[IMC-UK-Features] Proposed Feature - Tamil March

[Mark]

Hi

I have the following proposal for a main feature on the UK site.

I've laid it out as below (also attached - you'll better unserstand what
key words in text relate to imbedded weblinks - key words in bold).

Story consist of following main items in newswire:

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/06/432828.html
&
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/06/432832.html


The Proposed Feature:


On Saturday 20th June, around 100,000
people(http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/06/432769.html) (mainly Tamils)
marched in Central London in support of the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka.
The march was organised by the British Tamil Forum
(http://www.tamilsforum.com/).
Report here:http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/06/432828.html
Short Film:http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/06/432832.html
Pics: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/06/432769.html
&
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/06/432814.html

Over 280,000 displaced civilians are being held in prison camps - living
in dire conditions with poor sanitation, without adequate security, with
reports disease is rife. Young girls being abducted from the camps. Read
report here:http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/06/432769.html
Amnesty International has received consistent reports of serious human
rights violations, including enforced disappearance, extra-judicial
executions and torture and sexual violence. Read article here:
http://thereport.amnesty.org/en/regions/asia-pacific/sri-lanka

There have been accusations of
genocide(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LegacyofColonialism/message/2124)
having taken place in Sri Lanka in last few months. In the recent conflict
in Sri Lanka, so far this year, over 20,000 Tamils (a very conservative
estimate) – mainly civilians - have lost their lives in a massive military
onslaught (http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/05/429989.html) by
Sinhalese Sri Lankan government forces as a 26-year civil war came to a
climax (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LegacyofColonialism/message/2100),
involving the use of cluster bombs and shelling (:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0902368.htm]), with
widespread reports the SLA used chemical weapons
(http://www.warwithoutwitness.com/images/stories/PDF/WWWReport_SriLankaUseChemicalBombs_08thApril2009.pdf).
Three doctors who were working inside the last Tamil Tiger-held war zone
were detained by the Sri Lankan Army & held on suspicion of collaborating
with Tamil rebels. Appeal to World Leaders for release of Dr.
Shanmugarajah, Dr. Varatharajah and Dr Sathiyamoorthy
Ref:  http://voiceagainstgenocide.org/vag/node/106

On 4th June, the Sri Lankan authorities refused entry to a humanitarian
aid ship carrying vital supplies of food and medical aid for Tamil victims
of recent conflict.
Latest on the whereabouts of the ship:
http://asiantribune.com/06/19/ask-lanka-to-allow-relief-ship-karunanidhi-tells-indian-govt/comment-page-1/#comment-176

Despite massive international pressure, on Wed 27th May, the United
Nations Human Rights Council refused calls to investigate allegations of
war crimes by both sides.
http://www.tamilnewsnetwork.com/tamilnewsnetwork.com/post/2009/05/28/Sri-Lanka-forces-West-to-retreat-over-e28098war-crimese28099-with-victory-at-UN.aspx

Meanwhile, ongoing repression of independent media & of government critics
continues: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/06/432637.html

More Info: Historical background to the Ethnic conflict between the Sinhalese
majority and the Tamil population on the former British
colony:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LegacyofColonialism/message/2070 &
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LegacyofColonialism/messages/2071

[end]







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