 2009.
- ^ "In front of U.N office in Geneva aTamil youth has self-immolated himself today – CNN iReport". Ireport.com. 13 February 2009. Archived from the original on 9 June 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2009.
- ^ Dev, Ganesh; Kumar, Ram. "India: Statewide protest in Tamil Nadu against the war in Sri Lanka". www.wsws.org. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
- ^ "Rare Singapore 'Protest over Sri Lanka War'". 6 February 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
- ^ "BloggerDasteran ~ Tutorial Buat Blog Mudah Menghasilkan ala Mamak". bloggerdasteran.com. Archived from the original on 25 August 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
- ^ "Tamil demonstrators block streets". 20 April 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2020 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "French arrest 200 protesters in Paris Tamil demonstration on Sri Lanka". 20 April 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2020 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
- ^ "Thousands protest Tamils' killing". Arab News. 17 March 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
- ^ "Thousands of Tamils protest in Berlin". Expat Guide to Germany | Expatica. 25 April 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
- ^ "Tamils demand justice in Hague protest | Radio Netherlands Worldwide". Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
- ^ "TamilNet". www.tamilnet.com. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
- ^ Jones, Sam (19 February 2009). "Tamil man kills himself in Switzerland". Retrieved 31 January 2020 – via www.theguardian.com.
- ^ "Leading Swiss Tamil in protest fast".
- ^ "Tamil protesters raid Oslo embassy | News | al Jazeera".
- ^ "Tamil protesters end blockade on major Toronto highway | CBC News".
- ^ "Tamils protest at busy Montreal intersection | CBC News".
- ^ "Globe & Post: Tamil Protest in Vancouver. The Tigers Are Back | This Blog in Which I Write Stuff". Archived from the original on 6 November 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ^ "Tamil protesters urge Ottawa to help stop war | the Star". The Toronto Star. 21 April 2009.
- ^ "TamilNet".
- ^ "Sri Lankan Tamils Protest Civilian Deaths in Washington".
- ^ "Tamils Protest in Sydney".
- ^ "Tamil supporters stage protest in Melbourne CBD". ABC News. 8 April 2009.
- ^ "Tamil hunger strike ends - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 21 April 2009. Retrieved 21 April 2009.
- ^ "New Zealand: March against massacre of Tamils". 6 September 2016.
- ^ "NZ Tamils Protest in Wellington | Scoop News".
- ^ "Protests in Durban against". 5 February 2009.