| Home | Bookmark | Tell | Active petitions in over 75 countries | Follow GoPetition |
Petition Tag - forces
1. Support pensions for pre-1975 veterans 
People who served in the armed forces and left before 1975 are not entitled to a pension.
This is an injustice as they have made a valuable contribution to the security of this country.
2. Reinstate "pips and crowns" for Canadian Army officers
Prior to Unification in 1968, Canada's Army officers wore the traditional "pips and crowns" for ranks from second lieutenant to general.
Upon Unification, the Army (or Mobile Command as it became known) wore generic bars, the same as the Navy and Air Force.
3. For Cardiff City to start discounted ticket prices for members of the armed forces
The members of the armed forces provide safety for this county and they also risk there lives on the front line so why should they have to pay full price for season tickets especially when they get bad pay (mostly).
4. Petition for all to have RAMP CEROMONIES
Petition for all to have RAMP CEROMONIES.
See also http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Soldiers-on-Duty/
5. Petition Congress To Make A Breach Of Contract With Military A Felony
This petition is written due to the controversy concerning the U.S. Appeals Court decision Allowing Dr. Mary Hanna, a Boston-based physician to legally breach a contract to serve in the Army as a medical officer on the grounds claiming that she is a conscientious objector.
Dr. Hanna accepted fully paid medical education scholarship from the Army and in exchange for receiving that scholarship signed a contract and gave her promise to give 8 years of service to military even after being given a promise by the Army that she would only be ordered to serve on staff as a physician in a military base hospital in Texas, she still refused to report to active duty.
6. Support the Movement for the Year of Canadian Forces' Families
The CDS has asked the Canadian Government to declare 2007 as the Year of the Canadian Military Family. They should be recognized as the Strength behind the Canadian Forces Service Personnel
7. STOP LTTE CRIMES AGINST PRISONERS OF WAR IN LTTE DEATH CHAMBERS IN SRI LANKA
SRI LANKA ARMED FROCES RELIEF FOUNDATION
WAR CRY FOR PEACE (INT.EXHIBITION) SRI LANKA
slafrf@juno.com
Co/139.92
SRI LANKA/W.FRICA/CHINA/USA
WE HEREBY APPEAL FROM INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO SIGN THE BELOW PETION TO BRING THE JUSTICE TO ALL THE MILITARY AND CIVIL PRISONERS OF WAR NOW IN LTTE CUSTODY.
THE LTTE HAS CAPTURED MANY ARMED FORCES AND CIVILIANS DURING PAST 20 YEARS WAR IN SRI LANKA.MOST OF THESE PRISONERS WERE KILLED OR DETAINED, TOTURED AND FROCED FOR LABOUR.
IT IS REPORTED THE LTTE HAS NUMEROUS TOTIRE CHAMBERS AND EITHER ICRC OR THE UNHCR ON ANY OTHER HUMANITARIAN OR HUMAN RIGHT ORGANIZATIONS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO VISIT, THE POW IN LTTE CUSTODY.LTTE IS TRYING TO WIN THE HEARTS OF THE INTERNATIONA L COMMUNITY FOR FAKE EELAM AND FREEDON FIGHT FOR TAMILS BUT THOUSNADS OF TAMILS, SINHALEES, MUSLIMS WERE TORTURED AND KILLED BY LTTE IN THEIR TOTURE CHAMBERS. WE URGE IINTERNATIONL COMMUNITY TO SIGN THIS PETITION AND SUPPORT TO LIBERATE THESE POWS AND BRING THEM BACK TO THEIR LOVED ONCE.
WE SPECIALLEY APPEAL FROM THE SRI LANKAN COMMUNITY AND ARM ED FORCES PERSONALS TO SIGN THIS PETIION TO BRING FREEDOM FOR YOUR FELLOW BROTHERS.
