We cannot remain silent (From Harrow Times)

We cannot remain silent

5:21pm Thursday 2nd April 2009 in

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As chair of the Brent BME Forum, my duties include championing the importance of the richness of our diverse community as well as campaigning for equality, justice and that a fair platform for expression be given to minorities in the borough.

That is why, by this letter, I would like to raise the deep concerns and plight of our dynamic and vibrant Tamil community, many of whose relatives have lost their lives in Sri Lanka. More importantly, I am loudly calling on our Brent MPs and the Government to start taking an active and decisive approach to help alleviate, not just the worries of our Tamils in Brent, but to also help those currently facing the shrapnel, bullets, beatings, and lack of food and proper medication. We urgently need a cease fire to stop innocent deaths.

We urgently need to press the Sri Lankan Government to allow UN/EU observers to make an objective assessment of the immediate and direct food and medical needs to innocent civilians.

We also urgently need to engage all parties not in military but “political talks” with the aim of finding a peaceful and proper political framework of entente. One that will allow and enshrine the rights to freedom, equality and protection under the law for all the citizens of Sri Lanka.

There have been far too many casualties to wait any longer and we certainly can’t be silent bystanders to the plight, suffering and distress of our Tamil community or any other of Brent’s communities. For this episode becomes a testament to the Governement’s own community cohesion and empowerment agendas.

Councillor Daniel Bessong (Liberal Democrat)
Chair, BME Forum, Brent Council