Time now right for credible solution to lasting peace

By Paul Willms Observer on the Sri Lankan process to reconciliation & Ex MP Third Chamber, The Netherlands)

The world has clearly taken notice of the self-initiated process of reconciliation by President Rajapaksa, which seemed to be a strong and credible one. However, the ongoing alleged human rights violations, reported by international human rights organisations, and the insecure security environment have created a situation wherein Sri Lankans have to deal with a considerable threat to their basic human rights.

Ongoing military engagement between the Sri Lankan security forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (Tamil Tigers) has resulted in a dramatic increase in the defense expenditure, which will slow down the overall development of the country. This was legitimate as Sri Lankan policy makers were seriously convinced they would be able to effectively eliminate acts of terrorism, while encouraging militant groups to become part of the current political system.

Some of the militant groups found existence in the current political system and opted to reduce their militaristic aims by focussing on a political solution, which was the success story for the Karuna / Pilliyan leadership. However, their cadres have not yet fully disarmed nor released all child soldiers, and therefore a barrier remains to the functioning of the civil society in the Eastern Province.

Taking note of the engagement by the Sri Lankan Government to fight against tactics of terrorism, there has been a remarkable decrease of terrorism related activities, such as suicide bombings, throughout the island. However, it has not been proven whether this has been achieved due to the military strategies to contain it, or because of international pressure to halt the use of suicide and roadside bombings by militant groups such as the Tamil Tigers, who are accused of utilising these unacceptable methods in their decades old struggle for an autonomous region in the North and East of the island.

Though major successes on the battlefield have been realised by the Sri Lankan security forces, the faith of more then 250.000 people in the conflict region remains unknown to the outside world. There have been stories of horrific living conditions, even by some compared to the situation in Somalia, wherein thousands of ethnic Tamils are caught-up in the fierce fighting between the warring parties. Let alone the recent floods which severely affected their mobility to find safer grounds. The ongoing humanitarian assistance to the people in need remains workable, though often with much delay or bureaucratic regulations, which severely affect the continuation of the ongoing process to provide adequate aid for those in need.

Taking the vulnerability of the civilians into account, there is a need for a humanitarian corridor wherein both The Sri Lankan security forces and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam will allow the ICRC and other well respected INGO’s to function independently. This should be allowed without any regulations or presence from the parties of the conflict while ensuring that in this specific allocated territory, international humanitarian law will prevail and be regarded as the highest authority. This only can guarantee a stop to the current suffering of the civilians, the alleged human rights violations and the ability of the parties to pursue people to adhere to unacceptable policies and practices.

If the parties have the required courage and credible leadership to allow such a humanitarian corridor for the trapped civilians, then only will there be a period without any fear or prosecution. This will lay the foundation for these people to receive adequate and continuous care while the parties can continue their militaristic agenda. Especially during this New Year period, as it seems that both parties remain unwilling to agree on an unconditional cease fire agreement, the least they can do for the people in the specific region, should be an agreement to allow a ‘’safe heaven’’ for the innocent civilians who have never opted for this military campaign.

Reconciliation
The President of Sri Lanka should not allow anyone, including himself, to betray his own initiated process of reconciliation. His threat to proscribe the Tamil Tigers will be unhelpful and regarded as a sign of weakness and dishonesty to his policies, wherein he earlier stated that he would include all stake holders to realise a sustainable peace settlement for the island. Most of the Sri Lankan people know very well that the Tamil Tigers will not encourage civilians to flee to government controlled territory. However a neutral allocated territory might make them reconsider their tough policies.

Of course Sri Lankans themselves should solve this conflict. However with decades of old protracted conflict and a culture of distrust, among the various stakeholders, there is a great need to invite mediators with utmost neutrality. Noting that the Norwegian brokered peace efforts have effectively failed, there is a need for a brand new concept on how to mediate and facilitate the Sri Lankans in their own process of reconciliation. The western orientated diplomacy has failed to constructively engage in resolving the Sri Lankan conflict and their orientated models have excluded the specific needs and cultural values of the interested parties. President Rajapaksa is the only one who can allow an innovative way of mediation. This is the foremost reason for President Rajapaksa not to make too hasty decisions which he might eventually regret, because it can become an obstacle in his own willingness to move the country forwards instead of backwards. The Opposition parties share the blame in the unproductive progress, as they have deliberately obstructed the goodwill of the President to initiate this process of reconciliation. This will only strengthen the claim of the Tamil Tiger leadership that underlines the continuous inability of the Singhalese polity to act united in resolving the underlying causes that led to this bloody war. They adhere to their belief that the Singhalese majority political parties will remain unable to unlock themselves out of the decades old conservative / chauvinistic thinking in order to come to a consensus, which should be the fundament for a durable peace.

This is the reason why the Tamil Tigers consider the Singhalese polity as an unreliable  partner for a sustainable peace. Even the American Ambassador Robert Blake, a great ally of Sri Lanka, has clearly noticed and understood this by his latest remarks wherein he suggested that now should be the rightful moment to propose and implement a credible political solution in order to weaken the Tamil Tiger claim. This latest indication clearly outlines the dangers of delaying and frustrating the political process towards reconciliation that will eventually lead to a repetition of history.

While the President rightly acknowledged from the start of his Presidency that the cease fire agreement was unsuitable, he should not try to leave space for making his own initiated process of reconciliation, defunct. If so, it would be the end of his political leadership and will drag the country back to square zero, which would be unbearable for Sri Lanka.  

Diversity
Sri Lanka is an island with great diversity and opportunities. However it is those who are in power who can guide the country towards prosperity and overall development. This should be the time when great leaders unite and overcome their personal differences in order to solve deep-rooted problems and to create that needed dialogue and understanding that can effectively contribute to the progress in the process of reconciliation. They are obligated, as the young generation in Sri Lanka will count on their leadership and credibility, to lay the foundation for the future generation, to enjoy a great prospect to live in peace with a secured environment.  

The New Year period might be the right moment to evaluate, consolidate and to reconsider how we can work towards achieving this goal.