Prime Minister Najib offers to assist President Obama in overcoming Islamaphobia in US

MMAIL.COM

NEW YORK: Malaysia wants to assist the United States (US) in overcoming Islamophobia among the American society to allow them a better understanding of Islam and dispel negative perceptions towards the religion, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said.

The Malaysian prime minister said he conveyed the matter to US President Barack Obama during his intervention at the second Asean-US meeting in New York on Friday.

The prime minister also congratulated Obama for his firm stand against the recent plan by a Florida pastor to burn the Quran.

The pastor later cancelled the plan. Although the Asean-US meeting touched mainly on trade, security and regional matters, Najib took the opportunity to draw Obama's attention to the issue of Islamophobia, a phenomenon which has been on the increase in the US lately.

The online encyclopaedia, Wikipedia, defines Islamophobia as "an irrational fear or prejudice towards Islam and Muslims."

"The most important step is to provide the basic knowledge about Islam; that Islam carries universal values, a progressive religion which is very much in line with the concept of modernisation.

"Islam also guarantees the rights of not only Muslims but also that of the non-Muslims," he told Malaysian journalists who are here to cover his six-day visit to New York.

The Islamophobia phenomenon escalates following proposals to build an Islamic centre and a mosque in the vicinity of the "Ground Zero", the site of the Sept 11, 2001 attacks which destroyed the World Trade Center.

The Florida pastor called off his plan to burn copies of the Quran, which he earlier said was to commemorate the anniversary of the Sept 11 terror attacks.

President Obama stressed that the plan would benefit the al-Qaeda and endanger thousands of US troops deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Asked on ways to overcome Islamophobia, Najib stressed that there was a need to provide a better understanding of Islam among the American people.

Citing as example a recent study by Time magazine which showed that 26 per cent of American thought President Obama was a Muslim, Najib said: "This means that in the US, the knowledge (about Islam) is low and there is a need to promote understanding on what Islam is all about."

Najib said: "And we should not be pressurised by extremist groups who have been vocal (in voicing out against Islam) as though the whole of the US is against the religion when in fact, they (the extremist groups) are only a small group."

The survey also showed the level of scepticism among Americans, with some going as far as saying that they did not believe a Muslim should be allowed to run for the presidency.

Protests over the plans to build a mosque near the Ground Zero were also held near the United Nations headquarters here where the 65th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) is underway.

Najib is scheduled to deliver his maiden speech at the UNGA on Monday.The prime minister said he also told Obama that Malaysia welcomed the peace process being worked out between Palestine and Israel towards achieving a conflict resolution based on the principles of co-existence.

He also spoke about his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the UN headquarters on Thursday.

Najib said the Palestinian leader had spoken about the difficult path in finding a solution to the prolonged conflict because of the hardline stand taken by the Tel Aviv regime and the problem to get the cooperation from the Hamas group.

However, Najib said that Mahmoud Abbas told him that the situation in the West Bank had improved.

If the Palestinian people chose peace, and not conflict, as the way forward, Najib said, this meant that they could look into the future with a brighter hope.

"There is a semblance of hope in the West Bank although there are still problems internally, with Hamas, in the efforts to move forward as one voice," Najib said.

On his meeting with US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, Najib said they discussed about a mission by a Malaysian medical team on the invitation of the Afghan government.

Najib said Holbrooke told him of the devastation caused by the flood in Pakistan which affected 20 million people, a disaster described as worse than the Asian tsunami.

"The flood victims are hit by immense sufferings and there is destruction to homes, schools and roads. In terms of the social aspect, the disaster is worse in scale than the tsunami," he said.

EDITORIAL: Accepting refugees

Asahi Shimbun

Five ethnic Karen families comprising 27 people who fled Myanmar (Burma) and have been living in a refugee camp in Thailand will arrive in Japan on Tuesday to start a new life.

They represent the first batch of refugees that Japan will accept under a third-country resettlement arrangement.

Under this resettlement option, refugees who have fled their homeland because of conflict or oppression to a neighboring country may legally travel to and settle in a third country.

Japan plans to accept up to 90 refugees over three years under this formula.

