Terrorism is no longer a crime but an extension of war- Opinion
Terrorism is no longer a crime but an extension of
war; soldiers are privileged to engage combatants in war. Hence, Sri
Lanka is no exception with its legal authority in defending itself,
writes opinion columnist Mike Ferdinandaz.
Referring to the UN-US double twist in dealing with
arbitrary and extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan, Iraq, Gaza and
Pakistan, Ferdinandaz questions the faith of small nations, especially
Sri Lanka which claimed a historic feat against LTTE terrorists
following a 30 year prolonged conflict.
United States response to Prof. Philip Alston's
remarks made at the United Nations General Assembly's Human Rights
Committee on Tuesday (26th October) was a face-off of the existing
realm. "U.S is engaged in a war against terrorism and that neither UN
nor any human rights investigator has jurisdiction to probe their
execution of the war and the intelligence decisions", the US
administration retaliated with fury.
Sri Lankan example:
Sri Lanka has set the perfect example of dealing with
terrorism. The use of its own brand of Humanitarian Operation has saved
lives of thousands of civilians. No battle theater was so intense and
decisive since the Vietnamese War and the end result was outstanding;
over 250,000 civilians were rescued from the clutches of a most brutal
terrorist outfit.
Instead of replicating the Sri Lankan example against
terrorism, it is disheartening to see continuous efforts of conspiracy
by some world powers to subjugate a democracy that has won back liberty
for its citizens. The theater of warfare has changed since late 50's and
conscious efforts should be made in understanding terrorists' use of
brute tactics against legitimate governments.
However, recent geopolitics illustrates the existence
of a different script of engagement by western 'powers' in dealing with
'war on terror' in the East. Terrorism is no longer a crime but an
extension of war; soldiers are privileged to engage combatants in war.
Hence, Sri Lanka is no exception with its legal authority in defending
itself.
Sri Lanka has answered its critics well, despite
constant adverse propaganda by so-called saviors of humanity and human
rights. No nation has proved its commitment and effectiveness in
reconciliation, peace-building and development in recent times.
Despite all odds the island nation has stood firm and
stern on its grounds; the only "offence" the writer sees as the
rationale behind the irked reaction of the West'.
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