I’ve been reading the heated debeat with much interest and much emotion, as others have been. I’ve learned a lot from hearing the different (often highly polarised opinions). The problem is when we cannot appreciate the shades of grey.

Yes, Sri Lanka has human rights issues and this should not go unchecked.

Sri Lanka here means the Government and the LTTE – I agree with comments that the government should have more responsibity to uphold these rights, being democratically elected. In the same vain, the AI campaign will have an effect on the government and sucess of the country as unified nation, rather than have an effect on the the LTTE and it’s clearly stated aim of a seperate nation – after all the LTTE doesn’t seem to have had a history of responding to any public condmenation whether it be from AI or otherwise.

(a link to a very recent and enlightening documentatry by Al Jazeera about the LTTE’s operations in the UK and the plight of their supporters http://www.tamilaffairs.com/node/57
http://www.tamilaffairs.com/node/57 )

AI has a role to try and protect the human rights of all citizens of the world – i don’t have issue with this.

Protests agains poor human rights records may be one facet of this role.

However their method of this education can have a huge impact on the people involved, the countries involved and the world at large. They have have great potential of being positive and promoting peace and harmony, in the process of illustrating issues that need to be addressed by all parties. Alternatively they can blame and great a feeling of animosity amongst people who have a lot of goodwill.

I think the recent AI campaign has chosen the latter option.

In answer to Sam’s good question …

Sam said “Out of curiosity, are there any suggestions on what Amnesty should have done? ie. suggestions of a campaign that Amnesty could have implemented to raise the profile of the SL situation? ”

Amnesty could have had a more articulated campaign which highlighted how that within Sri Lanka’s international cricket team there is at least one Sinhala Buddhist, Sinhala Catholic, Catholic Tamil, Hindu Tamil and a Muslim – these talented Sri Lanka men are working together as a Team. Let this represent the posibilities for Sri Lanka as a nation – the violence in Sri Lanka should stop so all can live peacefully.

Any thoughts

Bishan

Whats worse than a poor human rights record is the impression that the government doesn’t even acknowledge it, when it is so obvious.

Are we to expect aparthied type embargoes and restrictions soon?

I recall, once in Australia, the newly appointed foreign minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar got stuck into Shane Warne for expressing apprehension about going on tour to Sri Lanka just after a bomb had exploded in Colombo. Kadirgamar appeared desperate to prove to the austrlian public/or cricketers that it was safe, by offering to stay with them in the hotel.

I recall thinking at that time, the crudeness, immaturity and lack of diplomacy in the foreign minister’s comments. I remember hearing Kadirgamar’s voice over the radio telling a bemused reporter that Shane Warne was a “Sissy”. Probably thought he was at a Royal-Thomian match 🙂

Maybe if Sri Lanka wins the cup, we will be able to find out what they think, once the dust settles down.

Would that not affect Aiyo’s cause? You would desperately want the government be forced to stop the war (that they are so obviously winning) and you need help from these NGOs and civil society activists for that.

Maybe if Aiyo stopped hanging around Batticaloa bars he/she might meet the real cricket fans, who are at home with their families listening on the radio, not hanging out in bars. The WC matches are on after dark, and it’s unlikely the ordinary Batticaloa citizen is out drinking at night, unlike the staffers from the NGOs.