The Tamil people are one of the world's largest group of refugees. They recently suffered defeat in a long civil war that ended in a bloody massacre. But that didn't stop them organising a global referendum this weekend, and vote in their millions for national autonomy within Sri Lanka. Stuart Cosgrove was one of those eligible to vote, and he did so in the unlikely setting of the Woodside Halls in Glasgow's Maryhill. Not content with running Channel 4 outside London, devising the future strategy of Scotland's creative industries, entertaining the nation with Tam Cowan on Off the Ball, being a leading cultural critic and spreading the gospel that is Soul Music....in addition to all this Stuart played his small part in changing the course of history for one of South Asia's ancient civilisations. You can read how and why in the piece he wrote for this week's Sunday Times Ecosse here.
The Tamils of Sri Lanka have a rich history, culture and language. They were self governing before colonial rule. But the British Empire - once again the culprit - decided to lump them in with the Sinhalese majority of the island "for administrative purposes" in 1833. They have struggled to assert their civil rights ever since. The massacre of trapped Tamil civilians by the Sri Lankan army last year was probably the most under reported war crime of recent history. And I was disgusted to learn that millions of dollars donated to Tamil victims of the Tsunami never actually reached them. You can read more about that story, and the wider crisis facing these persecuted people at Tamil National here. Stuart comments regularly on Tamil issues in his blog at 38minutes, the social network for digital media professionals in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The Tamil diaspora voted 99% in favour of self-determination. Wonder if Scots would do the same.....or if they will ever get the chance...
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