'I’m less inclined to take Sri Lanka govt conclusions about who’s on the boat and why they’re there' - Bob Rae
Send Them Back an Old, and Awful, Refrain
by Bob Rae
Canadians have been caught up in the drama of the arrival of a small boat with 500 people aboard. They have travelled for several months on the Pacific Ocean, turned away in Thailand, Australia, and given the cold shoulder everywhere else until they reached the western shore of Vancouver Island, escorted by the Canadian navy.
Bob Rae MP (Toronto Cenre)
Many have suggested that the ship should have been boarded and just turned away. Unfortunately these views have a terrible pedigree, and call to mind the fate of two other boats, the Komagata Maru and the SS St Louis.
The Komagata Maru set sail from Calcutta in 1914, picking up passengers in Yokohama and Shanghai before making the long voyage to Vancouver. Its arrival in the harbour was met by powerful hostility. In the previous decade Canada had opened itself to the arrival of 400,000 Europeans, but had strict laws and regulations preventing Asians and others from coming. The passengers on board the Komagata Maru, who were mainly Sikh, tried desperately to land but both the federal and provincial governments did all in their power to prevent the 354 passengers from landing. This brutal discrimination succeeded, and the ship was forced to sail back to Calcutta. The Imperial authorities concluded that the leaders on the boat were dangerous agitators for Indian freedom, and 19 of them were killed on arrival in Calcutta. Many others were arrested and imprisoned. The incident remains a dark stain on Canada’s reputation, for which Stephen Harper has yet to apologise in the House of Commons. The House itself has endorsed a motion in the name of Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla expressing just such an apology.
The SS St Louis made its famous voyage, known as the “voyage of the damned”, in 1939. Its 936 Jewish passengers made their way from Hamburg to Cuba, where they were denied landing, although they all had visas. After a stay of many days, the ship set sail for the U.S., where it was also rejected, and then to Halifax, where the Liberal government of the day also refused entry. It had to make its way back across the north Atlantic to Antwerp, where passengers were dispersed to a number of countries, many of which were soon to be occupied by the Nazis. Historians tell us that as many as 254 of the St Louis passengers were killed in Nazi death camps, while the rest probably survived the war.
Just two years ago Canadian Church leaders held a ceremony of apology to recognise the terrible wrong done. Bishop Marcel Gervais of Ottawa said “remembering what happened to the passengers will help Christians make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
This past week Canadians have been subjected to wild rumours of disease rampant aboard the ship, and allegations that “terrorists” and “criminals” are about to run amok in the country. Many urged the Canadian navy to board the ship in international waters and send them on their way.
Bishop Gervais’s admonition notwithstanding, it would seem some have learned very little from our past. Of course people paid to get on the Tamil boat, just as they did to get on the Komagata Maru, the SS St Louis, and Kastner’s train for that matter.
Sri Lanka’s civil war did not come to a pretty ending. As the army made its way through the country, planes strafing villages and bombing civilians, Tamils who had returned home after the ceasefire of 2001 were corralled by the opposing sides to the north-eastern shore of the country. The complete exclusion of journalists and international observers and agencies makes it impossible to know how many died in the last weeks of the war: estimates range from a few hundred to 40,000. The entire leadership of the LTTE and their families were wiped out. Hundreds of thousands became refugees in their own country.
General Fonseca, who ran as a presidential candidate, was arrested the day after the election. Dozens of journalists are killed every year, and many foreign observers, from Swedish Foreign Minister to Bob Rae, Canadian MP (and writer of this blog), have been refused entry to the country.
Canada has an obligation under our law to take refugee claims seriously, to weigh them in a judicious manner, and to insist that allegations of “terrorism” and “human trafficking” be proven. We also need to work with our international friends and the UN to understand better why these boats are travelling, how they are being organised, and why people feel they should take them.
It is a pity Vic Toews didn’t mention the Komagata Maru and the SS St Louis, and why we’re not going to repeat those atrocities. To turn away a boat that’s been on the high seas for over 90 days would be unconscionable. It would also be illegal.
