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((Use dmy dates|date=March 2020))
((Use British English|date=October 2012))
((More citations needed|date = November 2015))

'''British Tamils Forum''' or BTF, is a largest organisation representing the [[Tamils in the United Kingdom|Tamil Community]] in the [[United Kingdom]]. The BTF intends to be the voice of the Tamil Community in the UK by raising the issues on Tamils in UK and to bring awareness to the issues affecting Tamil people in the island of Sri Lanka and around the world. The BTF's work is focused on addressing the root cause to the conflict through an international justice mechanism to bring truth and justice to all victims of war and to bring end to the entrenched culture of [[impunity]] in Sri Lanka.

The BTF's vision for a lasting peace and security through a negotiated political settlement to the Tamil national question by recognising the Tamil people’s right in the North-East of the island of Sri Lanka and hope to bridge the voice between the British Tamil Community and the Tamil people in the island of Sri Lanka.

The [[Government of Sri Lanka|Sri Lankan government]] banned the organization as a front for the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam|LTTE]]. However the lack of evidence to link the BTF and with the LTTE and terror activities resulted in the ban eventually getting lifted in 2015 as a bid to achieve reconciliation.<ref>((Cite web|title = Govt lifts ban on several banned LTTE outfits|url = http://www.dailymirror.lk/96375/govt-lifts-ban-on-several-pro-ltte-outfits|website = www.dailymirror.lk|access-date = 2015-11-22))</ref><ref>((Cite web|title = Sri Lanka Slashes List of 'Terrorists' in Reconciliation Bid|url = http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/sri-lanka-slashes-list-of-terrorists-in-reconciliation-bid-1246061|website = NDTV.com|access-date = 2015-11-22))</ref> BTF was banned again in 2021 by the [[Government of Sri Lanka|Sri Lankan government]].<ref>((cite news |title=7 entities & 389 individuals banned in Sri Lanka's updated proscribe list |url=https://www.newswire.lk/2021/03/29/7-entities-389-individuals-banned-in-sri-lankas-updated-proscribe-list/ |work=NewsWire |date=29 March 2021))</ref><ref>((cite web |title=Amendment to the List of Designated Persons and Entities |url=http://fiusrilanka.gov.lk/docs/UNSCR/List/2216_37/2216_37_E.pdf))</ref> The ban was again lifted in 2022.<ref>((cite web | url=https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/selfish-and-cynical-sri-lanka-lifts-ban-some-tamils-many-more-remain-barred | title=Selfish and cynical – Sri Lanka lifts ban on some Tamils but many more remain barred | publisher=Tamil Guardian | date=17 August 2022 | accessdate=22 August 2022))</ref>

== History ==
The British Tamils Forum was established as an advocacy group in 2006, with the support of [[Sri Lankan Tamils]] to undertake high level diplomacy, engaging with the members of parliament, government representatives, policy makers, civil society organisations and to mobilise the Tamil Community in the UK to on Sri Lankan Tamil issues. In 2010, BTF evolved as a nonpartisan, grassroots community organisation and representing a collective voice of the Tamil Community in the UK, by bringing together individuals, and Tamil organisations in a bottom-up structure, governed along the principles of participatory democracy.

