REACH - January 2009

TYO - Canada JANUARY 2009 Vol - 11

VISION: To work towards the enhancement of the Tamil Nation and to provide an avenue for the betterment of the Tamil youth in Canada

Official Newsletter of TYO - Canada

The artillery shells come down one after another, non-stop. Run! But where can they go? BLOOD! SPLATTERED BODIESS!! “Ambulance” But there isn’t any! Hundreds dead. Pieces of bodies cover the streets. Sometimes you can’t even identify the body. Sometimes it’s a whole family. NOW! They need you now!

We as the youth must unite to stop the atrocities that are happening to Tamils in Eelam. We have to get the rest of the world involved and togeth-er we must put a stop to the raging genocide taking place in Sri Lanka.

Innocent civilians are being killed by the Sri Lankan army in the so called ‘safe zone’ committed by the government itself. Let’s get people aware. Let’s stand up! Raise our voices against these murders because all these innocent deaths will not go in vain!

TYO members please stay aware of what is happening back home and become the messenger these dead souls. Make sure people know how and why they died. United we will end the genocide.

In solidarity,

TYO – Canada

Message from TYO - Canada

JANUARY 2009 Vol - 11REACH

Learn From HistoryPages 2 - 3

Youth Actions to Stop Genocide of Tamils in Sri LankaPages 4 - 10

Letter Writing Tips2

INSIDE

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Declaration of Independence of Kosovo

and its analogue with Tamil EelamHeartfelt felicitations to the new

and independent state of Kosovo from the Tamils of Tamil Eelam. The putative state of Tamil Eelam is itself experiencing its birth pangs but eventually nothing can stop its onward march to self-determination, independence and democracy.

The birth of a new state, born out of the fire and fight for libera-tion is an occasion for us to celebrate and welcome to the as-sembly of free na-tions. We believe that man was created to be free and that any form of subjugation is a fundamental breach of human nature. It is indeed a sad com-mentary that in the twenty first century, despite the manifold attempts of mankind to be truly liberated in body and mind, there are still severe constraints on man’s ability to be truly free of oppression; ! be it political, economic, cultural, religious or racial. The United Nations has done its best to promote freedom and human rights but sadly the committee structures within it have proved weak and contentious to act decisively to enforce the char-ter and codes that it has so bravely proclaimed, in member countries that have chosen to flagrantly flout it. The former Republic of Yugoslavia was one of them and it took years

of inaction on the part of the UN and EU to stop the psychopathic Serbian lead-ers Slobodan Milosovec or Radivic Karadzic from operating a vicious and obnoxious ethnic cleansing policy to achieve Greater Serbia. The EU and NATO did eventually get their act

together to stop this rape and murder within Europe. Kosovo, predominantly for the Kosovan Mus-lims although there is a minority of Serbs, was born out of this confla-gration.

Former U.S. Army Gen. Wesley Clark, who led the NATO alliance during the 1999 Serbia - Kosovo conflict, said of Kosovo’s indepen-dence “There was no way beyond moving to this step.” But he urged the international community to work with Serbia to keep the coun-try moving toward integration with

Europe and “to help them under-stand their situation.” “I’m very sad that the Serbs are unable to under-stand what’s happened,” Clark told CNN,

“But the magnitude of Serb repression of the Albanian majority there and the violence that accom-panied the ethnic cleansing in 1998 and 1999 was just so overwhelming that I think the Serb people have to understand that the Albanians them-selves have to have this separation.”

If there are any Tamils still remaining along with those in the

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international community who are so ignorant of the strength of our claim in international law for a separate state of Tamil Eelam, they have only got to look at the current declara-tion of independence of the new state of Kosovo to know that those who are scornful of our claims are being deliberately mendacious. Of course the Sri Lankan government will refuse to recognise Kosovo but that is what they will do to protect their invidious claim over our home-land. However, the USA, Canada, Australia and the EU (including France, Germany and the UK) have already indicated their willingness to recognise Kosovo. Russia (a Slav country) with her grip on Chech-nya and China with her occupation of Tibet are the totalitarian states that will seek to justify their posi-tion by withholding recognition of Kosovo. In essence, the free world will recognise Kosov! o and the case for Tamil Eelam is irrefutably made in the process.

The severity of Serb repression or the duration of it was nothing compared to the ruthlessness of the Sinhala war to exterminate the Tam-ils in their own homeland. It would indeed be duplicitous for the US or EU or the Sinhalas or even some Tamils to contend that Tamil Eelam should remain within the failed state of Sri Lanka merely on the grounds of limited size or the self-serving autochnous Sinhala constitution which disenfranchised the Tamil people. This dishonest and dishon-ourable position will now be seen in light of Kosovo to be invidious in international law and utterly hope-less in reality. There is a de facto state in existence in Tamil Eelam and