What, then, of the “moral hazard”, the argument that if we let one boat it will be followed by countless more ? These are not exactly cruise ships. Not everyone on them will be found to be a refugee. But if the Sri Lankan government says I’m a threat to their national security I’m less inclined to take seriously their blanket conclusions about who’s on the boat and why they’re there. I have confidence in our immigration and justice system. Vic Toews is right about one thing: the world is watching. I’m proudest as a Canadian when we’re setting the right standard for the world. We didn’t do it in 1914 for the Komagata Maru or in 1939 for the St Louis. Let’s get it right this time. ~ courtesy: Liberal.ca ~
19 Comments
Thank you Bob for your true analysis of the situation regarding the 500 boat people who landed at Vancouver.Its high time people saw through the veil of hypocrisy and half truths paraded by the present government in Sri Lanka.
WELL SAID BY AN EMINENT POLITICIAN WHO STANDS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND WHOSE OBJECTIVITY AND IMPARTIALITY IN PRESENTING MATTERS IS ABOVE BOARD.WISH WE HAVE MORE OF THESE CALIBERED POLITICIANS IN THE WORLD TO PROMOTE PEACE. LONG LIVE MR. RAE
Yeah Bob why don't you open your doors to these terrorists. Your liberal predecessors gave asylum for LTTE terrorists and now they are bringing baggage. Don't ask regular Canadians to pay for your previous mistakes.
Canada taking all the refugees in the world is not a concern for us. But Bob, please do not do it at the expense of Sri Lanka.
Please consider following;
1. Desparate refugees would normally look for the nearest safe place. In that sense India with the largest Tamil population is the nearest (less than 50 km) and the safest. The fact these people travelled for months to Thailand and then to Canada indicates different motivations than escape from a life threatening environment.
2. It is being said (I am quoting Tamil web sites here), that $40-50,000 per person may have been paid for the journey. Knowing the wealth of Sri Lankans this not an affordable price for ordinary people. Even the wealthy find it difficult to raise such an amount. Especially people who claim to have lost everything. The payment looks like an investment for unending future returns in a comfortable life in the West.
All points to economic migration.
Your slanderous article suggests that the refusal for your entry in to Sri Lanka is justified.
Would also like you to list names of "dozens" of journalists killed or dissappeared each year during the last few years as claimed by you.
Bob.... you retain them.
If you want more of them please indicate as we shall be pleased to despatch another load.
At least some Sri lamkams can have hope of having a better life and we don't have to bother much about the dwindled population of tamils in the North.
If you need any tamils from Wellawatte, Kotahena & Wattala or even the from the estate sector as they too are tamils, we shall be pleased to acceed to your request.............
BTW, glad to note that you are a Fonseka fan as well.
get ready Bob for the day you will have to fall on your knees to apologise to the true canadian People.
Till then, keep those knees strong.
Yours truly,
Sri lanka
Rt.Hon Bob Rae I salute you, I am sure all right thinking people what ever their race may be, will be thankful to you for speaking out your mind and truth. Let us ask the question why are these Tamils risking their lives to travel in a rickerty ships on high sea and for months? How do they manage to escape the Srilankan Army and Navy security ring round the Island to board these ships. Don't you think the Srilankan government has a hand it? From what I have heard and read, There is still severe harassment and threat to the Tamils living in Northeast and Colombo. Kidnapping, ransom demands, extrajudicial killings are at rampent on Tamil community. President Mahinda's brothers[cabinet ministers] are indirectly involed along with the Tamil ministers. Yesterday two business men were stabbed in Jaffna by masked men in a high security area. The Post war has is no sign of real peace for Tamil people. The Armed Security forces and Tamil Ministers Paramilitary groups are on the rampage. All these have culminated in risking their lives to get away from the hell hole. They pay heavily to the agents who run this human trafficing business,no doubt they are known to the government, Tamils then have to pay the Army personals to leave the shores. Many People who were in the Camps-post war period were helped to get out by paying large sums of money by their relatives living in the West. Corruption in Srilanka is like the wildfire that engulfed Russia recently.
So in conclusion, one could assume that this Government of Srilanka knows,that these Tamils are sailing.They have milked the Tamils wealth dry,next act is to slander them-Tamils on the boat "as criminals and terrorist" to prevent any countries giving refuge to them. If they are returned then they would be killed to coverup and prevent any informations leaking to the International media.
