1. There is no point wasting time on questions about terrorism. There has not been a terrorist incident involving Tamil Tigers since the end of the civil war a year ago.
2. Since the migrants are likely to claim to be refugees, the important question obviously is “What are you fleeing from?” Tamils are not being persecuted in Sri Lanka. They must be fleeing for other reasons.
3. They could be political. It is unsafe for people in Sri Lanka to talk politics. They could have offended the government in some way.
4. But a much more plausible explanation for their emigration is entirely unpolitical. It is economic. They have come because they have been informed – correctly – that in Canada they can make a good living.
5. If it is true that each of the migrants had to pay the equivalent of $45,000 – a prohibitively enormous sum – it is likely that criminality was involved in some way. This may be the only important question to pursue.
6. The migrants know that Australia is tough to get into – Canada soft.
Are you sure the Tamils are not still persecuted? The history of Sri Lanka and the Tamils is not a pretty story.
I consulted a highly educated Sri Lankan on this subject. I believe him.
Check with Amnesty International, you might get a different story.
After the Hungarian Revolution (1956) and the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968), Canada sent an immigration mission to Vienna and facilitated the refugees’ immigration. They, of course, picked the best people and fast-tracked their entry into Canada. Many success stories resulted.
The Tamils in Canada are hard working and most have been successful and are contributing to the country. Maybe the government should follow the same model and send a mission to Sri Lanka.
Those on the boat should be fast-tracked without the Harperites fanning the flames of anti-immigrant sentiment.
Total agreement, Peter.
I wrote the blog after consultation with a Sri Lankan whom I know and like and trust. He says the Tamils are not now persecuted. I have not talked to any Tamil about this.
It is always possible that I am wrong.
(It would be the first time).