There are an estimated 15 million refugees around the world. From a humanitarian viewpoint, countries that are at peace and enjoying prosperity have a moral obligation to provide shelter and protection for these people. But the number of people who come to Japan on their own to seek asylum and are recognized as refugees has totaled no more than several dozens per year.

Will the resettlement of Karen refugees lead to a major change in Japan's traditional reluctance to accept refugees?

The five families will spend their first six months in Japan learning the Japanese language and customs at a training center while living in apartments in Tokyo. Job placement services will also be offered to them. But half a year of orientation may not be enough for foreign families arriving in Japan for the first time.

There are limited job opportunities for foreign nationals without much knowledge of Japanese. Even if they receive support from the Burmese community in Japan, the Karen families will face a tough time landing on their feet.

In European countries that accept hundreds of refugees every year for third-country resettlement, local governments are actively involved in efforts to help them settle down in the local community.

The United States, which accepts tens of thousands of refugees annually, offers only a one-month orientation, but well-financed nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) provide solid support for refugee communities.

Japan should also establish a system to aid refugees based on the viewpoint of human development. The system should ensure cooperation among local governments, NGOs, businesses and educational institutions to provide long-term support so that each refugee can achieve his or her full potential.

Unless such a system is established, the hopes of the 27 refugees will soon turn into disappointment.

The government provides more than 10 billion yen ($118 million) each year to help refugees overseas, including those from Afghanistan. It would do good service to the cause if a portion--even a few percent--of that money went to support refugees in Japan.

The government has not been very kind to people who come to Japan for protection. The procedure to be recognized as a refugee is lengthy, and woefully insufficient livelihood support is provided by the government while people wait for recognition. In recent years, an increasing number of asylum-seekers have been placed in holding facilities, adding to their anxiety.

Japan is not a popular destination among people living in refugee camps because of the prospect that they will face a great deal of difficulty here without any guarantee of a better life. On the other hand, every week several hundred Burmese refugees travel to North America for resettlement via Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture.

The "Japan passing" by refugees is a national disgrace to this Asian industrial country.

The administration of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan clearly needs a new unit in charge of promoting policies to accept refugees. Ministries and agencies concerned have been trying to shuffle off responsibility onto one another, and the current situation looks like an attempt only to develop a track record on accepting refugees using the third-country resettlements.

With its population of children declining, Japan needs to tackle such questions as what kind of immigrants it should accept and how it should try to improve the environment for their life in Japan.

At the heart of the refugee issue is the lack of a national strategy for making Japanese society more open to outsiders.

Burma Election; Refugees and Media's Role

The MAIL

A day-long media workshop on the forthcoming military sponsored election in Burma (Myanmar) and its implication on hundred thousand Burmese refugees will take place in the Indian capital on September 27.

Organised by Burma Centre Delhi and Burma Center Prague, the workshop will accommodate journalists from both Europe and Asia.

The workshop on September 27 will be followed by a press conference in the Press Club of India, New Delhi.

It may be mentioned that the military regime of Burma named State Peace and Development Council has recently announced November 7 as its poll date. After 1990, the Southeast Asian country is witnessing the general election for the first time.

Shockingly, the main opposition party of Burma, National League for Democracy is out of the electoral exercise. Its acclaimed leader, the pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi is also serving house arrest for years and she will not be entitled to stand as a candidate in the proposed election.

Dr Tint Swe, an exiled Member of Parliament, NCGUB will speak on the Burmese perspective on 2010 election. Dr Swe is living in India for many years and pursuing with the Indian media and civil society for supporting the pro-democracy movement in Burma. The workshop will also be graced by Miloslav Stašek, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to India.

“Burma is ruled by one of the world's harshest regimes, which have attracted criticism for its poor human rights record, the suppression of ethnic minorities, and an economy that excludes the large majority of Burma's population from its benefits. Several million of Burma's citizens have been forced to leave the country in search of safety and to make a living,” said in a statement from Burma Center Prague.

Sangtae, editor of Khonumthung News will highlight on the situation inside Burma with a focus on Chin state and Burma's election, where as Sumit Chakravarty, editor of Mainstream, Jyoti Malhotra, senior editor & freelance Indian journalist, Vijay Jolly, an Indian politician will discuss about India's probable role in the developments.