It is high time, that the International community should verify these activites of Srilankan State, rather than just listen to their misinformations and false propaganda. This is no internal problem,It is an International problem. Therefore it should be in the hands of UN to investgate and provede justice to Tamils. Tamil problem is as old as 62 years, A genocidal problem this,we are sure no one could/or should deny. UN is till 'dily dallying' after the appointment of the panel to advise the UN Secretary general. In the UN security council last June 09,was hoodwinked by Srilanka. The Gullible states had believed it has irradicated the terrorist group. But these collaborators has not been shown the true nature and intention of the Srilankan state.It was a RACIAL WAR, not a war to eleminate terrorism. State terrorism was unleashed since 1956. During the war 'Banned weapons' were used. In the final days many wounded were buried alive along with the dead. This was horror truth was covered up, by not letting any International or local media/journalist to visit the war zone, only the eye witnesses who were later trapped in the camps gave out these horror discriptions about the crime committed by the security forces. Srilanka is no doubt a "War Criminal". It is still continuing to inflict crime on humanity. Srilankan state uses its academics to bring about her credibility on her false propaganda. Rohan Gunaratna who claims world expert on Terroeism is just a bogus person, even though he has studied, specialised and teaches this subject. He lies for the Srilankan state, We all know how small he was made last year by Canadian lawyers when 76 Tamil refugees landed. It is high time International community should wake up and investigate "Why Tamils are leaving the shores of the Island" if the war is over? So far the Srilankan government has not shown any remose for this brutal war, neither any reconciliation. In the name of 'development' Foreign funds are being diverted to build Army cantonments, Buddhist viharas in every street corners, and Tamil lands confiscated to colonise with Sinhala criminals from the south. Tamils displace due to the war still not given proper housing or allowed to farm or fish. all these acts are to destroy Tamil Identity and keep them under the heals of Jack boots.
Mr.Rae,
Don't take any political risk by saying things in favour of refugees.
Look at the comments and responses on news sites, almost 80% of them are against refugees and immigrants.
Anyway, if you get a chance ask Srilankan High Commissioner the history of Sinhala people. They themselves were boat people arrived in Lanka.
Yes, Vijaya and 700 of his followers were terrorists and therefore deported from India, and arrived in Lanka by boat.
:-)
Less inclined is too mild a term to describe the downturn in relations with a Govt which has lost all credibility and decency. SL Govt continues to expose its tyrannical policies by lying about innocent people.
On the other hand the antics of its MP's Wimal Weerawansa and Mervyn Silva are Kosher for these tyrants.
Then what the hell that so called SRI LANKA's Ambassador for CANADA denied the entry for these refugees. She is a TAMIL by born and still try to return them back to LANKA. What will happen if they return back to LANKA.
Today's government's top priority is to legalized the KP's money through his NGO.
Then who can enjoy with the money. Tamils? No. Then Sinhalese? Partially correct. Then who?
GOOD LUCK!
The Only TOPIC about Sri Lanka that Bob Rae is fit to write about is the condition of our DEPARTURE LOUNGE where he spent a few hours in before his DEPORTATION from our country.
Thank you Bob,
For your understanding and well informed analysis.I hope the authorities in Canada with power will lisin to you and common sense prevail.
Why should these people travel all the way say 10K miles to Canada?
If Sri Lanka is a killing field, why didn't they board a boat and fled to nearby predominantly thamil - TamilNadu in India? That's just less than 50miles.
The motive is clear. These people are hell-bent on securing migration/citizenry in Canada. So that they have better living standards of a 1st world than in Sri Lanka or India. It's a point of exploiting the good offices and humanitarian concerns of Canadians.
Trust the Canadian authorities will wake up. Thousands of Tamil people are now re-building their lives in the North & East of Sri Lanka.
Thank you Bob. Vic Toews is spreading fear among the public by confusing issues. In solving problems first one must separate the issues. Canada has a very effective refugee processing system by which you can deny, deport all who are not worthy to enter Canada. If our system is inadequate this is not the right time to speak about when people's life are claimed to be in danger or threatened. I feel not so confident after hearing our ministers speaches, in my government and the minister that they will take the right decission.
Thank you Bob, for confirming that it's perfectly OK for "refugees" to appear in boatloads in Canada, pre-empting and making a mockery of the immigration process which everyone else has to go through
Perhaps you can also answer why these people saw fit to travel first to Thailand and thence halfway across the planet to Canada (by BOAT when an airplane ride would have been safer and more convenient), AND bypassing a hundred other countries in the process, almost all of which would have been perfectly acceptable as a place of refuge if refuge was indeed their need all along.