==Activities==

===Boycott call===
In January 2008, the Forum called for a boycott of [[Sri Lankan Airlines]] as well as other trade and travel sanctions, in protest at the Government of Sri Lanka's withdrawal from a ceasefire with the rebel [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]], after both sides had violated the agreement numerous times after LTTE instigation. Ivan Pedropillai of the forum stated that "£12m in foreign currency earned annually by the airline was being used to reinforce the government's war chest."<ref>((cite news | title= Tamil Diaspora calls for Sri Lankan boycott| url= http://www.tamilguardian.com/article.asp?articleid=1545| work = [[Tamil Guardian]] | date=2008-01-23 | access-date=2008-10-18))</ref><ref>((cite web | author=British Tamils Forum| title= Blood Money for the Sri Lankan Government| url= http://www.tamilwritersguild.com/BTF_PressRelease.pdf |format=PDF|work = [[Tamil Writers Guild]] | date=2008-01-15 | access-date=2008-10-18))</ref> The Forum organised a meeting chaired by MP [[Keith Vaz]] who compared the Tamil plight to the [[Rwandan genocide]], [[War in Darfur|Darfur killings]] and [[Bosnian Genocide|Bosnian ethnic cleansing]]. BTF spokesman Suren Surendiran surmised that the international community had continually pursued a double standard in its approach to [[conflict resolution]] in Sri Lanka compared to in states such as [[Zimbabwe]], stating that the Sri Lankan government was "abusing the Tamils' fundamental human rights and killing innocent Tamil civilians with the aid and assistance from the international community."<ref>((cite news | author=Rashmee Roshan| title= UK issues stern warning to Colombo| url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/UK_issues_stern_warning_to_Colombo/articleshow/2714382.cms|work =[[The Times of India]] | date=2008-01-19 | access-date=2008-10-18))</ref>

===2008 photo exhibition in UK Parliament===
On 16 July 2008, the BTF displayed a photo exhibition, sponsored by the [[All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils]] (APPGT), which was held in the British [[Houses of Parliament]] premises on the anniversary of the [[Black July]] pogrom, and marked 50 years since the 1958 [[Riots and pogroms in Sri Lanka|riots on the island]]. Photos depicted political figures according to BTF responsible for structural and physical violence in the [[Tamil Eelam|North-East]] since [[Ceylon]]'s independence from [[United Kingdom|Britain]] as well as victims of the [[Sri Lankan civil war]]. The event was attended by MPs of all parties, Members of the [[House of Lords]], Former Cabinet Ministers, Mayors, Councillors, University students, and representatives of international & UK organisations.<ref name="btf-exhibition"/>

Attendees included three MPs of the [[Tamil National Alliance]] - Ms Padmini Sithamparanathan MP,
Jayananthamoorthi MP and Gagendran MP, a representative of the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in London, [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] MPs [[Joan Ryan (politician)|Joan Ryan MP]], [[Virendra Sharma|Virendra Sharma MP]], [[Keith Vaz|Keith Vaz MP]], [[Andy Love|Andy Love MP]] and [[Lord Waddington|Lord Waddington QC]] of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]. It was hailed by [[Neil Gerrard|Neil Gerrard MP]] as "making a clear case for [[self-determination]]" and as a final note, [[Barry Gardiner|Barry Gardiner MP]] wrote of the exhibition "We Build a Nation."<ref name="btf-exhibition">((cite web |url= http://www.tamilsforum.com/UK%20Parliament%2016%20July%202008.pdf | title = The Exhibition makes a clear case for Self Determination for Tamils and We Build a Nation – British Government Members of Parliament | access-date=2008-10-18 | author=British Tamils Forum|format=PDF))</ref>

===Ken Livingstone meeting===
Whilst campaigning for a renewed term as [[London Mayor]], [[Ken Livingstone|Ken Livingstone MP]] sought the backing of the BTF in [[London Borough of Harrow|Harrow]] during a meeting. According to a column by [[Andrew Gilligan]], Livingstone was accused by the Sri Lankan High Commission and Gilligan as speaking to "a front of the terror group LTTE."<ref name="agonken">((cite web | title= Ken talks to 'front' for banned Tamil Tigers| url= http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-mayor/article-23479694-details/Ken%20talks%20to%20%27front%27%20for%20banned%20Tamil%20Tigers/article.do?expand=true| work = thisislondon.co.uk| date = 2008-04-22|access-date=2008-10-18))</ref> The BTF rejected the allegation. Gilligan has been noted by Livingstone to have led a sustained partisan campaign against the former mayor during his time in office.<ref>((cite web | author=Ken Livingstone| title= Sack Andrew Gilligan| url= https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/dec/14/sackandrewgilligan| work = [[The Guardian]]| date = 2007-12-14|access-date=2008-10-18))</ref> At the meeting, co-organised with councillor [[Thaya Iddaikadar]] and local Harrow Tamilians, Livingstone stated of the claim "the Metropolitan Police came under [me] and where there was a legitimate request for a legitimate event his office would always be supportive." Livingstone also gave the forum his "personal commitment" that he would support its [[vigil|candlelit vigil]] in [[Trafalgar Square]] in July 2008 to mark the 25th anniversary of "[[Black July]]."<ref>((cite news | title= Sri Lankan Diplomats Demonizing UK Tamils - BTF| url= http://www.tamileelamnews.com/news/publish/tns_9660.shtml| work = tamileelamnews.com| date = 2008-04-23|access-date=2008-10-18))</ref>

