Press Release [A]
Archived press release from the previous years
BTF press release on 24.04.2010 (in Tamil)
BTF press release on 19.04.2010 (in Tamil)
BTF press release on 30.01.2010 (in Tamil)
BTF press release on 18.10.2009 : Tamils demand Sri Lanka’s pledge to be upheld [BTF]18.October.2009
Despite the October chill, over 30,000 British Tamils and supporters took to the streets, on Saturday 17 October 2009, to highlight the desperate situation faced by Tamils in Sri Lanka who remain detained in “concentration camps” and in protest against UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s failure to protect these innocent civilians. As the Sri Lankan government continues to pledge release of the imprisoned civilians within 180 days, the protesters marched through central London highlighting that over 280,000 Tamils continue to endure arbitrary detention as we approach within 30 days of the promised deadline.
BTF press release on 03.10.2009 : Tamils make history at the UK Labour Party Conference
Tamils made history in the UK with a momentous passing of an emergency resolution on Sri Lanka at the Labour Party Conference on Thursday, 1 October 2009.
The sitting government party passed a resolution condemning the treatment of Tamils in Sri Lanka by that government. Resolution was passed unanimously by thousands of delegates at the conference and in front of millions of live TV viewers.
The notable resolution was delivered by Mr Paul Kenny, General Secretary of GMB, Britain’s general trade union, representing over 5 million members through its affiliate bodies. Delivering a bold, yet passionate speech, Mr Kenny was able to clearly articulate the desperate situation faced by Tamils locked up in ‘internment camps’ in Sri Lanka.
The emergency resolution, passed unanimously by delegates of the sitting government party, focussed on ending the detainment of civilians allowing them to return to their homes, allowing free access to journalists to report the ground situation and welcomed the recent decision of the EU to reconsider Sri Lanka’s favoured trading status of GSP+ to encourage such cooperation from the government of Sri Lanka. [More......]
BTF press release on 02.09.2009: British Tamils welcome Conservatives’ voice of concern for Tamils [BTF Press release on 02.August 2009]
British Tamils Forum welcomes the statement last week by the Conservative Party highlighting the ongoing suffering of over 280,000 Tamils held in barbed-wire ringed, militarised detention camps in Sri Lanka.
We welcome the expressions of serious concern by Rt Hon William Hague and the Conservative Party regarding the ongoing imprisonment of hundreds of thousands of Tamils. We also welcome the Conservative party’s efforts to urge Sri Lanka’s ultra-nationalist government to adhere to its commitment to allow the Tamil people of Vanni back to their homes. [More......]
BTF press release on 28.08.2009 : Key Campaign to Unlock Sri Lankan ‘concentration camps’ [BTF Press release 28.08.2009]
Marking 100 days since the end of the bloody conflict in Sri Lanka and the imprisonment of over 280,000 Tamil civilians in deplorable ‘concentration camps’, British Tamils Forum launched an unprecedented “Key” campaign.
The launch event, attended by UK Parliamentarians, human rights activists, councillors and members of community organisations, was held at the Boothroyd Suite, Portcullis House in Westminster on Thursday, 27 August from 4pm. In an effort to raise awareness of the plight of the Tamil civilians who remain incarcerated in military-run camps, the UK Tamil Diaspora launched a “continuous campaign”, vowing to take action until all the illegally detained people are freed and resettled in their own homeland. The safety and security of these civilians guarded by military person [More.........]
BTF press release on 19.08.2009 : Appeal to end internment camps in Sri Lanka
Three months on from military victory yet the misery continues for over 300,000 Tamil civilians in the island of Sri Lanka, who remain confined in military-run internment camps, hidden from the glare of international witnesses.
The Times UK reported deplorable death tolls in these camps arising from malnutrition, widespread disease and insufficient medical facilities. With the ongoing restrictions to aid agencies and international monitors, the true extent of the risks facing these imprisoned civilians remains vastly obscured. These supposed ‘welfare camps’ lack adequate sanitation facilities and access to clean water.
As monsoon season fast approaches, heavy rains in the areas of Vavuniya District and Menik Farm have already resulted in up to 1,925 shelters being damaged or destroyed as reported by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). [More.......]