K. Yhome, associate fellow, Observer Research Foundation will specifically speak on New Delhi's policy on Burma election keeping an eye on the Burmese refugees in India. Soe Myint, editor of Mizzima News will elaborate about the role of Independent Media in the Burma polls, where as N. J. Thakuria will speak about the expected role of Northeast Indian media in the forthcoming Burma election.

Burma's giant neighbour India, which has emerged as an important business partner is seemingly competing with China for its influence on the military regime led by Than Shwe. New Delhi honoured Suu Kyi, the daughter of general Aung San, with prestigious awards. Later, of course, New Delhi adopted Look East Policy and started engaging the military rulers of Burma in various strategic options.

“We have chosen the topics according to their urgency and the apparent disproportion between their high relevance and at the same time low visibility in the media: first, the elections in Burma, scheduled for November 7, and, second, the situation of Burmese refugees living in India. We encourage participants to take a fresh look at these issues from the angle of humanity and to help us in fostering tangible cooperation and partnership on the local level for mutual benefit in the entire region,” commented Christoph Amthor of Burma Center Prague.

Amthor, however, admitted that while most possible solutions to the problem have been probed by regional and global players and found ineffective, recent developments have prompted the regime to call elections, which are criticized for entrenching present power constellations under the pretence of democracy. Still, many observers are optimistic that any change, even if only superficial, could increase the chances of actual transformation, Amthor concluded.

It is the need of the hour to organize such workshop before the election in Burma and we anticipate that the Indian media will be well informed about the upcoming election in Burma through this workshop,” said Alana Golmei of Burma Centre Delhi commented adding that the main target (of the initiative) is to highlight about this issue in the mainstream Indian media with an effective and progressive way.

Moving forward on human rights in M'sia

Malaysiakini

A decade since its establishment on Sept 9, 1999, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) is gratified that an increasing number of Malaysians are now familiar with the notion of human rights. More and more people are coming forward to use the mechanism of Suhakam which the commission tries to deal with promptness and diligence, within its budgetary and statutory limitations.

These include those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable, such as indigenous peoples, women and children and the aged and the economically deprived, among others, who have no other recourse to channel their grievances.

In 2009 Suhakam continued to undertake a number of human rights-related activities, including, among others, a Public Enquiry into the Arrest and Detention of Lawyers of the Kuala Lumpur Legal Aid Centre at the Brickfields Police Station on May 7, 2009, visits to police lock-ups and detention centres (Prisons and Immigration Centres), human rights training for Police and Rela officers, visits and dialogues on the rights of indigenous peoples, meetings with NGOs, workshops on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw), human rights colloquium for the judiciary, roundtable discussions on the right of the Mentally Challenged Persons to Care with Dignity, and on the rights of Older Persons, and human rights talks and exhibitions for university and college students.

Over the years, the commission had worked tirelessly to address human rights issues and raise awareness through dialogues and consultations with various stakeholders. It had carried out public inquiries; conducted research; organised workshops, forums and roundtable discussions on human rights issues; recommended the repeal of the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA), the review of the Printing Presses and Publications Act, Section 27 of the Police Act and the Official Secrets Act, and the abolition of the death penalty and natural life sentence.

While Suhakam welcomes the move to amend the ISA, which it hopes is a first step towards its eventual repeal, it calls upon the government to ensure that the amendments adhere to human rights principles vis-a-vis the detainees' right to personal liberty, the right to a fair trial and the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty as enunciated in Articles 3, 10 and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The commission has also formed an ad-hoc committee on Universal Periodic Review (UPR) with respect to the implementation by the Government of its UPR commitments. It had urged that major legislative bills be referred to the Select Committee of Parliament and state assemblies and that the government accedes and observes various human rights instruments and treaties, especially those that have been under consideration for a long time.

Notwithstanding these efforts, Suhakam continues to face a number of challenges, not the least of which is the need to continue to engage with government agencies, especially those with enforcement powers, so as to create greater awareness, understanding and observance of, and respect for, human rights, as well as of the statutory mandate and role of Suhakam.

Suhakam will continue to deal with a number of human rights complaints that have been constantly lodged to the commission which includes police inaction, arbitrary arrest and detention, excessive use of force by the enforcement officers, selective investigations, and the denial of the right to peaceful assembly and to freedom of speech and expression.