Sri lanka Armed Forces Relief Foundation
8. STOP LTTE CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN IN SRI LANKA
To the FOREIGN MISSIONS,UNITED NATIONS, ICC, ICJ INTERNATIONAL CHILD RIGHT AND HUMAN RIGHT ORGANIZATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND EVRY PARNETS WHO CARE AND LOVE FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR RIGHTS
DEAR OFFICIALS,FRIENDS AND PARENTS
We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned that, according to recent reports, The Tamil Gurrillas the LIBERATION TIGERS OF SRI LANKA continue to recrut or using children as soldiers, or are at serious risk of doing so. The United Nations Security Council,the UNESCO and the International community repetadly ask the LTTE stop use of children in the ongoing armed conflict in Sri Lnka but after the recent fall of the peace accord the LTTE has announced that they will continue to use children in their gurrillas suits to fight against the Armed forces, the dissapearance of the children increasing and you attention and immeidate action need to stop the LTTE CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN in Sri Lanka and which your state is a member, has taken decisive action to end this practice.
However, to date, your government has not yet ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, an essential step toward stopping child recruitment.
We urge your government to ratify the Optional Protocol, without reservations and to setting 18 as the minimum age for all forms of military recruitment, as an essential step toward ending the use of children as soldiers.
Seanaka Perera
CEO-Sri Lanka Armed Forces Relief Foundation
WAR CRY FOR PEACE (EXHIBITIOJN)SRI LANKA
9. PROSECUTE LTTE FOR CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN
For the last 2 decdes LTTE alias LIBERATIONTIGER OS TAMIL EELAM Terrorsist group in Sri Lanka practise of force, abduct children in the North and East and traina gainst their will in their camps for various Terrorists attacks in Sri Lanka and overseas.The estimated childrens been kidnapped over 5000 for last 2 deacdes bby the LTTE.
Most of these children are between ages of 10 to 18 and bothe Male and Femals. Some children around age 10 has been train in isolated campse for suside missions for LTTE. These camps name as ROSE GARDEN where children lived in a isoltaed camps forbidden to enter for many. Today due to the lack of man power LTTE use children to fight with the Armed Forces.and also use as child slaves in their camps in the Wanni region in SRi Lanka.
It is very unfortuante thet the UN or the ICRC failed to resuce these childrens.
Thje parents are afraid of ther lives cannot raise their voicre against LTTE crimes agiant children in combast,UN have any clue or geniune intrest to activly invetigate this crimes but just was bale to made statments and send envoyes time to time for nothing,we belive the sri lankan community AND iNTERNATRIONAL community can make a push to build up immidate action against LTTE and bring them to INTERNATIONAL COURTS OF JUSTICE and punish them for their continue crimes against childrens in Sri Lanka.We also planing to offer a rehab programme for children esacpe from LTTE slave camps and you can write to us if you like to contribute your donations.
SRI LANKA ARMED FORCES RELIEF FOUNDATION
slafrf@juno.com
10. Amateur Radio License Fee Exemption
A petition to register support for the exemption from the Annual Australian Amateur Radio License fees, for all serving and ex Defense Forces personnel.
11. BBC's lack of credibility and partiality in reports of Sri Lankan affairs
To: Editors of the BBC
We the Tamils are disheartened and hurt by the BBC's covering of the issues pertaining to the island of Sri Lanka. The issues mentioned below are in response to reports on the www.news.bbc.co.uk website and BBC News 24.
These include but not limited to:
1.Massacre of civilians in a bus using claymore mines, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
The BBC's Sri Lankan correspondent, Dumeethra Luthra reported on the massacre of innocent civilians in a claymore mine attack in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka and the ensuing aerial attacks by the Sri Lankan government on Tamil positions on BBC News 24 (the video link of the same report on the website is titled 'Why air strikes have been resumed' in the article 'S Lanka air force steps up raids').
In this report she states that the LTTE is "the Key candidate" for this atrocity. She fails to mention the Sri Lankan State forces that have been accused by the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission of extra judicial killings of innocent Tamil civilians in the NE of the island.
As of the 24th of May over 190 Tamil civilians have been killed since the first Geneva talks held on the 22-23 of February 2006. The GOSL (Government of Sri Lanka) has a history of orchestrating violence against the Tamil civilians (1956, 1958, 1977, 1981 and 1983 anti-Tamil riots).
The LTTE for its part has been accused of targeting Government soldiers but has not been accused of targeting innocent civilians.
The LTTE has strongly denied the allegation of the claymore attack on the bus and has nothing to gain from this horrendous and disturbing attack targeting civilians.
Why doesn't the Sri Lankan correspondent question the motive for the LTTE to have committed this attack?
Why doesn't the Sri Lankan correspondent assess the beneficiaries of this massacre?
