So anyway, less background more current. That last post was sort of an attempt to explain why things have been so crazy in the weeks since I've gotten here. As of late, the UN has put some pressure on the Government of Sri Lanka to submit to an investigation of war crimes for the events of the final months of the war. The United States sent a panel to interview and question people. Samantha Power, the leading genocide expert in the United States was here. This was a huge deal (SIPA people understand) but her visit got little to no mention in the press, which is mostly government owned and controlled. At the same time the North province has been cut off for foreigners. I can only gain access with special permission from the ministry of defence. There is no likelihood of that, and I'd normally flaunt the rules and charm my way past, but in this case, if you get caught you're probably jailed forever. There will be no visits to the northern province for me this summer!
The European Union also put pressure on the government via a trade deal. The trade deal, known as the GSP came with a list of agreements. This time the agreements had everything to do with war victims and lists of dead combatants. Let's just say that this 17 point list was not well received, in fact it was rejected by the government.
The government sees itself as victors in a war on terror and their ends justify whatever means they used. Rajapaksa, the president says that he wants to protect the dignity of the war heroes. That pretty much means the government will not tolerate any sort of inquiry or questioning from anyone. Yes, it makes them look like they have a huge amount of things to hide. I know. But SL sees it as an attack on their sovereignty. A comparison to the United States is usually made, where the US would never submit to an inquiry in the international criminal court for any accusations for events in Iraq, Gauntanamo or Afghanistan. I understand and agree with the reality of that sentiment, but it doesn't make the situation any better.
So this brings us to last week. Last week was particularly dramatic as the UN continued to push for a panel. In this time, one parliament member suggested that Sri Lankan citizens storm the UN to show their contempt for the panel. Over the weekend the minister backtracked and said that it was not to be taken as a threat. Well, people prepared themselves and "besieged" the UN office, blocking all the workers in it. They set up a stage in front of the office. Police officers looked on, all but condoning this crowd burning a Ban Ki Moon in effigy with posters that said "Ban Ki Pimp, US Puppet, Ruiner of the UN." Harsh words, also many parliament members were protesting. The UN had to shut down operations for several days. In that time Wimal Weerawansa, the minster of Housing, and a very popular parliament member announced he would fast unto death to get the United Nations to drop the panel.
So imagine a man dramatically laying on a bed, refusing food and water for two days, in the street outside the UN compound with tons of cameras and press around. Total farce. The government promised no harm would be done to UN employees but made no efforts to try to stop or break up the protests. This went on for 5 days straight. The hunger strike lasted about 2 days.
Disclaimer- these crowds were nonviolent, and I was banned from seeing the protests by my office.
So there it stands, the political drama of the week.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Short Updates, Current Political Situation
Ok so I've been really horrible in updating the blog, I know I know. I'll admit. Politically things happen so fast here that its really hard to keep up with all the developments without confusing yourself! Honestly. Sri Lanka is having a very interesting summer for politics.
Constitutional reforms, political protests, US Panels, UN panels, IEDs, it's a lot! I'll try to break things down as best I can.
May 19 2010 commemorated the anniversary of the end of the 30 year long Civil War. You talk to some people and they'll describe it as a war for independence but anyone remotely attached to the government calls it the end of the war on terror and claims that “terrorism no longer exists in Sri Lanka.” There is much dispute about what actually happened around the end of the way in May 2009. It is known that at that point the government was doing what it could to try to crush the LTTE. At the same time the LTTE decided to use a human shield, catching many civilians between the two sides. As their occupied area got smaller and smaller, you can imagine what happened. On May 19 the leader of the LTTE was killed in battle and the war was declared over.
Again, as I've mentioned before, this is just a gist of the situation and not an in-depth analysis. It's tough, because I understand how relieved people are that the war is over. Most of the fighting took place in the north and east but much of the retaliation was deliberate attacks on important places in Colombo and cultural sites around the country.
What kind of effect does 30 years of civil war have on a population? Imagine boarding a city bus every day afraid that someone on it is strapped with explosives. There was a point at which there was at least one bus bombing a month in Colombo. You're terrified and at the same time mostly desensitized to the violence around you because it doesn't always hit home due to its random nature. It becomes seen more as an inconvenience when traffic has to be re-routed because of a bomb blast. Every Sri Lankan has lost a family member or friend during the course of the conflict. To be able to live in a place of steady, yet random violence, you have to become desensitized. The war became a part of life. The government was able to take great liberties with rule of law and infringing upon people because the conflict could always be used as an excuse for any sort of action. There are still checkpoints all over the city, you can and will be stopped at any point by police officers looking to see your ID or passport. In my case, I carry my passport everywhere so the sidetracking is minimal. If you're stopped without your passport or state ID you could be jailed.
Its affected different parts of the country differently, and in all ways shaped the way members of government work, act and campaign. Rhetoric here is absolutely amazing. At no point in the country's history was there a military draft or forced conscription of adult males. Every member of the military is a volunteer. In doing to majority politicians had to walk a curious line to ensure recruits.
Constitutional reforms, political protests, US Panels, UN panels, IEDs, it's a lot! I'll try to break things down as best I can.
May 19 2010 commemorated the anniversary of the end of the 30 year long Civil War. You talk to some people and they'll describe it as a war for independence but anyone remotely attached to the government calls it the end of the war on terror and claims that “terrorism no longer exists in Sri Lanka.” There is much dispute about what actually happened around the end of the way in May 2009. It is known that at that point the government was doing what it could to try to crush the LTTE. At the same time the LTTE decided to use a human shield, catching many civilians between the two sides. As their occupied area got smaller and smaller, you can imagine what happened. On May 19 the leader of the LTTE was killed in battle and the war was declared over.
Again, as I've mentioned before, this is just a gist of the situation and not an in-depth analysis. It's tough, because I understand how relieved people are that the war is over. Most of the fighting took place in the north and east but much of the retaliation was deliberate attacks on important places in Colombo and cultural sites around the country.
What kind of effect does 30 years of civil war have on a population? Imagine boarding a city bus every day afraid that someone on it is strapped with explosives. There was a point at which there was at least one bus bombing a month in Colombo. You're terrified and at the same time mostly desensitized to the violence around you because it doesn't always hit home due to its random nature. It becomes seen more as an inconvenience when traffic has to be re-routed because of a bomb blast. Every Sri Lankan has lost a family member or friend during the course of the conflict. To be able to live in a place of steady, yet random violence, you have to become desensitized. The war became a part of life. The government was able to take great liberties with rule of law and infringing upon people because the conflict could always be used as an excuse for any sort of action. There are still checkpoints all over the city, you can and will be stopped at any point by police officers looking to see your ID or passport. In my case, I carry my passport everywhere so the sidetracking is minimal. If you're stopped without your passport or state ID you could be jailed.
Its affected different parts of the country differently, and in all ways shaped the way members of government work, act and campaign. Rhetoric here is absolutely amazing. At no point in the country's history was there a military draft or forced conscription of adult males. Every member of the military is a volunteer. In doing to majority politicians had to walk a curious line to ensure recruits.
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