The Sri Lankan Government, the liberators of the Tamil people forced the UN and the international community to get out of Vanni because they wanted to liberate the people from the clutches of the LTTE . The UN and the NGO’s were not helping the government to defeat the LTTE. It asked the desperate to come to no- fire zones. The people in hope came to those zones to be obliterated. The no-fire zones became the killing fields.
Now some of the men women and children who found other ways of escaping this onslaught are trying to flee to far away from the country so that they can really be safe. The Liberators of Tamil people are demanding that these terrorists be returned. What does the Government of Sri Lanka want to do with the men women and children? Re-settle them beside the army camps! The Sri Lankan Government has to still account for so many people they liberated.
I saw in one of the articles that the Canadian Immigration laws are lax. There is nothing wrong in lex being lax if the makers and the administrators really understand the purpose of the laws.
Suresh Manickavasagar’s case comes to my mind. The then foreign minister, the Savior and protector of Sri Lanka’s name in the international community responded to an inquiry as to what would happen to Mr. Manickavasar if he is returned to Sri Lanka. He is supposed to have said that he (Suresh) would be questioned by the Sri Lankan authoritities under the law. The Supreme Court of Canada understanding that the Sri Lankan Laws are not lax wrote a good decision. We know what happened in Mr. Manckavasar’s case and he is still in Canada.
These men women and children if it is ascertained that they have really fled from Sri Lanka they are the witnesses who can be helpful to the UN panel of experts. The famous sons of Sri Lanka have reason to be anxious that the international justice will very soon catch up with them. The Rajapakse brother’s can run but they cannot hide.
The Canadian security agencies are capable of and fully equipped of properly investigating and finding out the truth. The refugee process although slow will be just and fair.
The Singhalese and some of the Tamils will be thinking that they have duped the process and the refusgee system or the immigration laws. The men and women who chair the panel look far beyond the law. They look at the human aspect of the law. If one want to know about the laxity of the Immigration law I will ask them to look at the Federal Court decisions on the Immigration legislation. One of the accusations in Mr. Manickavasagar’s case was that the lawyers who represented him were abusing the system. All these questions were properly answered in the Supreme Court Decision.
Will Sri Lankan Government invite or allow the Canadian security agencies if one is requested, to do a follow up investigation of these men women and children in Sri Lanka, giving the agencies very liberal access to complete their job?
50,000 Canadian Dollars per head multiplied by 500 is not small change.
How can poor war refugees get their hands on this sort of money.
If the reports from Canada are correct, their main suspicion is that the Diaspora coughed out the funds to pay the human traffickers.
There are thousands of refugees coming to countries like Australia on an annual basis. These refugees are chosen by the UN and have languished in UN camps for many many years.
On the other hand there are the "boat refugees" who stay in 2 or 3 star accommodation in countries like Indonesia and Thailand waiting for the Smugglers to arrange transport.
If Bob Ray can't differentiate between the two that is his prerogative.
The general public in countries like Australia is getting annoyed by the que jumping of these "well to do boat refugees".
I guess the feeling among the Canadian public is not different.
Thanks Bob.
What we are seeing is the symptom of the disease.It would be better for the Govt of Canada to get to the very root of the problem, which is the harassment,
persecution and the discrimination of the Tamils by the Sinhala majoritarian chauvinist Govt of Sri Lanka.The Canadian Govt should bring pressure on the Sinhala Govt to treat Tamils as equal citizens without branding them as "terrorists" to collect political mileage . Failure to do this will result in more refugees coming to Canada.
Canadian Tamils know well those in the boat are LTTE operatives and their families because no one have such amount of money to pay for the human traffickers except LTTE mafia!
Sofar no media said anything about the ownership of the vessal used for this episode. I hear that a TAMIL captain was in the ship and it was modified for human habitation somewhere.
Under the maritime regulation it is impossible for a cargo ship to be modified as a human carrying ship without the knowledge of the owners.
I hope the ship was used by the LTTE for carrying their deadly cargo.
Bob, What are your affiliations with Tamil Organizations in Ontario, which were accused of supporting terrorism.