It is the GOSL and/or the elements opposed to peace that benefit from this massacre of innocent civilians.
The Tamils and the LTTE have been further unjustly isolated in the international arena, by the recent proscription of the LTTE as a terrorist group by Canada and the EU. This has emboldened the GOSL to continue the genocide of the Tamils in the hope of subjugating the Tamils abandoned by the international community.
2.Down-playing/Sugar-coating of Government atrocities against innocent Tamil civilians
Initial versions of the report titled "Fresh Sri Lanka clashes kill many" accuses the LTTE of the attack against the Sri Lankan navy and quoted the Sri Lankan Navy accusing the LTTE for the grenade attack on the Mannar church in yesterday's fighting.
The updated version of the same report mentions with ambiguity the Mannar church attack but fails to mention who was involved in the attack.
The reader is left with the impression that the 'non-state' actor (in this case the LTTE) that 'allegedly' initiated the naval attack is responsible for the atrocity on the civilians in the church.
With eyewitness accounts and the presence of an international aid worker, the BBC reports that the Sri Lankan forces attacked the Mannar church in the article titled "Sri Lankan forces 'hit church' ".The report goes on to say that the government denied this but said that the church was "caught in the crossfire". However, it fails to say that the GOSL had initially insisted that it was the work of the LTTE.
Here again the BBC sugar-coats the government atrocity, which was a deliberate NOT 'accidental' attack using a grenade and live gunfire on the 200 or so Tamil civilians seeking refugee in the church. One person was widely reported as killed and many injured.
These sorts of crimes targeting civilians seeking refuge in churches and temples were a common occurrence during the war. The Tamils in the NE are faced with these atrocities even during times of peace with the help of censors of the international media.
3.Tamils from the NE of the island faced with the fear of being victims of state genocide are fleeing in the thousands from the government controlled areas to LTTE controlled areas and to India. The BBC when reporting on the fleeing Tamil civilians refers to the victims as Sri Lankans giving the impression that the Sinhalese are also fleeing. This is NOT true. The people seeking refuge in India and LTTE controlled areas are all Tamil victims.
4.It is also very disheartening to note that the BBC has turned a blind eye to the mass demonstrations, by tens of thousands of Tamils around the globe, against the genocide of Tamils by the Sri Lankan government.
5.It is also very sad to note that articles such as the "Sri Lankan forces 'hit church'" that refers to the Sri Lankan forces' attack on the innocent civilians in the church are only short lived in the South Asia section of the website (It was published at 1:08 GMT on the 18th of June and archived well within 8hrs).
As you have stated in your article titled "Sri Lanka: Truth, bias and the BBC " the news of the Tamil struggle published on the international media especially the BBC (given its presence in Sri Lanka ) are paramount in the midst of FALSE propaganda being issued by the government of Sri Lanka.
12. Where is freedom of speech in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus?
Open letter from the Community of Global Defenders of Truth, Justice, Peace and Tolerance:
The modern world is crying with blood and tears for a universal and sincere recognition of these values. Are not these values enshrined in the Holy Quran and the teachings of our beloved Prophet (saw)?
Over the last 50 years (half a century!) no single human being has supported and defended these values more ardently than the Most Venerable Sheikh ul Islam Muhammed Nazim Adil Haqqani.
He was born in Cyprus and brought up and educated in a great tradition of learning and practice by some of the greatest saintly scholars of Islam, in the last century. In his mission to serve the Almighty Allah Ta'ala, Sheikh Nazim has traveled the world to communicate the message of Truth from the shores of California in the west to those of Japan in the east, and from the confines of the Caucasus in the North to the perimeter of the southern seas in South Africa. His 25 years (1975-2000)of observance of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Britain, the nightly celebration of Teravih prayers in London, and endless weeks of lecturing, advice and support to countless number of adherents to the faith of Islam, and to non-Muslims, are all testimony to a remarkable life dedicated to preaching Truth, Justice, Peace and Tolerance.
Having now returned to his native Cyprus he continues to dedicate whatever remains of his life to serving the cause of Allah Ta'ala as before. Recent events in TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) regarding the harassment of Sheikh Nazim are deplorable to say the least. His weekly newsletter- one sided A4 printout, 40-50 in number- has worried the TRNC police (in TRNC police forces are under the military forces of mainland Turkey and not the local government minister) so much so that they confiscated a computer on 22-03-2006 and they are now running a full scale investigation which will lead to the prosecution of Sheikh Nazim for allegedly acting against the TRNC!
