| Tamil Catholic priest murdered by Sri Lankan Army - TYO Australia |
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Tamil Youth Organisation of Australia wishes to bring to your attention the murder of a Tamil Catholic priest, Father M X Karunaratnam. "A roadside bomb in Sri Lanka said to have been planted by government soldiers in rebel territory killed Father M X Karunaratnam, a Catholic priest and campaigner for the rights of Tamils." [AP, 21/04/08] On Sunday 20 April 2008, the Deep Penetrating Unit of the Sri Lankan Army targeted Father M X Karunaratnam, head of North East Secretariat on Human Rights, whilst he returned from a church service. He now joins the list of several Tamil parliamentarians, journalists and human rights activists assassinated by the Sri Lankan Government. Following his murder, several organisations including Cartias Australia, have released public statements condemning his murder and calling on the international community to place pressure on the Sri Lankan Government to return to the negotiation tables to pursue a political solution towards peace in the island. In January this year, the current president withdrew from a cease-fire agreement between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the Sri Lankan Government. "We pray for Fr Karunaratnam…We are richer for his courageous work in maintaining a focus on the rights of the marginalised", said Caritas Australia’s Acting CEO Jamie Isbister. Mr Isbister continued to say, "More than 3000 people have died since the collapse of the ceasefire in January 2008…The culture of impunity that is operating in Sri Lanka needs to be urgently addressed, as virtually none of the killings, abductions and human rights abuses that continue to occur in Sri Lanka are ever brought before the courts…Since the collapse of the peace process earlier this year, the situation has deteriorated for millions across Sri Lanka…We saw the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons, formed to observe an inquiry into 16 cases of serious rights violations, (including the August 2006 massacre of 17 local employees of the French charity, ACF), pulled out in March 2008 because of a lack of political will to investigate and bring to justice these tragedies”. Earlier this month the Sri Lankan military attacked a Catholic Church in the Madu District. The church, considered amongst the holiest by pilgrims, housed thousands of internally displaced people. Despite being situated in a declared no war zone, it has come under continual attack by the Sri Lankan military. "There is no defence for attacking a church which has saved hundreds of refugees from death," said Dr. John Dayal, National President of the All India Catholic Union (AICU). He hoped that "wiser counsel will prevail and the Government of Sri Lanka will order its forces to cease and desist from attacking a sacred place." Mr Isbister from Caritas also said, "The current threat to the Madhu Shrine and the murder of human rights activists like Fr Karunaratnam illustrate the need for international pressure to get the parties back to the table." Due to the continued assault of the Madu church, the refugees it housed and the reverend priests and sisters of the church were forced to flee with statue of Virgin Mary, which has now been transported elsewhere. As recent as today, the "Sri Lankan war planes bombed a Roman Catholic church compound inside rebel-held territory, killing a man and wounding two children." [AFP, 22/04/08] On 14 March 2007, a mutilated torso found in a military sand bag, at Pungkudutheevu Sea was confirmed as belonging to the disappeared Catholic priest, Rev Fr. Thiruchchelvan Jim Brown, who had gone missing on 20 August 2006 after being interrogated by the Sri Lankan army at an army checkpoint in Allaipiddy, Sri Lanka. Additional pressure needs to be placed on the Sri Lankan Government, which continues its human rights atrocities with impunity, to cease a military approach and explore a political solution to permanent peace in the island. We appeal to you to assist us in urging the Australian Government to place this much needed pressure. Tamil Youth Organisation, Australia |
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