BTF press release on 11.08.2009 : Sri Lankan State Terror extends boundaries Press Release on 11.08.2009 [BTF]
The Sri Lankan Government has once again exposed its arrogance as a ‘democratic state’ apparently unbound by international law and order, extending their practice of illegal abductions, kidnap, disappearances and violations of human rights with impunity, this time across international borders. The military establishment’s disrespect and disregard to international law and order in Sri Lanka is now being permitted internationally, it seems.
Recent news reports surrounding the alleged arrest of Mr Selvarasa Pathmanathan has once again bought to the foreground the Sri Lankan Government’s ability to whitewash international norms. The anomalies surrounding his kidnap and detention give rise to serious concerns over Sri Lanka’s seemingly superseding legal jurisdiction which is not restricted to the island of Sri Lanka. [More .............]
BTF press release on 22.07.2009 : Tamil Diaspora Unites (BTF Press Release 22.07.2009)
The Global Tamil Diaspora has united to form the Global Tamil Forum (GTF), in response to the large scale massacre of Tamil civilians, internment of more than 300,000 in camps reminiscent of Nazi Germany and continuing inhumane treatment of these detainees by the Government of Sri Lanka. It is a need of the times and the first of its kind worldwide for the Tamils to speak with one voice.
This Forum will evolve as an independent, international organisation which adheres to the principles of democracy and non-violence and derives its strength from existing grassroots organisations of the Tamil Diaspora. Working in solidarity with the Tamils in Eelam and other communities in Sri Lanka, this Forum will strive to restore Tamil People’s right to self-determination and democratic self rule in their traditional homeland in the island of Sri Lanka. [Tamil Press Release]
BTF press release on 20.06.2009 : Tamils march to save ‘imprisoned’ brethren in Sri Lanka [BTF 2009.06.20]
Over 100,000 people converged on the streets of London on Saturday 20 June 2009 to remember the tens of thousands that perished in the Sri Lankan state’s final onslaught against the Tamil civilians and to call for the release of 300,000 that remain under threat of death, disappearance, rape and torture in government-run internment camps.
Protesters, carrying black flags and adorned in dark attire, marched to rouse the UK and international
community into action over the following three demands:
• Stop the disappearances, rapes and torture occurring daily in the internment camps and find all those who were unaccounted for.
• Free people from the camps immediately so that they can return to their normal lives.
• Bring the perpetrators of the genocide against the Tamils to justice.
The Tamil community disappointed and embittered by the failure of the UK and other international powers, to prevent the recent carnage despite constant and repeated warnings, pleaded that the international community must at least act now decisively to save the ‘imprisoned’ civilians in these camps, who remain in grave danger. [More........] Pictures and Memorandum
BTF press release on 30.05.2009 : British Tamils Forum endorses Independent Tamil MEP Candidate [BTF 2009.05.30]
British Tamils Forum (BTF) endorses the candidacy of Ms Jan Jananayagam, who is standing as an Independent candidate, in the forthcoming European Parliamentary Election for the London constituency, on 4 June.
Ms Jananayagam has been an ardent campaigner for human rights, with special interest in campaign against genocide.
BTF has been established to work for peace, with justice and dignity for Tamils. The Forum has found common ground between their aspirations and those of Ms Jananayagam.
BTF reiterates its non-political party affiliation and neutrality in British politics. However, the current dire situation in Sri Lanka, where the Tamils have been subjected to genocide by the brutal Sri Lankan State, has distressed the membership. After wide consultation with the membership, BTF has decided to endorse this independent candidate.
BTF believes the candidacy of Ms Jananayagam will vitalise the participation of British Tamils in the electoral process in Britain. BTF calls upon its members to actively campaign among Tamils and the larger population for the election of Ms Jananayagam to the European Parliament. [More........]
BTF press release on 27.05.2009 : Urgent Appeal to Protect Victims of Genocide [BTF Press release 27.05.2009]
UN estimates over 7,000 civilians, many of them children, died in the final offensive by the Sri Lankan military, however according to reliable sources the figure is likely to be as high as 25,000. The Sri Lankan State still forbids access to international free media. “The UN confirmed this week that as many as 300,000 Tamil refugees are now jammed into the camps dubbed “welfare villages”. Western journalists have been banned from going near them.”