===Rallies===
Annual political rallies are organised by the BTF and in June, July, September and October 2008, the forum organised and participated in several public demonstrations in London.<ref>((cite news | title= Diaspora Tamils seek solidarity with British Public| url= http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=27175| work = [[TamilNet]]| date = 2008-10-12|access-date=2008-10-18))</ref> It worked in union with the NSSP, the TYO (Tamil Youth Organisation), S4P (Solidarity for Peace), [[Socialist Resistance]], [[Socialist Party of Great Britain|the Socialist Party]], [[International Socialist Group]] and South Asia Solidarity Group in condemning [[Mahinda Rajapakse]]'s visit to London, and supported the right to [[self determination]] of the Tamil people in "[[Tamil Eelam]]." All Party debates in [[UK Parliament]] have highlighted gatherings organised by the BTF and the issues the forum has raised.<ref name="btf-rally june">((cite web |url= http://www.tamilsforum.com/Demonstration100608.html | title = President Rajapakse will think twice before visiting London next time - British Tamils Forum | access-date=2008-10-18 | author=British Tamils Forum))</ref><ref>((cite web | title= House of Commons Hansard Debates for 14th October 2008| url= https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm081014/halltext/81014h0009.htm#column_240WH| work = UKParliament.co.uk| date = 2008-10-14|access-date=2008-10-18))</ref>

===statements===
In the wake of a return to full-scale hostilities in 2008 on the island, with Tamil civilians moving further into rebel areas amid army offensives and increasing international concern on the plight of civilians caught in Sri Lanka's conflict, the BTF released a statement, responding to an assertion by [[Lord Malloch Brown]] that "the LTTE should allow free movement of civilians", accusing the Sri Lankan Government of deliberately
"''restricting free movement of civilians within and out of [[Jaffna Peninsula]], where the [[Sri Lankan army|Sinhala army]] is an occupying force.''" Its statement went on to note how "''degrading restrictions laid on the Tamil community living in and around Colombo, restrictions placed on journalists to travel around Sri Lanka to report on current security situations and human rights violations and the inhuman treatment of IDPs by restricting their mobility, by placing them in 'detention centres' (e.g. in [[Mannar, Sri Lanka|Mannar]]) [was] in contravention of humanitarian practices, human rights laws, U.N. Charters and Geneva Conventions.''"<ref name="untorebelresume">((cite web| url=http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=44045| title=SRI LANKA - UN Supplies to Rebel-Held Areas will resume| work=[[Inter Press Service]]| access-date=2008-10-18| date=2008-09-28| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015002828/http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=44045| archive-date=15 October 2008| url-status=dead))</ref> The forum has criticized British authorities for not condemning [[Allegations of State terrorism by Sri Lanka|the Sri Lankan Government's human rights violations]].<ref>((cite news | title= UN to restart Sri Lankan food aid|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2008/09/080928_un_food.shtml| work = BBCSinhala | date=2008-09-28|access-date=2008-10-18))</ref>