it is supported by the fundamentals of its histo! ry and de jure situa-tion. If the Sinhalas and their fellow travellers choose to ignore the incontrovertible claim of the history of the Tamil nation over two millenia on the island of Sri Lanka in order to continue with their hegemony and instead point to the size of the land mass or the population of Tamil Eelam and argue maladroitly that it cannot sustain an independent state, the facts about Kosovo will bite back at them. Kosovo at 4200 sq. miles and a population of 2 million is much smaller than the proposed independent state of Tamil Eelam at 7500 sq. miles and a population of 4 million. Not that such figures have troubled the sterile argument of these doom-sayers in the past when confronted with mini states the size of East Timor. Eritrea, or Singapore. But the immediacy of the birth of an independent Kosovo out of their war against the genocide perpe-trated by the Serbs in territory that historians consider to be the birthplace of the Serbian nation is a powerful argument for the establish-ment of Eelam in our own historical homeland ! on which the Sinhalas have no claim whatsoever.

It is indeed a great day for Koso-vo and a greater day for the indomi-table free spirit of mankind. Never let it be said that it is only the people of Europe who are entitled to freedom from oppression. The free spirit of a people encompass-ing an ancient culture, language and traditions of the Eelam Tamils also needs the free world to set them free. Genocide in Sri Lanka should be confronted and defeated by the international community, if the

problems obtaining there are not to reach the levels of intractability of the Israeli Palestinian conflict. It was ignored by the West for far too long and has made the Middle East the tinderbox that it is now. The Tamil Diaspo! ra in the West and India through to its next generation, is gaining st rength and position of influence and it behoves the interna-tional community to act with proper consideration to stop the extermi-nation of the Tamil people before the issue becomes internationalised. A first generation Afro-American, Barrack Obama, born of a Kenyan Muslim father is today’s front runner for the Democratic Party’s nomina-tion and it gives hope to all of us who are hardworking immigrants. There must be many Members of Parliament (MPs) in Britain and Canada who must know that their Tamil constituents who form a sig-nificant minority in their electorates are watching their MPs with close interest. They wish to see that their MPs understand the merits of this conflict and are able to disentangle themselves from the pejorative label of terrorism that is employed by the rapacious Sinhala state of Sri Lanka in order to cover up their ethnic genocide. They also wish to see their MPs disavow the ‘Milosovec’ like Rajapakse fascist state of Sri Lanka and to show their suppo! rt for a free and democratic Tamil Eelam to join the free world, with a Tamil nation complete with its educated and sophisticated meritocrats. The free will of the Tamils will ultimately prevail. That is the lesson of history.

By: Ivan Pedropillai B.Sc., M.Sc., FCCA, FCMACourtesy: TamilCanadian (February 19, 2008)

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TYO - Canada JANUARY 2009 Vol - 11YO

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Hunger StrikesYouth Attempts to Create Awareness about the Humanitarian Crisis in Vanni

Markham Tamil Youth

Ryerson University Tamil StudentsThe awareness events were held on campus leading up to the 30 hour fast that started on Monday, Janu-ary 26, 2009. The fast was held at the Ryerson Student Centre. About 20 students took part in the hunger strike.

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UTSG Tamil Students

The awareness events were held on Jan 21, 22, 23 leading up to a 24 hour fast that started on Tuesday, January 27, 2009. Signatures for 2 petitions were gathered and Omni TV media was present. There were 35 students participated in the fasting.

UTSC Tamil Students

The awareness events were held on campus leading up to the 24 hour fast that started on Tuesday, January 27. Signatures were gathered for petitions. Mainstream media and campus newspaper interviewed stu-dents. 128 students fasted.

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Waterloo University Tamil StudentsThe 24 hour fast started on Wednes-day, January 28th at the Student Life Centre. CTV News as well as campus newspapers did media coverage. Signa-tures were gathered for a petition to Prime Minister Harper. Huge banners and paintings got the attention from all the students and staffs. There were around 50 students fasting.


UTM Tamil StudentsThe 24 hour hunger strike started on Tuesday, January 27th. There were around 20 students took part in fasting. Awareness events to educate fellow non-Tamil students took place before and during the hunger strike.

Thileepan, the young Tiger leader of Jaffna, took the podium on the 14th Sep-tember at the Nallur Kandasamy temple to commence his fast- unto-death as a protest against India’s failure to fulfill her pledges, and to mobilize the frustrated sentiments of the Tamils into a national mass upsurgence.Thileepan’s non-violent struggle was unique and extraordinary for its com-mitment. Although an armed guerrilla fighter, he chose the spiritual mode of ‘ahimsa’ as enunciated by the great Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi to impress upon India the plight and predicament of the people of Tamil Eelam.The levels to which the Tamil people or more specifically, the LTTE cadres, are prepared to go for their freedom mirrors not only a deep passion for their liberation, but indicates the phenomenal degree of oppression they have been subjected to. It is only those who experience intolerable oppression of such a magnitude, of being threatened with extinction, that are capable of supreme forms of self sacrifice as we have seen from Thileepan’s episode.- Ms. Adele Balasingham, Courtesy: Tamilnation.org

HUNGER STRIKE - Thiyagi Thileepan Anna

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Centennial College Tamil Students

Youth ProtestsYouth creating awareness through massive but peaceful demonstrations

L’Amoreaux High School Students

Centennial College Tamil Students protested out-side of their school and created awareness about the systematic genocide in Sri Lanka. About 250 students took part in this demonstration.