Dan McDougall, Award-winning reporter, undercover in Sri Lanka’s refugee camps reported in News of the World, 24 May 2009. Posing as an aid worker, he witnessed first hand the poignant scenes at the camps; “A child no more than two-years-old toddles naked towards the razor wire imprisoning her and her family. Terrified of retribution, parents pull the child away. Many of the refugees are dressed only in rags and tattered clothing. Chicken pox and skin diseases are sweeping through the camp and hepatitis is a growing problem because of poor sanitation.”
The Sri Lankan government has, to date, rejected pleas by various governments and the Secretary- General of the UN for immediate access to humanitarian aid agencies in to the camps. Preoccupied by destroying the evidence of the genocide, the Sri Lankan State is wary about allowing independent witnesses to the Tamil homeland.
Tamils in every part of Sri Lanka are held under siege. In the North and East, they are brutalise [More.............]
BTF press release on 11.05.2009 : Urgent Appeal by the British Tamils Forum [BTF 2009.05.11]
The British Tamils Forum urgently appeals to the British government to do all they can to stop the massacre of Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka, the fatal and final stage of the genocide of Tamils.
Reliable reports received by the British Tamils Forum, from the ‘safe zone’ in Northern Sri Lanka confirms that over 3,200 civilians have been killed and thousands more have been injured in the past twenty four hours alone. Rescue workers fear that the critical shortage of medicine and lack medical facilities will add to this death toll. Sources further confirm that the Sri Lankan forces continue to bombard the ‘safe zone’ with K-fir jets, multi-barrel rocket launchers, cannons and cluster bombs.
British Tamils Forum has been in constant contact with the British political establishment, warning them of the imminent carnage unfolding in the Vanni Region, as part of this genocide. The Foreign Secretary, Rt. Hon. David Miliband MP, spoke to his counterpart in Sri Lanka yesterday, the details of which, has not been disclosed……..[More......]
BTF press release on 21.04.2009 : Britain’s fatal inaction adds another 1,000 civilians to the death toll in just 24 hours
Over 1,000 civilians have been killed, including c470 children, in the Sri Lankan Army’s latest assault into the “Safe Zone” which commenced in the early hours of Monday, 20 April. Four infants less than a year old lost their mothers. Cluster bombs and poisonous gas were used against civilians in this attack. Sri Lankan forces used over 200 Tamil civilians as human shields during their push towards the ‘no fire zone’. This, we have learnt from credible sources within the conflict area. BBC World Service reported a similar story in their ‘World Today’ program.
With their relentless bombardment the Sri Lankan military forced the civilians to flee the ‘safety zone’ and subsequently used them as propaganda tools with statements made by them under duress. [More.......] and Video
BTF press release on 11.04.2009 : Historic show of strength in support of the victims of Sri Lankan Genocide of Tamils
Over 200,000 Tamils took to the streets of Central London, on Saturday 11 April 2009, in a peaceful protest march to show solidarity with their brethren in Sri Lanka and to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Sri Lanka. The event was part of the worldwide protest by Tamils against the international community’s inaction in the face of Genocide, with overwhelming evidence, demanding justice and urgent action from the International Community.
The march commenced at the Embankment beside the River Thames at 1pm and snaked through famous London landmarks of Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Green Park, Park Lane and Marble Arch to reach the Hyde Park for a rally at 4.30pm. As the front of the march was reaching Hyde Park protesters were still joining the march near its starting point at Embankment. [More...........]
BTF press release on 26.03.2009 : London Conference Reaffirms Tamils’ Aspirations [BTF 26.03.2006]
British Tamils Forum, assisted by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPG-T), hosted an international conference, titled “World Tamils Forum”, on Thursday, 26 March 2009 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in London. Tamil academics, professionals and Tamil Youth from 22 countries attended the conference, at which Rev Jesse Jackson from the USA was the key-note speaker. The 45 delegates gathered over two days to discuss and draw up a declaration addressing the humanitarian tragedy facing Tamils in Sri Lanka, exposing the Genocidal War, reinforcing the need for a political process and the role that international actors would need to play.