The message given out in Sheikh Nazim's leaflets do not carry any material that threatens national security or is inflammatory and likely to produce an upheaval. They are simple guidance calling on all people to recognize their creator and not to neglect their duty to Him. The forces responsible for this unfortunate behavior are acting independently of the democratic government of the TRNC.
The government of the TRNC is democratically elected and the whole world has followed with intent the evolution of democracy on mainland Turkey and the TRNC. It is a great credit to the people of these lands that they act as a beacon of democracy to the rest of the Muslim world, which is at present caught up in the throes of change.
The personality and standing of Sheikh Nazim is undoubtedly linked to the march towards freedom and peace of this important geographical and strategic region of the globe. It is sad to note that those who want to hamper this natural evolution of events leading to the welfare and prosperity of society misunderstand the essence of Sheikh Nazim's message.
After more than a century of official atheism, crass materialism, capitalism -you name it- human society across the world inspite of severe dislocations to- day seem to be poised to recognize the role of his creator in his worldly affairs. Many heads of state and government across the world do not hesitate to express publicly their belief in and worship of God.
The message of Sheikh Nazim is pure and simple, namely : Acknowledge Allah Ta'ala as your creator and Master first and the rest will follow. Let government and society show allegiance to the Lord Almighty- the fall out of a sincere and genuine faith in Him can but lead to peace, prosperity and happiness not only in this physical world but most importantly in the next world after death.
No amount of improvement in economic, scientific and technological progress etc is likely to bring peace to a world in dire need of it when this important criterion of Belief in Allah Ta'ala is missing in human affairs.
Sheikh Nazim is highly respected by both governments on the island of Cyprus as an exponent for peace. His role in the last referendum for unification of Cyprus was crucial in enabling the TRNC to project a worldwide and unique image of tolerance. This tolerance in fact is a national characteristic of the TRNC people.
We call on the police and the Turkish military presence in the TRNC to reconsider their position in the light above. May Allah Ta'ala help them to do so.
This open letter is being sent to President and Prime Minister of TRNC, the UN Secretary General and also being supported as a petition on the web site
President of TRNC
info@kktc-cb.org fax:+90(392) 227 22 52
Prime Minister of TRNC e mail : info@kktcbasbakanlik.org fax : +90(392) 227 72 25
February 18, 2006
This is a petition for all the victims of drink spiking and drug rape.
If you realised your situation in time and were able to seek safety we still need your signatures. If you were not able to do this as you didn't realise what was happening, we need your signatures too.
Hopefully this petition will be strong enough to send to parliment, to police forces, to judges and to medical staff. To make them realise just how often this crime is happening.
As the home office and police forces have no figures on this crime, it is unknown how many people have suffered in silence.
"Statistical Update: July 2004
The latest breakdown of British survivors of the crime of drug related rape and sexual abuse through having their drinks spiked, as reported to the Roofie Foundation via their Help-line is as follows -
Drug Rape & Sexual Abuse Total Figures = 6,008" www.roofie.com
"One in four women say they have had a drink spiked in a club or pub."
"In the past five years, only 15 men have been convicted of the crime." http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1300147,00.html
Please help to put an end to what is seen to be the "Perfect Crime".
Thank you.
Roofie.com
The Roofie Foundation - established 1997 - Britain's only specialised agency dealing with the issues surrounding drug rape and sexual abuse. Originators of a help-line that provides a one-stop-shop information service for victims of drug rape & sexual abuse caused through drink spiking.
24 hour help line - 0800 783 2980
14. EA-Games - boosterpacks should be free
January 12, 2005
EA-Games wants us to pay for everything!
It started with Battlefield 2, which is normal "It's a complete game", then came a MOD. Battlefield 2 costs $44,95 (according to Amazon.com)
1st of all let me explain what a MOD is,
meaning of a mod according to wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mod_%28computer_gaming%29
* a mod is a Partial conversion of a game.
* you need to buy the original game to make use of the mod.
* mod's are mostly free because u have to buy the game.
(although mod-makers can ask for a fee to support them)
There are a lot of good mod's for Battlefield 2 coming out these days, all free work. But HARD work, hard work due to the community.
