60 Years of Hidden Genocide?
In May 2010 the centre collaborated with the Hampshire Tamil Association (HTA) to present a lecture examining the evidence of human rights abuses against the Tamils in Sri Lanka.
The presentation by Mr Prahalathan Pusparaj addressed the highly emotive problems in Sri Lanka and argued that the treatment of the Tamil people by the majority Sinhalese, over the past 60 years since British rulers left Sri Lanka, according to international law amounts as genocide. Since the escalation in fighting between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (the LTTE, also known as the Tamil Tigers) in 2008-9, Mr Pusparaj claimed that “the Genocide of Tamils’ was now at its worst; 20,000-50,000 Tamils have been massacred in early 2009 and more than 100,000 Tamils currently languishing in concentration camps”.
The fascinating lecture offered a brief history of the conflict in Sri Lanka before going on to document the systematic discrimination and oppression of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka; whilst also acknowledging that militant Tamil groups had also been responsible for violence in the past. It was argued that supporting the tourist industry in Sri Lanka as well as purchasing Sri Lankan made products often indirectly supported the brutal repression of the minority Tamil population. Ultimately it was suggested that, as in so many cases throughout the world, the Tamil people in Sri Lankan were now suffering out of all proportion for the actions of a militant minority. Mr Pusparaj emphasised that Tamils were lobbying the international community to investigate the human rights abuses which reportedly occurred during the recent fighting, and that the Tamils were seeking recognition of equal rights under Sri Lankan law.
The lecture was attended by staff and students from the university as well as members of the public with an interest in human rights, international politics, and a more specific interest in the situation in Sri Lanka. Dr Mark Owen, Project Officer of the Winchester Centre of Religions for Reconciliation, explained, “We are always interested in supporting individuals and groups who do not always have the necessary opportunities or platform to contribute positively to conflict resolution processes in what are often extremely difficult circumstances. We are very happy to welcome the Hampshire Tamil Association to the university and look forward to working with them again in the future”.