The Former Defence Secretary and the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to Sri Lanka Rt. Hon. Des Browne, Former Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer, Labour National Executive Committee (NEC) Member Mr Mike Griffiths, Entertainer and Charity Worker Sir Jimmy Savile, Members of Parliament from the UK and Sri Lanka, Dignitaries and Civil Servants also attended the conference. [More............]
BTF press release on 05.03.2009 : British Tamils urge Commonwealth to take a firm stand Sri Lanka (BTF) 05.03.2009
Several hundred people gathered outside the Commonwealth Secretariat on Pall Mall, to urge a firm stand to be taken on Sri Lanka. The demonstration, by British Tamils, on Wednesday 4th March was held to coincide with the meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), which addresses serious or persistent violations of the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values. [More...........]
BTF press release on 04.02.2009 : Sri Lankan Independence Day (February 4th) – Black day for Tamils
While Sri Lankan government was celebrating the 61st anniversary of the independence on the 4th February 2008, the Sri Lankan armed forces were dropping cluster bombs on Tamils in the Tamil homeland. While celebrations were going on in Colombo, [BTF Press release on 04.02.2009]
BTF press release on 04.02.2009 : Statement by the Co-Chairs gives the Genocidal Government of Sri Lanka the Licence to Kill – British Tamils Forum
The statement demonstrates that the Co-Chairs are either out of touch or colluding with Colombo to oppress the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil people. Whatever the reasons may be, the statement has shattered the trust that the British Tamils and the Tamil Diaspora have placed upon their respective governments and the trust the Tamils of Sri Lanka had in the international community. British Tamils Forum wishes to urge the international community to understand that today’s statement by the Co-Chairs, will pave the way for the racist State of Sri Lanka to ethnically cleanse the Tamils. [Press release by BTF on 04.02.2009]
BTF press release on 23.01.2009 : FCO contradicts No 10 on Tamils Plight in Sri Lanka [Press release by BTF 23.01.2009]
British Tamils Forum (BTF) strongly condemns the statement of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on 21 January 2009, which could be perceived as condoning the sustained programme of genocide of Tamils by the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL). [More........] and for Tamil version
BTF press release on 19.12.2008 “Anyone who dares give any consideration to the prospects of genocide in Sri Lanka is described as a terrorist” – MP at the UK Parliament
10 Members of Parliament from all three main political parties representing the people of the United Kingdom, without exception spoke in favour of Tamils, in the allocated 14 minutes during the adjournment debate secured by the Hon Andrew Pelling MP for Croydon Central.
The fact that many MPs turned up for this debate especially being the final item at the end of parliamentary session before the Christmas recess was itself commended by MPs, British Tamil Community and political observers. [More.........]
BTF press release on 19.11.2008 : Great Nation – Tamil Nadu, Grateful People – Tamil Eelam
BTF press release on 14.10.2008 : Cross Party MPs Support for Tamils at the UK Parliament [14.October 2008 BTF]
BTF press release on 11.10.2008 : Engaging the British Public to Free Tamil Eelam [11.October.2008 BTF]
- BTF press release on 07.10.2008
Over six thousand Tamils gather outside UK Parliament to Demand Action against Indiscriminate Bombing of Tamils by Government of Sri Lanka [07,october, 2008 BTF]
- BTF press release on 01.10.2008
“Recent escalation of violence in Sri Lanka is deeply concerning” – Shadow Foreign Secretary Rt. Hon William Hague MP
BTF press release on 30.09.2008 : Emergency Meeting with International Development Minister Rt. Hon Shahid Malik MP [More......]
BTF press release on 27.09.2008 : The British Tamil Community is puzzled by HM’s Government’s Statement on Sri Lanka [More.......]
BTF press release on 23.09.2008 : Member of British Tamils Forum and the Leader of Tamils for Labour Delivers a Damning Speech at the Labour Party Conference 2008
BTF press release on 17.09.2008
“UK Government believes that minorities in any country must have their right to practice the fullest and impossible expression of self determination”…..“We are extremely concerned about how this government behaves and treats the Tamil community. We are using all the means available to us to press the government to do otherwise”– UK Foreign Minister Lord Mark Malloch Brown