And what does the community ask for it, u get it NOTHING. They just want respect from the gaming community.
Well I say they get our respect.
And then comes EA-games, trying to profit from everything they get there hands on.
So they bring out Battlefield 2 :Special Forces which costs $29,99.
https://account.ea.com/commerce/product-info.jsp?ipath=15&locale=en_US&sls=2&site=eaco&prodid=BF2-MAP&skin=bf2map&app=commerce
(have to admit it's worth the buy, but it's STILL a mod)
And now they want to bring out 2 new Boosterpacks $9.99 each.
(my wallet has run off underneath my bed, screaming this is 2 much)
Info on boosterpacks
http://www.ea.com/official/battlefield/battlefield2/us/editorial.jsp?src=communityupdate_011106
Well im FED up with sponsoring Electronic (banking) Arts!
Do the math
Battlefield 2 $ 44,95
Special Forces $ 29,99
Boosterpack (2times)$ 19,98
____________________________+
grand total of $ 94,92
And that's a lot of money WE pay EA.
(Not all to EA but also to developers)
people sign this petition if u agree
thx community
15. Combat Veterans Tuition Waiver
Young Men and Women are sent to war protecting the "American Values" Their hope is to return home and reintergrate and pick up where they left off. Soon these young enlisted men and women find themself fighting another personal battle; how to intergrate and how to complete their Education.
This petition request that the State Of Florida takes care of these veterans before they become homeless.
16. LTTE is not a Terrorist Group
LTTE is a powerful organization fighting for the rights of Tamil people. More than 500,000 Tamil people have fleed from the Srilankan Island because of the discrimination by the Government. More than 70000 innocent people have been killed by the goverment forces. Many Church, Schools, Temples and Homes were demolished by the srilankan air forces.
This makes the youngsters to fight for their rights against the government. There are more than 17000 martyers who had laid there lives for the freedom of Tamil people. The World should understand the fact and support the right side. Now most of the countries in the world have came to know what is realy happening in Srilanka. But some countries who say they are the leaders know the fact but they don't want to solve the problems because if the whole world is at peace they don't have a place to sell their arms.
We request the government of Canada to get involve in the problem and to support the Human rights of Tamil People.
We know that Canada is beautiful and peace loveing country to live. The government should understand that more than 300000 Tamil people have came to Canada because something is seriously happening on their side.
17. Close state universities in Poland
Polish universities have a dark past in extortion and of slave labour by communists at today by armed
forces. Currently they interfere
with private university operations.
This petition is to close all polish public higher institutions of education.
18. A tournament room for Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II on the MSN Gaming Zone
A Tournament Room to be added to Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2 on the MSN Gaming Zone. (www.zone.com)
The cowardly heads on the United Nations Security Counsel threaten the stability of the Entire Middle East, as well as countless lives of the international coalition bent on rebuilding Iraq, by not supporting the rebuilding process. Not only will they not support any effort to help the coalition help the Iraqis, the UN sends the message to Iraqis and Arabs alike that the allies are the 'enemies'.
Behind this madness sits France, Germany, and Russia, who are bent on protecting there own hidden records of arms shipments to Iraq and lucrative oil deals, instead of doing the right thing. It no longer matters if you supported this war effort, the goal now is to bring peace and stability to the region, and route out the terrorists! The coalition needs help, help the UN won't give! Because of the cowardliness of the UN Security counsel, the following have happened;
2 November: 16 US soldiers die as Chinook helicopter downed
27 Oct: Red Cross and other buildings in Baghdad bombed, more than 30 killed
12 Oct: Baghdad Hotel bombed, six dead
9 Oct: Police station in Baghdad bombed, 10 killed
29 Aug: Mosque near Najaf bombed, dozens dead including Shia Islam's top cleric in Iraq
19 Aug: UN headquarters in Baghdad bombed, 23 killed including head of mission
7 Aug: Jordanian Embassy bombed, 14 killed
The UN was in Iraq for a short time, but withdrew after a Bombing at there headquarters! Remember that peace isn't free, and not let this situation be another Mogadishu! Let us convince the UN that helping Iraq is the right thing to do, which it Is!
20. May the hero Dave Hanson be known!
During the event of D-Day, The allied forces went on the beach of Omaha which we all know was the turning point of the war for Europe. But there was one hero who went unsung and his name was "Dave Hanson"!
