Sri Lanka: Thousands die of hunger in camps

The Christian community of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, in southern India, expressed its support and full solidarity to the civilian population of Tamil origin in Sri Lanka, which was harshly tried by the cruel final months of the war and that today suffers from displacement and discrimination.

A statement sent from local organizers of a large demonstration “for our Tamil brothers,” sent to Agenzia Fides, explained that the event took place in recent days in the state of Tamil Nadu, to spread awareness among civil authorities and ask the Indian government to place pressures on the government of Sri Lanka, asking that basic human rights of Tamil civilians on the island be respected.

Over 300,000 Tamil civilians are dying of hunger and difficulties in refugee camps set up by the government six months ago, during the attacks of the Sri Lankan Army, which led to the flight of hundreds of thousands of internal refugees. Several humanitarian organizations have also denounced the abuse and violence suffered by the Tamil youth and women in the refugee camps, in addition to the lack of food and water and the constant lack of medical attention. The soldiers from the Army suspect the infiltration of Tamil Tiger guerrillas in the camps, as they are managed by a “quasi prison-like” regime.

The Christian Tamil in India, in a Memorandum presented to authorities, asked that the central government consent to an intervention of NGOs to work in the refugee camps and offer the needed basic assistance and protection of dignity and human rights of the people.

At the demonstration for Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka, there were numerous Christians from all different denominations, as well as politicians, academics, and Church authorities. Bishop Peter Remigius of Kottar sent a note to Fides saying: “The Sri Lankan Army treats the Tamil like animals, even though the war ended three months ago. The Sri Lankan government has the duty of providing assistance and solidarity.” Many Christian schools in the state of Tamil Nadu have closed on September 19, to protest the inhumane treatment of the Tamil in Sri Lanka.

Source: FIDES