The United Nations Refugee Agency is looking at changing its international protection guidelines for Sri Lankan and Afghan asylum seekers. The changes would pave the way for Australia to send many more of the detainees on Christmas Island back to where they started. The Tamil Association is urging against any change to the guidelines, saying it’s no safer for Tamils in Sri Lanka. From Canberra, Alexandra Kirk reports.

“There is still 100- to 150,000 Tamils being held in military run camps in the north and the fact that there’s about another 10- to 15,000 Tamils being held in undisclosed areas where there are allegations of rape and torture that have been continuing for more than a year. I do not believe that the guidelines should be relaxed. Sri Lanka is still a very dangerous country for Tamil civilians regardless of whether they’re from the north, whether they’re from the east or anywhere on the island.” – Dr Sam Pari, National Spokesperson, Australian Tamil Congress

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Outside of the conflict zone, the overwhelming majority of victims of human rights violations, such as extrajudicial killings and disappearances, were young male Tamils…[and] observers linked the government closely to paramilitary groups believed responsible for serious human rights violations…

There were also reports of secret government facilities where suspected LTTE sympathizers were taken, tortured, and often killed…

The government required Tamils who wished to move within the country, especially those Tamils living in Jaffna, to obtain special passes issued by security forces…

Security forces at army checkpoints in Colombo frequently harassed Tamils. After the government assumed effective control of the east, both the government and the TMVP operated checkpoints that impeded the free movement of residents, especially Tamils…

Tamils throughout the country, but especially in the conflict-affected north and east, reported frequent harassment of young and middle-aged Tamil men by security forces and paramilitary groups…

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Canada has asked Sri Lanka to start talks and the reconciliation process with the Tamil groups, saying such a step is crucial for lasting peace in the country.

“After 30 years of war, reconciliation is crucial for lasting peace in Sri Lanka. Canada awaits to see what steps the Government of Sri Lanka will take towards this reconciliation,” Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, told Sri Lanka’s new High Commissioner Chitranganee Wagiswara during a meeting.

“Canada urges the government of Sri Lanka for an early safe return and resettlement of the approximately 100,000 individuals who remain displaced,” Obhrai said.

He said: “Canada is encouraged by the return of close to 160,000 internally displaced persons to their homes.”

Obhrai pointed out that Canada encourages the government of Sri Lanka to allow access by NGOs and the media to camps and resettlement areas and to continue to pursue effective coordination with humanitarian agencies and donors. “It is high time that the government of Sri Lanka lift the state of emergency as that the conflict is over,” he said. Obhrai told the High Commissioner that Sri Lanka remains a priority for Canada.

USTPAC joined the world community in celebrating the International Women’s Day on March 8th, but on a sad note, wishes to highlight the continued suffering of Tamil women in North-East Sri Lanka.

The Star – Fiorito: Ship-bound Tamil refugees need help

What happens there happens here: a small wooden boat is sitting at anchor off the coast of Indonesia. It has been there for five months. On board are some 240 people who cannot come ashore for fear of arrest and deportation.

They are Tamils.

Five months on a boat meant for 50. You can imagine. No, you can’t.

THE United Nations is reviewing its refugee guidelines for Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in a move that could see the Federal Government deny protection claims for the majority of asylum seekers heading to Australia.

Radio Australia News – Tamil detainees sent back as situation improves

Australian Immigration Minister Chris Evans says the government is sending more Tamil asylum seekers back to their country as the situation improves in Sri Lanka.

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) is looking at changing its international protection guidelines for Sri Lankan and Afghan asylum seekers as those countries become safer.

The changes would pave the way for more detainees in Australia’s Christmas Island holding camps to be returned to their country.

“It is true that we have recently provided more advice to our decision-makers about the improvement of the situation in Sri Lanka.”

General Sarath Fonseka, the former Sri Lankan army chief arrested last month, will face a court martial next week on three charges, but not for plotting a coup as expected, officials announced yesterday.

ABC Online – Sri Lanka’s former army chief to face trial

The Hindu – Fonseka to be tried on Mar 16 and 17

Hindustan Times – Fonseka to face court martial next week

Retuers India – Sri Lanka to try former army chief next week

AFP – SLanka’s former army chief ‘to face three charges’

Two Afghan and a Sri Lankan were among ten women to receive the prestigious International Women of Courage Awards for the year 2010 in recognition of their contributions in fighting discrimination and advancing human rights.

Business Standard – South Asia set to see a surge in Chinese tourists

The demand for chopsticks and chow mein is going to rise in South Asia! China’s globe-trotting tourists are arriving by the thousands. The just-concluded Chinese Lunar New Year holiday saw a surge in tourist arrivals from China in India and around India.

Sify – US reports rights violations in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka violated human rights last year as it dealt a final blow to Tamil Tiger insurgents and clamped down on media freedom, the US State Department said Thursday.

AFP – Family fears for missing Sri Lankan cartoonist

Six weeks ago Sri Lankan political writer and cartoonist Prageeth Eknaligoda went missing, and his fate has raised further concerns about the island’s culture of violence against the media.

Times of India (10/03) - Jaipur Foot takes off to Lanka

The demand for Jaipur foot is fast growing in foreign countries. Around 1,500 foot have been demanded by Sri Lanka and Senegal in Africa.

Refugee advocates have staged a rally in the eastern Australian city of Sydney to mark 150 days since a boat load of asylum seekers moored in Indonesia.

About 50 protesters gathered today outside the Prime Minister’s Sydney office.

Greens MP Sylvia Hale says the government has turned a blind eye to the 230 Tamils still onboard the boat moored at the port of Merak.

“Allow those Tamil refugees to proceed to Australia. ”

Ian Rintoul, from the Refugee Action Coalition, says conditions aboard the ship are getting worse – including a recent outbreak of chicken pox.

“There’s simply ongoing problems with getting proper medical attention,” he said.

The ship has been moored since October when it was intercepted by the Indonesian navy on the way to Australia. More

China Worker  (10/03)- “Australian government should act to end this suffering now” – “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung at 10 March demonstration

150 days on a cramped, squalid boat. That is the ordeal faced by 254 refugees from Sri Lanka stranded in the Javanese port of Merak. The Merak refugees have become a political football between the political leaders of Australia and Indonesia, who were also meeting on 10 March, as rights campaigners staged protests around the world to demand speedy action to restore the basic right to asylum to the refugees.