Dave Hanson was a skillful sniper who won the day and the war for the allied forces. He single handedly (with the assistance of 2 other losers who won't be named because they're not good enough) put a stop to the plans of the evil captain Hicks! But sadly his name isnt praised through out history books like it should. So please sign so everyone can know the name of the legendary hero of D-Day, Dave Hanson
21. Tamils fighting for freedom are not terrorists
Tamils fighting for freedom are not terrorists [ Ottawa Citizen Canada ] [ 20:07 GMT, Jun. 14, 2000 ]
By: Karen Parker
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or LTTE, is not a " terrorist" organization, but rather an armed force in a war against the government of Sri Lanka. Characterization of the LTTE as a "Terrorist" organization is politically motivated, having no basis in law or fact.
There is a war in Sri Lanka. The LTTE are organized militarily, with a military commander and military chain of command. The LTTE uses traditional, modern military weaponry in its combat against the military forces of the government of Sri Lanka. The LTTE uses a variety of military tactics, including open warfare, raids or guerrilla warfare. The government armed forces use similar military means against the armed forces of the LTTE. Most armies in the past 200 years have utilized essentially the same tactics. The war in Sri Lanka may be characterized as a civil war or war of national liberation in the exercise of the right to self-determination. A civil war exists if there is armed conflict inside one country between government armed forces and at least one other force having an identifiable command and having sufficient control over territory to carry out "sustained" and "concerted" military action and the practical capacity to fulfill humanitarian law obligations. The LTTE has clearly met this test for more than 10 years.
A war of national liberation exists if armed conflict exists between the armed forces of a government against the armed forces of a people that has the right to self-determination. The war in Sri Lanka is a war of national liberation because Tamil people have the right to self-determination. This is because the Tamil people, the original inhabitants of the north and east of the island of Ceylon, had their own state complete and separate from the Sinhala state prior to colonization by the British. The Tamil people, primarily Hindu, and secondarily Christian and Muslim, speak their own language and have their own traditions and customs. The Sinhala people are primarily Buddhist, and secondarily Christian and their traditions and customs reflect that heritage.
With the forced unitary rule, first as a result of colonization and then under the post-colonial Sinhala majority rule, the Tamil people were increasingly threatened. In the late 1970s, after nearly 30 years of attempted peaceful resolution to profound differences, the Tamil people began forming armed defense forces. At present, Tamil forces are consolidated in the LTTE, which continues to defend Tamil areas in a war against the Sinhala government's armed forces, "home guards" and other armed entities.
If the war in Sri Lanka is a civil war, outside states are required to be neutral- a civil war is by definition an internal affair of a state. This is known as the duty of neutrality. If the war is a war of national liberation, outside states are required to support the side with the self-determination claim- the Tamil side. This is because of the jus cogens nature of the right to self-determination. This does not mean another state must provide direct aid to the Tamil armed force. However, the other states must not engage in any activity with the Sinhala government that in any way undermines the realization of self-determination by the Tamil people.
Both parties to the armed conflict on Ceylon violate the rules of armed conflict or humanitarian law. However, the mere fact that one side or the other violates humanitarian law norms does not deny either the rights or duties of combatant forces. Accordingly, the LTTE may not be called a "terrorist" organization because in the course of the armed conflict, some of its soldiers have violated the rules of armed conflict. In the same light the government cannot be called a "terrorist " state because some of its military operations have violated armed conflict rules. Neither side, of course can be considered to violate humanitarian law for carrying out military actions.
I have noted "condemnation" of the LTTE by the government and others for carrying out military operations not prohibited in humanitarian law. For example, the LTTE shot down number of airplanes and sank a number of ships of the Sri Lankan forces. These are not violations of humanitarian law and therefore are not "terrorist".
I do note, however, the rampant disregard of humanitarian rules by government forces in military operations against hospitals, schools, market places, churches and locations with historical and cultural significance to the Tamil people. I also note the difficulty in establishing the culpable party (ies) in situations where the LTTE has been accused by the government of killing civilians. This is not to say the LTTE has not resorted to killing civilians. However, the fact that the government accuses the LTTE does not mean the LTTE actually carried out the acts in question. The government's rejection of impartial, international fact-finding makes ascertaining the truth ever more difficult.
