AN OPEN LETTER: Elected Members of the Sri Lankan Parliament

AN OPEN LETTER: Elected Members of the Sri Lankan Parliament
1 February 2009
From Hannes Siebert

Dear Hon Members,

Looks like the end of the sad and tragic war is in sight. I would
imagine that you are preparing for a process of negotiating a lasting
solution for the country's challenges.

You are well aware of my position that there will be NO "winners" in a
war where so much human destruction took place on both sides of the
divide. Yes, the GOSL would probably defeat the LTTE in the next days
or weeks to come, but you are going to face the same situation that
the US faced after its "victory" in Iraq; what my country, Soth Africa
faced for 40 years every time they thought they defeated the
"terrorists'; what Israel is facing when it used all its power to
destroy and neutralize Hamas. It is NOT about Hamas, or the ANC or the
Sunni's... or the LTTE. Its about the spirit of the human being and
the historical evidence of what happens when we try and eliminate a
"people" or the enemy.

I am concerned for the spirit and well-being of the Sinhalese and
Tamils at this crucial point in time. All sides severely damaged its
own humanity in order to inflict this much damage to the other. My
question is how you are going to liberate and redeem your society
after the war? How are you going to enable healing and reconciliation.
How are you going to face the "dark" truths of the past ... because if
you are not going to face it, many more lives will have to pay the
price for our damaged selves.

I want to sincerely ask you to please consider ending the war as soon
as possible. The Sinhalese Government have shown that they have the
power to destroy the LTTE. Stop now. Let the LTTE leaders and those in
the GOSL that committed war crimes face an international criminal
tribunal and pay for their hate crimes. But save the soul of the
Sinhala nation by not destroying the lives of thousands of ordinary
Tamil people. You have won. Reach out your hand now. Claim the moment
and insist an inclusive Tamil team comes forward and negotiate a
lasting solution under the auspices of India, the US, EU, Norway and
Japan. Create a strong national dialogue process that will not only
provide the space for negotiations, but also facilitate national
healing...

I understand that you do not want ceasefire now when you believe
victory is in sight. Allow me to use a metaphor of myself: When you
finally overpowered me, got me on the ground and are able to kill
me... and you let me live, does that not redeem your own and my
humanity? By letting me live, at that moment, you break the barrier
between us, our humanity connects. This act also allow for a moment of
reconciliation and healing. By killing me, the injustice and act of
destruction keeps the fire alive in my brother who will come back and
try and kill you when he feels strong enough. This is a moment the
country can start the long journey of healing the wounds and redeeming
itself. One of the most powerful instruments we posses as humans, is
the ability to be merciful to our enemy.

The responsibility of every leader at this moment is to restore the
sacredness and dignity of life. Never in history was it EVER too soon
to stop the killing of innocent human beings! If you want to find a
lasting solution that will secure the safety of all people on the
island, you will need to reach out your hand before there are nobody
left to take your hand.

I pray for your strength, wisdom and humility (at a time of victory).

In the honorable name of Peace,
Hannes Siebert
Former facilitator: Sri Lanka One-Text Initiative
Chairman: Peace Appeal Foundation