World: A Canadian Tamil Community response to Allegations by Human Rights Watch on Extortion
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Wednesday, 15 March 2006 |
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A report to be released by New York based Human Rights Watch on March 15, 2006, entitled "Tamil Tigers Extort Diaspora for 'Final War' Funds" indicts the entire Tamil Canadian community by allegations that in effect portrays the entire community as complicit in illegal activities.
The
author, Ms. Jo Becker, alleges that Tamil community members are being
extorted and intimidated, thereby challenging "an entire community's
right to live without fear." Ms. Becker concludes that the Canadian
legal system as a whole has failed to protect the rights of the Tamil
community.Leading
members of Tamil community organizations assert that the reports
conclusions potentially place Tamil Canadians at great risk of racial
discrimination and harassment. "The report makes disparaging
conclusions about our community's ability to report extortion and casts
doubts about our integrity as law abiding citizens. This is my
community; one that I have helped build in Canada for the past 20
years.
This report makes me sick because it is saying that we are
covering something up and our community is living in fear. In Toronto
alone, there are 30 independent Tamil newspapers, three 24 hour radio
stations, and three 24 hour Televisions stations. There is no veil of
silence – Ms. Becker simply has her facts wrong." stated David
Poopalapillai, Spokesperson for the Canadian Tamil Congress.
"To
date Human Rights Watch has failed to offer proof of sound social
science research to an issue that has severe implications for a
community. Not only are the report's findings completely false from our
knowledge base – they seem to be based on anecdotal evidence and
misguided assumptions," stated Ashwin Balamohan, a University of
Toronto student and incoming Vice President University Affairs for the
Students' Administrative Council.
To be credible journalists are requested to ask Human Rights Watch, the following questions:
- What was the sample size of the survey or interviews?
- What was the methodology used to conduct the survey?
- How were interview subjects chosen and how did they come forward?
- How was the research funded and what was the total cost of the study?
- Did the researchers have training in interview techniques in multicultural settings?
- Were interview subjects paid for the interview?
- As primary lead researcher, could the community have an idea of Ms. Beckers credentials as a researcher?
- Extortion is already a criminal code offence in Canada – why has no one been charged?
- If no one has been charged, how can it be determined that they belong to a particular group?
The
Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) is an organization that is dedicated to
the promotion and advancement of the interests of the Tamil Canadian
community in Canada. It is dedicated to the principles of the Charter
of Rights and Freedoms of Canada, including the freedom of conscience
and association.
CTC
requests Canadian journalists to uphold values of the Charter – the
right to life, liberty and security of Canadian Tamils when reporting
about the community.
A
cross section of the Tamil Canadian community, comprising grass root
organizations, will address a Press Conference, to be held on
Wednesday, March 15, 2006, at 2:00 pm at the Delta Toronto East, 2035
Kennedy Road (Kennedy & 401), Scarborough, Ontario, M1T 3G2 Toronto
C Ballroom in order to challenge the report.
SiberNews
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