Tamil groups from around the world, coordinated by the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE), initiated the process of drafting the Freedom Charter, through extensive consultation from Tamils worldwide.
Aspiring to take the Vaddukoddai Resolution forward as the TGTE moves towards realizing its goal, and taking inspiration from Britain’s Ma’gna Car’ta, the Freedom Charter of the African National Congress (ANC) as well as the Palestinian National Charter, the Tamil Eelam Freedom Charter “will enshrine the ‘Freedom Demands’ of the people.” the Prime Minister Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran said.
In the historic city of Lancaster (Pennsylvania, U.S.A) the birth place of Thaddens Stevens, the immortal 19th century egalitarian and a leading champion for the emancipation proclamation, the Prime Minister of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam, Rt . Hon. Viswanathan Rudrakumaran solemnly unveiled the Tamil Eelam Freedom Charter in the presence of a host of academics, Human Rights activists, legal luminaries, TGTE MPs and Senators, political pundits, and professionals from Norway to Australia and India to Italy were present at this historic event.
Enumerating the cardinal principles of the Tamilnationhood, historic homelands with the Right of self-determination, the Prime Minister eloquently read out the proclamation consisting of 21 articles of freedom
A two day International Academic conference exploring the means to realize the legitimate political aspirations of the Tamils of Eelam was held prior to the proclamation of the Freedom Charter.
Professor Francis Boyle a leading advocate for Freedom to the oppressed national communities was the resource person at this conference at which Prof. Josef Alkatout (Germany), Prof. Peter Schalk (Sweden), Prof. Manivannan (Chennai), Prof. Sornarajah (London), Dr. David Suntha (UK), Prof. David Matas (Canada), Prof. Frederic Fapanni (Switzerkland) Prof. Chandrakanthan (Canada), Dr. Paul Newman (Bangalore), Prof. Saraswathy (Chennai) and Prof. James Summer (UK) Prof. N. Sriskandarajah (Sweden), Dr. Brian Senaviratne (Australia), Mrs. Usha Sriskandarajah (Canada), Mr. V. Thankavelu (Canada), Dr. Nimmi Gowrinathan, (Canada) presented research papers on an array of topics related to the Conference theme.
Following the proclamation of the freedom charter Dr. Nuran Nabi a freedom fighter once considered the brain behind the Bangladesh Mukti Bahini, Dr. Ramsay Clark, former attorney General of the USA and Hon. Daniel Mayan from South Sudan (SPLM) reiterated their support and emphasized the historic importance of the freedom charter.
Tamil Eelam, the Freedom Charte
Positions:
1) We, the people of Tamil Eelam, have an inherent right to self-determination. Subject to Genocide at the hands of successive Sinhala national governments and as an essential measure of protection we wish to establish our own independent and sovereign State of Tamil Eelam.
2) The creation of an independent and sovereign State of Tamil Eelam remains the only viable option to lead a life with security, dignity and equality, both individually and collectively.
3) For over six decades we have struggled, through both non-violent means and armed resistance, to protect ourselves from state sponsored Genocide. We demand the international community organize a referendum to enable us to exercise our right to self-determination and also take all measures to bring to justice the perpetrators of Genocide against the Tamil people.
4) The North-East of Sri Lanka is our traditional homeland and will be the territory of the State of Tamil Eelam. The maritime and aerial limits of Tamil Eelam will be established according to international laws.
5) The independent state of Tamil Eelam will embrace wholeheartedly the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all international human rights and humanitarian treaties and conventions.
6) A Constituent Assembly, elected by the people, shall draft the Constitution. The Constitution will avoid any concentration of power in one authority or person and enshrine the independence of the Legislature, the Executive and Judiciary.
7) Tamil Eelam shall be a Republic adhering to the laws enacted by a Parliament of elected representatives chosen through direct voting by the people. The people shall have the right to recall their elected representatives.
8) No religion shall be given the foremost place in Tamil Eelam. The freedom to worship and the cultural right to practice religious traditions shall be ensured.
9) Tamil Eelam will prohibit capital punishment.
10) The state of Tamil Eelam shall guarantee Constitutional protection of individuals, families and communities from any form of discrimination on the basis of religion, ethnicity, language, caste, gender or sexual orientation.
11) The rights of all minority groups in Tamil Eelam will be respected and safeguarded.
12)The distinct identity of Muslims will be recognized. They shall have the right to participate in formulation of their role in Tamil Eelam.
13) Whenever the hill country Tamils choose to settle in Tamil Eelam, citizenship rights will be extended to them forthwith and the state shall implement special programs for their welfare.
14) All freedom fighters shall be honored as national heroes. All those who sacrificed their lives shall be honored as martyrs. The welfare of the families of the martyrs and cadre shall be the responsibility of the state.
15) All civilians who lost their lives during the freedom struggle shall be remembered through a national monument.
17) May 18 will be established as a National Day of Mourning and November 27 will remain as the National Maaveerar Day.
18) Foreign Policy
a) Tamil Eelam shall maintain close relations with all nations that have democratically elected governments.
b) Expressing solidarity with the people of India and to foster peace and security in the Indian Ocean region, Tamil Eelam will forge a special relationship with India.
19) Economic Policy
The economic policy of Tamil Eelam will be shaped with the needs and resources of the people of Tamil Eelam in mind and to cultivate global cooperation as well as recognizing the significant role of the Tamil diaspora.
20) Language Policy
Tamil, Sinhala and English shall be the official languages of Tamil Eelam.
21) Education Policy
Education shall be compulsory and free for all.
23) Health Policy
Health will be a fundamental right and all citizens will have access to free healthcare.
24) Development Policy
Development includes economic as well as social, human resource and cultural development in a sustainable way. An important goal of development policy would be to create social equity and minimize disparities.
25. Some of the objectives of development projects in Tamil Eelam will be to ensure that all citizens have:
– their own shelter;
– basic livelihood
– adequate nutrition, especially for children, pregnant mothers and the elderly
– protection from infectious diseases
26) Environment Policy
Land, water and space resources within the territory of Tamil Eelam will be conserved. Large-scale reforestation projects, especially of the Palmyra resource destroyed during the war, will be undertaken as a priority.
27) Emphasis will be given to renewable energy forms such as solar, wind and wave. All non-renewable resources will be used cautiously keeping in mind the needs of future generations.
28) Citizenship Policy
Citizenship will be extended to all those born in the homeland or descended from those born in the homeland. Provisions will be made for obtaining citizenship through naturalization and also for holding dual citizenship.
About TamilEelam Freedom Charter : www.tamileelamfreedomcharter.org
For informations contact : [email protected]
Nimal Vinayagamoorthy
Chair Conference Committee
[email protected]