[File Photo: Canadian Tamils protests against genocide in April] Tamil Canadians will demonstrate in front of the Chinese Consulate in Toronto on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 to denounce the country’s military and financial support of the Sri Lankan government. China’s assistance has enabled Sri Lanka to further oppress and intern 280,000 people against their will in what international humanitarian organizations have deemed modern-day internment camps. Canadians, with relatives and friends in these camps, will also take part in this demonstration.
China is the largest supplier of arms to the Sri Lankan military and increased its help when other countries refused to sell military supplies for use in the civil war. Last year, China was also Sri Lanka’s largest foreign donor, pumping $1-billion into the country’s coffers.. Due to China’s diplomatic support in the international arena, Sri Lanka was also able to disregard western nations’ calls to adhere to human rights norms.
“China must not continue to support this Sri Lankan regime, which is running modern-day internment camps within its borders,” said David Poopalapillai, National Spokesperson for the Canadian Tamil Congress. “At the very least, China should use its diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka to pressure the government into releasing the 280,000 camp detainees in accordance with international law."
Human Rights Watch has said Sri Lanka is violating international law with its internment of the civilians. Amnesty International has called the camps overcrowded and unsanitary and said about 50,000 of the detainees are children.
Photo/Interview Opportunities: Available with Tamil Canadians who have relatives and friends in camps
Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Time: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Place: Chinese Consulate in Toronto, 240 George Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2N5
For more information, contact the Canadian Tamil Congress at 416.240.0078
Courtesy: CTC
