Rutgers Model United Nations 2 - IDIA

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Rutgers Model United Nations 1 Policy Dilemma For decades, the rebel group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) have been at war with the Sri Lankan government, fighting for an autonomous Tamil region in the north and east part of the island. The conflict in Sri Lanka dates back to 1948 when the state gained its independence from Great Britain. The Sinhalese majority resented the Tamils minority who were favored by the British. After they gained their independence, the Sinhalese proceeded to change the island’s name from Ceylon to Sri Lanka, made Sinhala the primary language, and Buddhism the primary religion. Rising tension between the two groups resulted in the LITTE beginning their separatist movement. Since 1976, more than 70,000 people have been killed as a result of the conflict between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan government. 1 Thousands of innocent Tamils have also been displaced as a result of the government forces pushing them into the eastern region of Sri Lanka. Up until the 1970s Sri Lanka was a developing nation that was making progress with a high life expectancy, high education and low infant mortality rates. 2 However, because of the constant fighting within the state Sri Lanka is going backwards with a deteriorating democratic structure and a decrease quality of life. The international community has interfered in the conflict in the past, but has not been successful and the fighting continues to be fierce. In 2002, both sides entered peace talks brokered by Norway with the agreement to establish an autonomous Tamil region in the northern part of the state. 3 Both sides violated the agreement and the plan was called off by the Sri Lankan government in January 2008. 4 The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission was established by Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland with the purpose “to monitor and report on ceasefire violations committed by both the government and the 1 Jeremy Page, “Fears Grow for Trapped Civilians as Army Launches Final Onslaught,” The Times London, February 3, 2009, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com 2 Damien Kingsbury, “Only Compromise Can Resolve Sri Lanka’s Deadly Nightmare,” The Age, January 9, 2008, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 3 Vijay Sappani, “The Crisis in Sri Lanka: Canada’s role,” The National Post, February 6, 2009, Lexis Nexis. http://www.lexisnexis.com 4 Ibid.
Rutgers Model United Nations 2 LITTE.” 5 This was not an attempt at a peace keeping mission, merely trying to observing the fighting that was occurring and reporting it to the global community. This has been the last efforts by the international community to help establish peace in the region. India has been the state most active in peace agreements in Sri Lanka because of the close proximity and connection it has to the state. 6 In order for a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operation to be formed, there must be peace in Sri Lanka. However, the Sri Lankan government has been resistant to UN and other outside forces interfering. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights wanted to set up and office in Sri Lanka, but was not allowed. 7 Once the fighting between the groups have ceased, a peacekeeping operation can commence to restore Sri Lanka. Chronology 4 February 1948: Sri Lanka Gains Its Independence In 1948 Sri Lanka, which at the time was known at Ceylon gained independence from Britain. Once the state gained independence, the conflict between the ethnic groups living in the state came to light. Two main groups that live in Sri Lanka are the Buddhist Sinhalese majority that makes up 74 per cent of the population, and the Hindu Tamils minority who comprise 12 per cent. The two groups were treated differently by the British, with the Hindu Tamils minority receiving favorite treatment. When the British left Sri Lanka, a Westminster style democracy was created that favored the Sinhalese majority. 8 In response to the years in which they were discriminated against, the Sinhalese began to discriminate against the Tamils. The beginning of this treatment is what has lead to the ethnic clashes that have been going on for decades. 5 “Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission Hold Last Media Briefing in Capital,” January 18, 2008, BBC Monitoring South Asia, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com 6 Shakuntala Perera, “Commentator Accuses India of “Hidden Agenda” in Dealing with Sri Lanka,” June 5, 2007, BBC World Monitoring South Asia, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com 7 “US Envoy Urges Political Solution to Sri Lanka Conflict, “ October 25, 2008, BBC World Monitoring South Asia, Lexis Nexis, http://www.lexisnexis.com 8 Connie Levett, “Unraveling Ceasefire Fails to Halt Bloodshed,” The Age, March 17, 2007, Lexis Nexis, http:///www.lexisnexis.com.
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Rutgers Model United Nations 2 - IDIA

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