Interim Self Governing Authority
The Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) was a proposal issued in October 2003 by the rebel
Background
The
The ISGA
On 31 October 2003, with the ceasefire still holding, the LTTE issued their proposals for an ISGA. The ISGA would have broad powers such the right to impose the rule of law, collect taxes, run the administration and oversee the rehabilitation process in the north and east, and it would be controlled by the LTTE until elections were held. Crucially however, the LTTE had dropped their demand for an independent Tamil Eelam in favour of regional autonomy.[5] The key points of the LTTE's proposals are:
- An ISGA will be established for the eight districts in the Northern and Eastern provinces until a final negotiated settlement is reached and implemented.
- Initially the members of the ISGA will be appointed by the parties to this agreement with the LTTE appointing an absolute majority, but
- electionswill be held if no final negotiated settlement is reached and implemented within five years.
- The ISGA shall have duties, law and order, and over land.
- The GOSL agrees that any and all of its expenditures in or for the north-east shall be subject to the control of the ISGA.
- The ISGA shall have powers to guarantees and indemnities, receive aid directly, and engage in or regulate internal and external trade.
- The ISGA shall have direction and control over any and all administrative structures and personnel in the north-east.
- The ISGA shall have the power to alienate and determine the appropriate use of all land in the north-east that is not privately owned.
- Land occupied by the armed forces of the GOSL must be immediately vacated and restored to the possession of the previous owners. The GOSL must also compensate the owners for the past dispossession of their land.
- The ISGA shall be responsible for the resettlement and rehabilitation of refugeesin such lands.
- The ISGA shall have control over the marineand offshore resources of the adjacent seas and the power to regulate access thereto.
- The ISGA will have control over the natural resourcesin the north-east region. The GOSL shall ensure that all monies due under existing agreements are paid to the ISGA.
- All future agreements concerning matters under the jurisdiction of the ISGA shall be made with the ISGA.
Key Features
Elections
An independent Election Commission, appointed by the ISGA, shall conduct free and fair elections in accordance with international democratic principles and standards under international observation.
Human rights
The people of the north-east shall be accorded all rights as are provided under international human rights law. Every law, regulation, rule, order or decision of the ISGA shall conform to internationally accepted standards of human rights protection. There shall be an independent human rights commission, appointed by the ISGA, which shall ensure the compliance with all such human rights obligations. The commission will seek the assistance of international human rights bodies to facilitate the rapid establishment of an effective regime for protecting human rights. The commission shall be entitled to receive petitions from any individual person, award compensation to any such affected person, and ensure that such person's rights are restored.
Secularism
No religion shall be given the foremost place in the north-east.
Prohibition of discrimination
The ISGA shall ensure that there is no discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, national or regional origin, age or gender in the north-east. No law, regulation, rule, order or decision that confers a privilege or imposes a disability on any community, which is not conferred or imposed on any other community, shall be made concerning culture or religion.
No law, regulation, rule, order or decision that confers a privilege or imposes a disability on any community, which is not conferred or imposed on any other community, shall be made concerning culture or religion.
Administration
As part of the exercise of its executive powers the ISGA shall have direction and control over any and all administrative structures and personnel in the north-east pertaining to the powers set out in Clause 9 of this agreement. The ISGA may, at its discretion, create expert advisory committees in necessary areas. These areas will include but are not limited to economic affairs, financial affairs, judicial affairs, resettlement and rehabilitation affairs, development of infrastructure, and essential services.
Reaction
On 4 November 2003, while
See also
- Sri Lankan civil war
- Sri Lankan Tamil nationalism
- Thimpu principles
External links
References
- ^ Full text of LTTE's ISGA proposals BBC News November 2003
- ^ Sri Lankan rebels announce truce, BBC News 19 December 2001
- ^ Sri Lanka seals truce deal, BBC News 22 February 2002
- ^ Tamil Tigers call off peace talks, BBC News 21 April 2003
- ^ Sri Lanka thrown into political crisis, BBC News 4 November 2003
- ^ LTTE proposals go beyond bounds of Oslo, Tokyo declarations — Armitage, The Island 5 November 2003 (via Asian Tribune)[permanent dead link]
- ^ "LTTE's proposals significant - Armitage". TamilNet. 4 November 2003. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
- ^ EU says Tamil Tiger proposals important step in peace bid, ABC News 2 November 2003
- ^ The way forward lies through direct discussion - GoSL, TamilNet 1 November 2003
- ^ Sampanthan to address seminar on ISGA, TamilNet 2 November 2003
- ^ SLFP expresses "grave concern" over ISGA proposals, TamilNet 4 November 2003
- ^ Proposal merits no discussions - JVP, TamilNet 2 November 2003
- ^ SU demands Colombo to abandon peace process, TamilNet 2 November 2003
- ^ Sri Lanka thrown into political crisis, BBC News 4 November 2003
- ^ Emergency declared in Sri Lanka, BBC News 5 November 2003