Tamil Canadians Welcome Prime Minister Harper’s Principled Decision to Boycott CHOGM

For Immediate Release

October 7, 2013

Tamil Canadians Welcome Prime Minister Harper’s Principled Decision to Boycott CHOGM

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Tamil Congress welcomes the statement issued by Prime Minister Stephen Harper reiterating his position that he will not attend the CHOGM that will be held next month in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Harper has gone one step further and has asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs to review Canada’s financial contributions to Commonwealth programs and the Commonwealth Secretariat. We hope that his warning to cut Commonwealth funding will send a strong message to Sri Lanka that human rights violations constitute serious threats to the dignity of human beings and will not be tolerated.

As the Prime Minister has stated, in order for the Commonwealth to remain relevant, it must stand in defence of the basic principles of freedom, democracy and respect for human dignity, the very foundation upon which the Commonwealth was built. Sadly, despite the end of the Sri Lankan civil war four and a half years ago, these fundamental principles of human rights remain absent on the war torn island.

“On behalf of all Tamil Canadians, we thank our Prime Minister for his principled stand. Canada may stand alone at this time, but it is the right thing to do,” said David Poopalapillai, National Spokesperson for the Canadian Tamil Congress. “With CHOGM just a few weeks away, we once again urge Commonwealth members to stand in solidarity with Canada”, concluded Poopalapillai.

For media inquiries and interviews, please contact:

Mr. David Poopalapillai – 905-781-7034, National Spokesperson, Canadian Tamil Congress
Canadian Tamil Congress Head Office – 416-240-0078