TIC Genocide of Tamil People 1998 entire - Ilankai Tamil Sangam

IntroductionSkull and bones representing a Tamil victimGenocide is the ultimate crime under internationallaw, a crime against humanity. Bringingforward charges of genocide is a graveaccusation.In the case of Sri Lanka, which ratified the GenocideConvention in 1950, these charges have beenbrought forward by Tamils against members of theSinhalese majority, in particular members of successivegovernments. This study will not set out to determineindividual guilt since this would require athorough judicial investigation. Rather, based on thelegal definition of genocide and on sociological approacheson the genocidal process and the so-calledgenocidal society, it will focus on two interrelatedissues.Firstly, what characterises a society in which genocideis likely to occur and can Sri Lanka be describedas being such a society? Secondly, have there beenacts of genocide in Sri Lanka and, if so, who hasbeen responsible for these as evidenced on a primafacie basis? This examination, while not ignoringthe issue of punishment, will be focusing on the preventionof genocide. In this regard, enforcementmechanisms provided under the Genocide Conventionand their effectiveness will be scrutinised. Finally,based on the findings of this study, a strategywill be developed with a view to prevent acts of genocidetaking place in Sri Lanka in the future.The International Crime of Genocide: The Case of the Tamil People in Sri Lanka 1