In an effort to uphold the rights of the indigenous peoples, the commission has recently formed the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Committee to look into the plight of the indigenous peoples relating to their rights to the native customary lands, and access to education and health services. The commission is currently accumulating facts and information before considering holding a national inquiry into the rights of the indigenous peoples.

Another issue of concern is relating to religious converts. The commission had submitted a memorandum to the Rulers' Conference on Oct 3, 2009 and had recommended uniformity in the states and federal territories' administration of syariah laws and for a clear procedure in conversion cases, an issue which Suhakam would be following up with the attorney-general's chambers.

A perennial challenge is to persuade the government to have a parliamentary debate on Suhakam's annual report to Parliament which the commission had never failed to submit every year. The commission believes that such a debate would allow the people to better appreciate the state of human rights observance in the country, while allowing the commission to benefit from the views of the members of Parliament from both sides of the aisle.

As an advisory body without enforcement and prosecution powers, the commission encourages members of Parliament to pick up the issues and recommendations contained in the annual report and work towards the human rights betterment of the people as the nation progresses towards attaining its developed country status in 2020.

For its part, Suhakam will make renewed efforts to convince and encourage the government to implement its numerous recommendations and take a more serious view of human rights violations that have been highlighted in its reports and statements. Yet another challenge is the upcoming review of Suhakam's 'A' status by the United Nations International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (ICC).

While the government has taken speedy action to amend Act 597, which Suhakam very much appreciated, the issue will be revisited and a definitive position on the commission's international ranking will be made this October by the ICC, within the context of Malaysia's compliance with the Paris Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993. It is Suhakam's earnest hope that it will remain an 'A' status national human rights institution which would certainly inspire the commission to undertake more serious efforts for the attainment of a higher level of human rights observance and promotion in the country.

However, irrespective of the outcome of the ICC meeting relating to its status, Suhakam will continuously and diligently work to promote and protect human rights in the country. Suhakam applauds some positive actions taken by the government to protect and uphold human rights, namely, the inclusion of 'gender' as one of the grounds prohibited from discrimination; improvement of conditions in detention centres and police lock-ups; ratification of the Convention against Corruption, and of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD); the enactment of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2007; the recent removal of Articles 1, 13 and 15 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC); withdrawal of reservations to Articles 5(a), 7(b) and 16(2) of Cedaw; improvement of public housing and accessibility to healthcare; and making primary education compulsory and free.

These are, indeed, positive steps in the right direction towards the amelioration of the human rights condition in Malaysia. It is hoped that further such steps would be taken by the government so that by raising its standards it would not be unreasonable to expect, at some point in the future, for the country to join the ranks of the leading nations of the world in terms of their observance of human rights principles and practice. Certainly, it is a goal worth striving for.

Towards this end, Suhakam will build on what it had achieved in the past and aside from engaging in a dialogue process with the relevant government agencies, it will continue to unremittingly engage and establish good working relationships with other stakeholders, such as members of Parliament, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs) and the media.

The commission believes that the promotion and protection of human rights in the country is not the exclusive domain or prerogative of a single entity, group, organisation or individual but is the concern of every member of an enlightened society who understands and is prepared to assert these rights as a good and law-abiding citizen, as long as it is pursued with a sense of responsibility.

The writer is chairperson, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

The Chin leaders in Greater Washington DC area meet the Chief Minister of Mizoram and The First Lady

September 5, 2010

Derwood, MD
 

This morning, the leaders of the different Chin ethnic groups met The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Mr. Lal Thanhawla, and the First Lady of Mizoram, Mrs. Lalril-iani. Present were Pu Lal Awm ( the Chairman of the Chin Community of USA, Washington DC area), Van Thawng Ling (the executive director of a newly formed refugee agency Chin American Community Development) and Salai Lairamthang ( the President of Chin Youth Organization of North America). Other community leaders were Pu Mang Cung Nung, Pu Roland Maung, Pu Vanling Sawmmal, Pu Van Thawng Cung, Pu Siang Dun, Pu Van Luai Zathang and Pu Thawng Za Lian.