The international Court of Justice decided that all states have an obligation under Article 1 common to the Geneva Conventions to "ensure respect" for the Geneva Conventions even when not directly or indirectly involved in a conflict. From my point of view, this requirement mandates at least that the international community insist that the government of Sri Lanka allow both humanitarian reliefs to all victims of the conflict and international, impartial fact-finding to take place
Karen Parker, a lawyer specializing in international law and humanitarian rights, has testified on the Tamil conflict before the United Nations and the U.S. Congress. She lives in San Francisco.
Pg:A19 :: Wednesday 14th, 2000
Courtesy : Ottawa Citizen
22. Reduce Age Requirement for Reserve Component Soldiers/Sailors Retirement
This Petition is to allow the reduction of the age cap for reserve component soldiers and sailors who are in the U.S. Armed Forces(Reserve) and National Guard. The current age a retired person must be is 60 years of age. We would like to see the age limit reduced or eleminated. We would also like the funds to be placed in an account that draws intrest so the money can work for us. It is not right that soldiers and sailors who are in a reserve status, be called to active duty at any time, meet all the same training requirments, and not be treated the same when we retire with over 20 years of service. All we want is to be treated the same as the active duty forces. One Army, One Navy, One Air Force, One Corps all the way until the end, not just while on duty.
23. Don't use conventional forces in new Gulf war
This is a petition to USA Congress do not engage in conventional war against Iraq. In case of the estimate of real nuclear threat use nuclear weapons.
The only purpose of this war whould be to protect communist forces in
Eastern Europe for liability of slave labour in their military forces.
If Iraq is considered a symbolic state under Russian orders to weaken the US economy and creating a real threat of nuclear attack against the US then the US should order nuclear attack against targets otherwise suspected of carring
or producing nuclear weapons under Moscow control. Do not use lives of US solders against technology.
24. Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast Singleplayer SDK
Many people of the Jedi Knight community immensely enjoyed the new single player levels that others had made. Many of this SP levels and missions, such as the infamous Birth of a Mercenary series and Tales of a Mercenary series, as well as many others, sported great things like new weapons from scratch, completely new AI. Not only did this add more variety, it also allowed for level authors to create outstanding missions and atmospheres, such as recreating original Star Wars characters such as Darth Vader (as seen in some Dark Forces levels).
This petition was created to persuade Raven Software and LucasArts Entertainment Company into releasing a full or partial (at least allowing creation of completely new AI) software development kit (SDK) for the public domain. We as the Jedi Knight/Jedi Outcast community believe it would help to increase the "lifespan" of the Jedi Outcast community in the future, as well as increase profits for all developers and publishers involved.
25. Protect Alternative Tamil Opinion & Democracy
Protect Alternative Tamil Opinion & Democracy During the Ceasefire
Introduction
We welcome the ceasefire commencing 25.12.2001 between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE, in order to bring an end to the war caused by the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka.
People of all ethnic communities are yearning that both parties should continue to extend this ceasefire and hold talks in a responsible manner and with mutual understanding in order to bring a lasting solution to the ethnic problem.
But the LTTE which declared that it was going to cease hostilities from the midnight of 24th December 2001, has committed over 20 human rights violations since the date of its declaration. These violations include murders, abductions, extortions and attacks. But to date, nobody has either expressed concern or criticised the LTTE.
Current Violations by the LTTE
In the Batticaloa District, the LTTE has rounded up certain villages and has forcibly taken away a number of children for arms training. The LTTE has also burnt over 30 houses in the uncleared areas that were vacated by Tamil families who fled in order to safeguard their young children from being taken away by the LTTE.
The LTTE has even taken letters of consent from parents to the effect that they would hand over their children who are now below eight years, when they reach the age for arms training.
In the Jaffna District, the LTTE has started imposing taxes on all commodities. Because of this taxation, the prices of all essential items have increased by at least 15% in Jaffna.
All these incidents show that despite the ceasefire, the LTTE is threatening normality and the lives of the ordinary people living in the North and East.
Previous Ceasefires
When we look back at our past experiences, the Tamil and Muslim people and those who are democratic-minded have welcomed the prospects of ceasefires and peace talks. At the same time, they have been anxious about the terrible experiences that have taken place during those ceasefires and immediately following their breakdown.
