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What is the international definition of terrorism?  The US definition states that terrorism is “premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents.”  The key word here is ‘noncombatant”.  Although the label of terrorists on basically all groups could be called into question, today, a ray of light needs to be shed on the situation in Sri Lanka.

The Tamil Tigers are considered a terrorist group by India, America, the EU, and Canada.  But are they?  Aren’t they the literal definition of freedom fighters?  The Tigers are the revolutionary group, started in the 1980’s with the purpose of seceding from Sri Lanka, formerly known a Ceylon.  Tamil is a separate ethnic group within the country, that has been trying to secede from the country.  They are separatists, fine, but terrorists, no.  A separate state was proposed back in 1976.

The Tamils want a small portion of the north and east of Sri Lanka, to form an independent nation, Tamil Eelam, ruled by their people, for their interests.  The fighting has been going on for decades, but over the past year it has been an all out year.  Virtually no media is allowed into the country, banned by the Sri Lankan government, and there is scant international presence at all.  There are camps outside of the conflict zone where some civilians are staying  According to the UN, 186,000 are housed in camps, 1,700 who are severely wounded are in hospitals, and 50,000 more are within the conflict area.  Yesterday was the day everyone in the international community feared, the day they did nothing to prevent - hundreds of innocent people died in one blood bath.  The numbers range from around 600, to a body count of 1,200, with at least 100 children.  According to the Tigers, the government basically went on a campaign of aerial bombing and heavy artillery fire.  The government says the Tigers turned on their own people and are responsible for the killing.

The number of civilian casualties is unknown, and the circumstances are unclear, but the burden of proof rests on those who will not allow an international presence.  It is hard to believe that this was anything other than the military trying to end this conflict once and for all before the next elections, as not everyone supports the violence.  But because many western nations allow the Tigers to fall under the umbrella term of terrorists, the voice in defense of the Tamil Tigers is silenced.  

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