The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Mr. Lal Thanhawla is one of the twenty two most influential persons of India. He and the First lady welcomed the Chin visitors like his brothers in arms with their warm and charming smile. They both seems to be in their mid-sixties and still alive and kicking. The Chief Minister said “ We all; Mizo, Lai, Bawm, Kuki and etc……, have so many things in common. We are from the same origin and one day we may be under the same sun as one nation. ”

The Chin leaders expressed their gratefulness for the Mizoram government and the people of Mizoram for their generosity while the Chins are suffering under the military regime. As there are about 60-70 thousands Chins in Mizoram, we can't afford to ignore the Mizoram government and their people. The leaders care about the Chin in Mizoram and concern about arrest and deportation. The Chief Minister mentioned about the crime and illegal activities committed by the Chins in Mizoram.

(Actually he is very sympathetic to our people. During the past few days when our people were arrested by the order of India Central Government his office and some of his ministers open their door for us. Even though the court ordered to be deported back to Burma, they were released at the border. Most of them now get back to Aizawl.)

The Chin leaders urged to punish those who committed illegal activities according to the law set forth by the government. But there are so many good people on the other side of the flip coins.

The Chairman of the Chin Community of USA gave a modernized traditional Chin shirt as a small token of love, friendship and respect. After thirty minutes long memorable history making conversation with the Chin leaders, he changed his shirt and had a photo section together with the leaders of the Chin communities.

This meeting was organized by the Chin Community of USA and Chin American Community Development. The Chin leaders are thankful to the leaders of the Mizo Society of America allowing to meet the Chief Minister. May God bless Mr. and Mrs. Lal Thanhawla, Mizo Society of America and the Mizo people our brothers and sisters.

Chin American Community Development

(CACD)

The ‘Boatophobia’ Debate: Dehumanising Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Sri Lanka Guardian

Several other analysts have argued that such asylum seekers abuse refugee claims and status and thereby, deny such rights to ‘genuine’ refugees. This false concern for the Western governments and how their rights and privileges may be exploited is a façade to delegitimise the demands of Tamil asylum seekers.

 by Swati Parashar

 

(August 27, Dublin, Sri Lanka Guardian) Counter terror experts and security analysts are back in action and what do they fear this time? Not bombs, IEDs, nor suicide bombers but the ‘boatpeople’! I have gained sufficient insight into the issue, having camped in Australia for the last two months, to comment on what I call a new form of racism called ‘boatophobia’. At stake are the lives of faceless, nameless (not the men in the Australian Labour Party who ordered the political assassination of former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd!), men, women and children from war hit countries of Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. The two major Australian political parties, in their election campaign, made sure that the ‘boat peoples’ issue was projected as a national security issue. The Australian Labour Party leader and current PM, Julia Gillard, promised a detention centre in East Timor and a ‘small and sustainable Australia’; the Liberal National Party promised the reopening of the detention centre in Nauru and their leader, Tony Abbot, went around repeating as a mantra; “we will stop the boats.” The election has resulted in no clear mandate for either party, and a hung parliament, but the ‘boatophobia’ is here to stay as Australians continue to debate the threats from the faceless, nameless ‘boat people’.

The identity-less’ boat people’ are also back in news, ever since the Thai cargo ship, MV Sun Sea landed at the Canadian coast of British Columbia last week, with 495 Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers. I haven’t seen any of these ‘boat people’ myself, but security experts, who are yet to visit the detention centres in Canada, have wasted no opportunity in declaring the Tamil ‘boat people’ as LTTE terrorists and potential threats to the ‘host countries’. The ‘boatophobes’ appear particularly concerned about the security of the host country, Canada, in this case and have accused the Canadian authorities of being slipshod on terrorism laws and granting asylum to terrorists and of endangering people’s lives. ‘boatophobes’ aka xenophobes from Canada would still have some legitimate concerns, because it is their country that is ‘under threat’ from foreigners descending on their soil to avail of their hospitality. Of grave concern is that ‘boatophobic’ experts in South and South East Asia are defining the ‘security’ requirements of the Western nations. Their arguments are not only patronising and racist but also dehumanise and demonise the Sri Lankan Tamil community, who have more than one reason to escape the brutalities of life in a country that they cannot even call ‘home’.

