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Global Tamil Forum calls for boycott of CHOGM 2013
View(s):The Global Tamil Forum, the largest Tamil diaspora organisation has requested the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth to boycott the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo, as it will weaken the Commonwealth’s commitment to core principles of human rights and democracy, and endorse actions of a government accused of responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In a letter addressed to all Heads of the Commonwealth, President of the Global Tamil Forum, Rev. Dr S.J. Emmanuel stated that, in 2009, the Commonwealth agreed to defer CHOGM in Sri Lanka until 2013, as a response to the grave allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by both sides during the conflict, and to act as an incentive to improve the human rights and political situation in the country.
“However, it is clear that these issues have not been addressed and no progress has been made. The recent damning critique of the ground realities in Sri Lanka by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, has exposed the emptiness of President Rajapaksa’s promises,” the letter stated
The letter has also been forwarded to the Prince of Wales and to the Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma.
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