[Mitai-announce] URGENT ACTION-Sri Lanka

Tue May 12 21:35:45 EDT 2009

Dear friends,

I am sorry for the recent influx of emails through the announcement thread.
But this is an Urgent Action, calling for the Japanese government to help
the *TENS OF THOUSANDS* of innocent Sri Lankans  who are at risk of being
killed *THIS WEEK*. Please take time out of your studying for finals or
projects to sign the petition. Will take 2 seconds of your time and you can
save lives!

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_bloodbath<http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_bloodbath?cl=229570015&v=3295>

MIT AI EXEC

for more information, see the below. it's written by [image:
Avaaz]<http://www.avaaz.org/en>
--------------

*A modern day bloodbath is unfolding on the small island of Sri Lanka*,
where a thousand civilians were reported killed over the weekend and tens of
thousands of innocent people are literally at risk of being killed this
week, as government and rebel forces battle it out over the last small patch
of rebel held territory.

Now that the US has begun to increase its pressure, *the solution to
stopping this humanitarian disaster* lies with Sri Lanka’s key donor and
closest partner in the region -- Japan. It has powerful political and
economic influence over the Sri Lankan government and a swing vote at the UN
Security Council, which up until now has turned a blind eye to this mounting
catastrophe.

*Click here to send a message to the Japanese Foreign Minister*, who is
deciding his government's next steps. Japan cares about its international
reputation and a flood of messages from abroad would encourage them to act.
If Japan moves then the Sri Lankan government will be forced to immediately
respond to protect civilians:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_bloodbath<http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_bloodbath?cl=229570015&v=3295>

As last weekend´s carnage testifies, every minute counts for the estimated
50,000 civilians still trapped inside the shrinking conflict zone and for
those 200,000 more who are barely surviving in overcrowded camps. *The
International Committee of the Red Cross*, which rarely makes public
comment, called this conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the
Tamil rebels, *'nothing short of catastrophic'.*

Until now, the divided UN Security Council has abdicated their
responsibility to protect Sri Lankans from war crimes and other atrocities.
*But in this conflict Japan cannot be ignored *– it's powerful voice could
tip the balance and influence the conflict dynamics, saving lives in the
short-term and promoting peace and development in the long run.

*Asia's longest-running civil war is entering its final stage – the only
question is how many will die before it ends*. Let´s send a powerful message
urging Foreign Minister Nakasone to act responsibly and lead international
efforts to push the Tamil rebels to release the remaining civilians, stop
the government bombing and bring sustainable peace to Sri Lanka. Japan's
political and economic weight means that they cannot be ignored:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_bloodbath<http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_bloodbath?cl=229570015&v=3295>

As other donor nations increase the pressure behind the scenes this week, *a
truly global citizens' outcry can further turn the heat on the Japanese
government to use its leverage* and push for a robust and concerted
international action that stops the bloodshed and protect the Sri Lankan
civilian population at risk. Thank you for sending your message today.

With hope

Luis, Brett, Alice, Graziela, Pascal, Ben, Ricken, Paula, Iain, Paul, Raj
and the rest of the Avaaz Team

Doctor reports hundreds of bodies being brought to hospital as UN says
feared bloodbath has become reality - 11 May 2009 -
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/11/sri-lanka-civilian-deaths

Four leading international organisations call on Japan to play a more active
role in confronting the unfolding catastrophe in Sri Lanka. Press release:
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=6097&l=1&m=1

Full text of the letter at:
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=6096&l=1&m=1

The US accuses Sri Lanka of causing “untold suffering” among civilians, and
calls on rebels to release civilians stuck in the conflict zone:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/23/world/asia/23lanka.html

For information about the UN Security Council discussions on Sri Lanka:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article5817983.ece

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