In the genre of writings on Sri Lankan ‘boat people’, N Sathiyamoorthy, published an article recently in the Daily Mirror from Colombo. In the article called Refugees, Who?, the author cautions against the dangers of granting asylum to potential LTTE terrorists, which would jeopardise the chances of genuine refugees seeking shelter abroad. He argues that “the whole world was monitoring the movement of the so-called ‘refugee ship’ and did nothing about it.” Chiding the Canadian authorities for a lax attitude, the author, writes that “they did not learn their lessons from a host of terrorist incidents elsewhere. Nor did insurgencies in other countries move their law-makers and lawyers”. In the light of such observations and allegations it is important to note that modern ‘terrorists’ have not travelled by boat to Western nations. There is no evidence that any 'boatpeople' turned into potential terrorists of the 9/11 types. ‘Terrorists’ in the West are often the products of societies that they have willingly and legally adopted as ‘homes’ and may not even be first generation immigrants.

The Canadian authorities have a tough task ahead as they scrutinise each individual asylum claim. The asylum seekers remain in detention from where their individual claims will be processed. To suggest that all of these people could be LTTE terrorists amounts to fear mongering in Western societies already brimming with anti-immigration sentiments. Without any evidence to suggest that any of the ‘boat people’ were carrying arms or plotting attacks anywhere, experts are speculating on their terrorist linkages. This speaks of prejudice and racism in itself. Security experts had expressed a similar outcry and fear mongering at the arrival of the ship Ocean Lady at the Canadian coast in October 2009, which was carrying 76 Tamil refugees. The refugees were all men and were held in detention on terrorism charges. All the detainees were subsequently acquitted of any wrong doing, and are waiting for the processing of their refugee claims in Toronto. So much for the ‘terrorism’ hysteria!

On the issue of possible persecution from which the Tamil refugees may be escaping, Mr. Sathiyamoorthy argues that, “if individuals were still being persecuted for their political beliefs in Sri Lanka, how is it that even anti-Government Tamil or Sinhala groups have been contesting elections and winning parliamentary and Provincial Council seats, and also addressing those august forums?.” Contesting elections is not the marker of any country's Human Rights performance. Zimbabwe and Burma are examples in this regard. India is a beacon of democracy where all kinds of political views are tolerated and elections contested, but there are communities which are still marginalised and claim persecution. In a deeply divided country that Sri Lanka is, where the war between the two ethnic communities has been the reality of lived experiences, ‘persecution’ has overt and subtle manifestations. The vehement opposition to the three member UN panel by Sinhalese leaders speaks volumes about the government’s intent to address the grievances of the Tamils and their blatant violation of international norms. The demonstrations against the United Nations expert panel were led by a government minister, Wimal Weerawansa and clearly demonstrated the government’s open hostility to investigations of alleged war crimes in the war against the LTTE that concluded last year.

Human Rights violations are unabated as detention, death and disappearances of Tamil youth are repeatedly reported by international agencies. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, apart from other independent international media have regularly published reports on the plight of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. It is impossible to even imagine substantively, that a government that does not hesitate to intimidate the international community cannot threaten the lives of its own citizens, especially the vanquished in war! In April last year, 46 illegal immigrants died and 60 were found unconscious in an airless shipping container near Quetta in Pakistan. All of the victims were Afghan nationals including Uzbeks, Tajiks and Hazaras who were trying to enter Iran through unfrequented routes of Balochistan having no valid travel documents. Were they ‘terrorists’, potential security threats? Could we, along the same lines, question their ‘persecution’ claims or human rights violations on the grounds that they have an elected government in Afghanistan to represent them and international forces monitor their country and enforce accountability?

The author further suggests that, “in the case of Sri Lankan Tamils, for instance – all those who are already there in far-off lands like Australia, Canada and all across Europe – India should have been their first and natural port-of-call, particularly if they did not have any terrorist links or even if their claims to refugee status in far-off lands were genuine”. It is unfathomable that, given the role India has played, and given the credibility it enjoys in Sri Lanka, India should even be considered a safe haven by the Sri Lankan Tamil community. It is very patronising to suggest that while migrant communities (including Indians) everywhere can travel to lands where there is prosperity and better economic and social opportunities, Sri Lankan Tamils, if ‘innocent’ should consider India their favoured destination from where they can return ‘home’, whatever ‘home’ implies. As for how India treats its refugees, we might ask the Kashmiri Pandits that, or other internally displaced people.