In particular, it is undeniable that the LTTE has made use of the situations resulting from ceasefires to intimidate, imprison and kill those who dissent from the LTTE or disagree with its political views.
The reason for such killings is that the ceasefires declared so far have been viewed as those between the armed forces and the LTTE. They have not affected the behaviour of the armed forces towards the Tamil and Muslim people in the Northeast, or the behaviour of the LTTE towards the Tamil and Muslim people living in the Northeast. None of the previous ceasefires have included any clause to safeguard the democratic rights of the ordinary Tamil and Muslim people living in the Northeast and the rights of those who do not wish to live under the rule o the LTTE.
It is due to this reason that the LTTE was able to make use of this period to kill ordinary Tamils and Muslims, or violate their human rights without any hindrance. The Governments, which agreed to ceasefires with LTTE in the past, not only ignored these killings and other violations by the LTTE, but also did nothing to protect these people from the threat of the LTTE, nor take any action to inquire into those killings and punish those who have committed them.
Past Experiences
On 21st September 1989 Dr. Rajani Thiranagama was killed in Jaffna.
During the ceasefire period between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE from 1989 to June 1990, the LTTE had killed hundreds of Tamils in the Eastern Province for their connections with the non-LTTE groups and also those whom they considered as their opponents. Independent Human Rights groups have documented details of those killed.
When the IPKF started withdrawing from the North and East, the LTTE went in to those areas and arrested hundreds of Tamils whom they thought, had acted against them. These incidents had taken place in Amparai, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Vavuniya Mullaitivu, Mannar, Killinochchi and Jaffna Districts.
LTTE even checked the trains and other modes of transport, which came from Jaffna, Batticaloa and Trincomalee and abducted those Tamils on whom they had suspicion. Their whereabouts are not known to date.
Even in Colombo, with the help of the Government Forces, the LTTE arrested those whom they thought were their opponents, took them away, chained in state-owned and privately-owned buses plying between Colombo and Jaffna, and forced them out of the buses at Omantai and Murikandy in the Vanni. The fate that befell them is not known even to date.
And it was during a ceasefire, that the LTTE killed TULF leaders A.Amirthalingam and V.Yogeswaran, and seriously injured M.Sivasithamparam. They also killed Member of Parliament Sam Tambimuttu and his wife, outside the Canadian High Commission in Colombo.
Minister Gamini Dissanayake was killed during the period of exchange of letters relating to a ceasefire with the Government.
Our Demands
The NGOs and the INGOs who have been committed to peace in Sri Lanka and have worked to promote democracy and human rights in the country must pay particular attention to the violations of human rights that continue to take place during ceasefires.
While we agree that all necessary steps should be taken to continue this ceasefire between the Government and the LTTE, we request the government of Sri Lanka and those countries which are paying attention to the ceasefire and political developments in Sri Lanka to ensure that the LTTE does not violate the human rights of the ordinary Tamils and Muslims and those who express views not to the liking of the LTTE.
We urge the Government of Norway that has been engaged in facilitating the talks to pay particular attention to this matter and take necessary action.
We call upon the Government of India, which has always shown a genuine interest and concern for the Tamil speaking people of Sri Lanka, to guide and encourage the Governments of Norway and Sri Lanka in this regard.
The Governments of the USA, UK, Canada and Australia which had banned the LTTE in their own countries and are pushing for the success of the talks between the Government and the LTTE, should maintain their pressure on the LTTE not to violate the rights of the other Tamils and Muslims.
We call upon all the democratically elected Members of the Parliament of Sri Lanka to take up as their duty the protection of the democratic forces within the Tamil and Muslim community and pressure the government to act appropriately in this regard.
Because representatives elected by the Tamil and Muslim people have often been killed in the past, we ask all Members of Parliament to pay attention to this concern. In particular, we draw attention to the constant threat to their lives faced by the fifteen members of the Tamil National Alliance and other Tamil and Muslim Members of Parliament from the Northeast.
As the government and the Tigers are taking preparatory steps to workout a long-term ceasefire agreement and begin peace talks we would stress that particular attention be paid to the above concerns.
The right to life, and other fundamental rights and freedoms are inherent in all human beings. These rights cannot be taken away by governments or any groups to fulfill their own agendas.
01.02.2002
For all contacts: matodmatod@hotmail.com