LÀmoreaux C.I. High School stu-dents protested outside of their school, near the main intersection, and created awareness about the systematic genocide in Sri Lanka. More than 150 students took part in this demonstration. Parents were also present at the protest to support their children.

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Tamil Students and Graduates Protest


Many students and graduates gathered at the heart of down town Toronto (Dundas Square) and protested for 24 hours contin-uously in order to bring awareness about the sufferings of Tamils in Sri Lanka. Non-Tamil friends also took part in this event. Main stream media coverage was significant.

TCSW infront of US Consulate

Tamil Youth volunteered and took part in the protest infront of the US Consulate for Toronto, organized by the Toronto Coali-tion to Stop the War (TCSW). TCSW is the largest peace organization in the Greater Toronto Area, representing over 60 labour, student, faith and community groups.http://www.nowar.ca/YO

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Protest at the Sri Lankan Consulate


Tamil youth, with the support from parents and fellow commu-nity members, organized a protest infront of the Sri Lankan consulate for Toronto. The event took place on January 27th. The cries of the youth received main stream media coverage.

Toronto Sun Newspaper

Tamil community organized a peaceful dem-onstration infront of the Toronto Sun media office. The objective of the demonstration was to request the Canadian mainstream me-dia to publish the attrocities happening to the Tamil people in Sri Lanka. The event became a huge success when the media interviewed youth whom explained about the plight of Tamil people.

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Albert Campbell High School Students


Tamil Students of Albert Campbell organized a pro-test against the ongoing genocide of Eelam Tamils by the Sri Lankan govern-ment. Over 200 students participated during the rally. Brochures were handed out about the situ-ation in Sri Lanka.

Human Chain in Toronto

Tamil Youth actively took part in Community or-ganized Human Chain Protest in Toronto. Youth community members presenting the humanitar-ian crisis to the Canadian mainstream media was a huge success.

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Speak OutAs Tamil youth in Canada, we have the ultimate duty of educat-ing others, as well as ourselves of the suffering of the Tamil people. Understanding is crucial. And with understanding comes awareness, the most essential step in the path to progress.

Ignorance is not a bliss.

• Stay updated with recent news

• Write to your local politicians

• Attend rallies

• Enlighten non-Tamil peers

• Write a poem, articles, essay

• Research, understand and recite

“He was so learned that he could name a horse in nine languages; so ignorant that he bought a cow to ride on.” - Benjamin Franklin

Our doors are always open to new members that are looking to make a difference for Tamils around the world.

As an organization with the interests of Tamil youth at heart, TYO provides opportunities for Canadian Tamil youth to network, contribute, and develop their skills in various areas as well.

Interested in getting involved? Please contact us at

[email protected] visit us at

www.canadatyo.org

Join TYO

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Tips on Writing a Letter to your Local MP

DO NOT:- Write to other MP’s – only to your own. MP’s are not required to read letters from non-constituents- Copy and paste letters – doing so will result in not only your letter being dismissed, but everybody else’s as well

DO:- Keep your letter under a page- Write the letter in your own words- Mail your letter and sign it personally (more effective), E-mail as a second option- Ask for a reply to your letter and follow-up with another detailed message after the reply

Please follow the following format and suggested letter flow when writing to your MP:

Your NameHouse, StreetCity, Postal CodePhone Number

MP’s NameMP’s constituency addressDate

Dear Mr/Ms (MP’s Name)

State the purpose of your letter in 2-5 sentences and how the issue affects you. If possible include a personal story and/or information on how this issue affects your, your family or people around you. This will create more impact and will help your representative form a position around the issue.

Give a summary of the situation in 2-4 sentences; only use reputed sources of information.

Ask your MP to take concrete action by giving an instruction. (eg. Have an emergency debate in the House of Commons, speak to the PM on your behalf and make a statement on the situation).

Thank the MP for their time and ask for a reply.

Yours sincerely,Your Name

Courtesy: PRESS

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Guidelines:o All submissions must be in English

o You may create your own title for your work

o Written work should be within 750 words (or 2 pages letter sized), 12 pt font (Times)

o Can be written in any form (article, research essay, poem, story, etc.)

o Include your name, contact info, and University/ College/ High School (If applicable)

o Submit before February 24th, 2009

o Must be e-mailed to [email protected] with the subject ‘Reach-Feb 2009’

o Please attach a word file or copy and paste your work in your e-mail

For our next month’s issue:Submit your written work based on ‘Your Knowledge of the Current Situation in Sri Lanka’

Please follow the guidelines below.

Don’t forget to add [email protected] to your e-mail safe list.

We appreciate all of your time and effort.

TYO - Canada

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REACH - January 2009

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Transcript of REACH - January 2009