===2009 London Protest===
On 31 January 2009, up to 100,000 people marched through London on a BTF co-organised demonstration, protesting the deaths of hundreds of Tamils in Sri Lankan army attacks and demanding a permanent ceasefire. Protesters carried large flags of red and yellow – the Tamil [[national colours]] – and banners condemning the genocide of Tamils by the Sri Lankan state, expressing their support for an independent Tamil Eelam.<ref>((cite news | title= British Tamils stage largest ever march protesting genocide, mandating Tamil Eelam| url= http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=28240| work = [[TamilNet]]| date = 2009-01-31|access-date=2009-02-01))</ref>
Passing peacefully for one of its size, with three MPs, [[Keith Vaz|Keith Vaz MP]], [[Simon Hughes|Simon Hughes MP]] and [[Andrew Pelling|Andrew Pelling MP]] joining the protest, Vaz stated that in his 21-year career in politics, he had never seen a protest as large as it in London. Addressing the crowd, he challenged the Indian High Commission to pressure Colombo to give peace a chance in the spirit of [[Mahatma Gandhi]].

=== Land Grab Conference 2014 ===
A two-day international conference on the Sri Lankan state’s Land Grab of Tamil land], a number of speakers calling for an international mechanism to halt land-grabs.<ref>((cite news|title=Land grabs constitute genocide of Tamil nation - Day 1 of international land-grab conference concludes|url=http://www.tamilguardian.com/article.asp?articleid=9844|work=[[Tamil Guardian]]|date=31 January 2014))</ref><ref>((cite web|title=Opening Day of International Land Grabs Conference Draws to a Successful Close|url=http://tamilsforum.co.uk/2014/01/opening-day-of-international-land-grabs-conference-draws-to-a-close/|publisher=British Tamils Forum|date=31 January 2014))</ref> Various international delegates participated, including political and civil society representatives from the North and East of the Island of Sri Lanka, expressed serious concern about land garb issues.<ref>((cite web|last=Peoples Alliance Right to Land|first=Colombo Telegraph|url=https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/land-grabs-in-north-and-east-contradict-llrc-recommendations/|work=Colombo Telegraph|access-date=8 April 2014 | title = Land Grabs in North And East Contradict LLRC Recommendations))</ref><ref>((cite web|last=TamilNet|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=37023|publisher=TamilNet|access-date=8 April 2014|title=London conference explores nature of land grabs in Tamil homeland))</ref>

31 January 2014 - Day one in the houses of Parliament committee room 14<ref name="C4WDefault-2642356">((cite web|url=http://tamilsforum.co.uk/2014/02/fruitful-discussion-among-researchers-politicians-and-activists-at-main-session-of-international-land-grabs-conference/ |title=British Tamils Forum » Blog Archive » Fruitful Discussion among Researchers, Politicians and Activists at Main Session of International Land Grabs Conference |work=tamilsforum.co.uk |date=2 February 2014 |access-date=10 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410082737/http://tamilsforum.co.uk/2014/02/fruitful-discussion-among-researchers-politicians-and-activists-at-main-session-of-international-land-grabs-conference/ |archive-date=10 April 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy ))</ref>  
1 February 2014 - Day two in the Kennedy Theatre, University College London<ref name="C4WDefault-2642356"/>

==Awards and recognition==
The BTF received the "Asian Voice Award" for the "Best Campaigning organisation of the Year" in 2008. Introduced by [[Keith Vaz]] MP, forum representative Nathan Kumar received the award from [[John Reid, Baron Reid of Cardowan|John Reid MP]] at the event.<ref>((cite news | title= British Tamils Forum receives the Asia Voice award| url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLxQlcdt1to| work = [[YouTube]] | access-date=2008-10-18))</ref>

==See also==
*[[British Tamil]]
*[[Federation of Tamil Sangams in North America]]
*[[Tamils Against Genocide]]
*[[Global Tamil Forum]]
*[[British Tamil Association]]

==References==
((reflist))

==External links==
* [https://www.britishtamilsforum.org/ British Tamils Forum Official Website]

((Sri Lankan Tamil people))

[[Category:Human rights organisations based in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Diaspora organisations in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Charities based in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Overseas Tamil organizations]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan Tamil politics]]
[[Category:Tamil diaspora in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan Tamil nationalism]]
[[Category:Tamil Eelam]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 2006]]

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