It is not a hidden fact that India provided material and moral support to the Sri Lankan government to decimate the Tigers and that India also absolved the Sri Lankan government for the large number of civilian deaths in the name of collateral damage. The IPKF experience was also a failed experiment by the Indian government, inflicting atrocities on the Tamil people. India has never played the role of a responsible regional leader in its relations with the neighbouring countries. In the post war environment too, India’s engagement with Sri Lanka intensified as a counter to growing Chinese influence and investments in reconstruction efforts. India’s role in Sri Lanka has been as disastrous as its handling of the ongoing Kashmir protests, which many of us, Indians, watch with horror and trepidation. In such a situation, to even suggest that Sri Lankan refugees should consider India their home, is not only a violation of their free will but also patronising towards the very people, whose lives have been affected by the policies of the Indian government, albeit indirectly.

The author concedes that the reasons for the long voyage undertaken by the MV Sun Sea asylum seekers might be “more economical than political. If there is politics involved, it may relate to the determination of a de-capacitated group to embarrass their own government in the international arena and media, alike.” I ask, aren’t economic migrants entitled to refugee status? What economic opportunities lie in a war torn country, that too, for the vanquished? They are not 'refugees' in such kinds of analyses but their intentions are suspect and they are labelled potential terrorists. Could we apply the same scrutiny and labelling to the Indians who travelled to Malaysia and then disappeared, willingly, for better life and economic opportunities? Are all Hispanics in America living illegally, terrorists? There is also a suggestion that these people may have travelled all the way to Canada to embarrass their government. Surely embarrassing governments is not a crime? It is difficult to imagine that ‘embarassing the government’ was the concern of these Tamil asylum seekers, (women and children included) who risked their lives in this long voyage without any guarantees of the success of their mission.

Several other analysts have argued that such asylum seekers abuse refugee claims and status and thereby, deny such rights to ‘genuine’ refugees. This false concern for the Western governments and how their rights and privileges may be exploited is a façade to delegitimise the demands of Tamil asylum seekers. Before the Sri Lankan Tamil ‘boat people’ issue, South Asian analysts were completely oblivious to the issue of illegal immigration and refugees in the West. Australia or Canada or the United Kingdom, do not need us to do their bidding. They have policies in place to address this issue and are governed by their own values and political convictions. Australia and Canada in particular are immigrant societies. John Moore of Canadian News talk 1010 reminds, “As the countries of origin of our newcomers became more diverse, each new wave was regarded as lazy, grasping, unwashed and unwanted. Trace your family’s roots and not only are you guaranteed to find an immigrant but also likely an ethnic or cultural community that was denigrated in its time. And how soon we forget it.”

None of these fear mongering analyses on the ‘boat people’ actually take an international stance against illegal immigration. Their concern is only the Tamil ‘boat people’. There are more illegal immigrants (large numbers of Indians included) who travel by other means than in an easily interceptible boat or ship which will be thoroughly investigated upon landing at any national coast. It is common logic to imagine why the Tamils would be running from Sri Lanka at a time when they have lost everything in war, an environment of fear persists and there is no leadership that can address their grassroots problems. Dehumanising the asylum seekers through fear mongering and through the ‘securitisation’ discourse speaks of prejudices that still persist on this issue. Every Sri Lankan Tamil is being seen as an LTTE sympathiser or supporter, thereby making a mockery of their plight and suffering.

Prejudices are bound to exist amidst diversity and where resources and access to opportunities of all hues are scarce and highly competitive. Scholars, analysts and policy experts do not operate in situational vacuum and are affected by biases too. It is worth considering that seeking asylum by boat is not "illegal". In fact, it is a right guaranteed under national and international law. It is neither requisite nor fair to punish people who are simply trying to escape harsher conditions of a post war society. Moreover, each asylum seeker’s case is dealt with individually and thoroughly. ‘Terrorists’ do not have predictable characteristics, neither do they come from a particular class or ethnicity alone. The so called experts and ‘boatophobes’ have hastily, in their zeal to brand the entire Sri Lankan Tamil community as ‘terrorists’, pronounced their verdict on the ‘boat people’ - Guilty, unless proven innocent.

(The author is a Lecturer of International Relations and Development at University of Limerick, Ireland. She can be contacted at swatiparashar@hotmail.com)