https://www.rahulbalasundaram.comRSS Feed for Rahul BalasundaramenTue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://tamilguardian.com/content/new-report-details-canadian-arms-shipments-sri-lanka-1980sCanadian arms shipments to Sri Lanka played a key role in facilitating the Tamil genocide, according to a new report by the Tamil Feminist Collective.Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://tamilguardian.com/content/new-report-details-canadian-arms-shipments-sri-lanka-1980shttps://www.tamilguardian.com/index.php/content/human-rights-watch-concerned-about-lack-accountability-sri-lankas-past-human-rights-abusesSri Lanka’s prosecution of past human rights abuses has lagged, raising concerns for future progress, said Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a report released earlier this week.Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.tamilguardian.com/index.php/content/human-rights-watch-concerned-about-lack-accountability-sri-lankas-past-human-rights-abuseshttps://www.tamilguardian.com/index.php/content/un-human-rights-commissioner-urges-sri-lanka-advance-accountability-and-justiceA United Nations Human Rights report published earlier this week calls on the Sri Lankan government to bolster accountability for human rights violations and implement legal and institutional reforms.Fri, 04 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.tamilguardian.com/index.php/content/un-human-rights-commissioner-urges-sri-lanka-advance-accountability-and-justicehttps://www.tamilguardian.com/content/new-brief-highlights-continued-erosion-civic-space-north-eastA brief published by the Adayaalam Centre for Policy and Research (ACPR) last week highlights the continued erosion of civic space in the North-East, despite promises of reform following the election of the National People’s Power government in late 2024.Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/new-brief-highlights-continued-erosion-civic-space-north-easthttps://thelinknewspaper.ca/article/montreal-city-council-to-debate-motion-to-cut-ties-with-israel-on-august-24The motion introduced by Projet Montréal, the official municipal opposition, on June 4 calls on the city to suspend institutional ties with the Israeli government, its institutions and municipalities. This includes not inviting Israeli state representatives to official events at city hall, “until Israel returns to its internationally recognized borders, ceases its violations of the rights of Palestinian people and ends its violations...Wed, 19 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://thelinknewspaper.ca/article/montreal-city-council-to-debate-motion-to-cut-ties-with-israel-on-august-24https://thestarfish.ca/journal/2026/08/wars-and-global-militarization-are-fueling-the-climate-crisisAccording to researchers at the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, the number of state-based conflicts reached a record high of 65 last year. The total number of deaths as a result of conflicts was over 245,681 in 2025, underscoring their exorbitant human toll. An often neglected issue in this realm is the impact of wars and conflicts on the environment. Researchers highlight how wars cause deforestation and pollution, destroy ecosystems, and create massive levels of pollution and contamination. To achieve domestic and global climate targets, it is crucial to confront the environmental impacts of wars and militarization.Fri, 14 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://thestarfish.ca/journal/2026/08/wars-and-global-militarization-are-fueling-the-climate-crisishttps://www.tamilguardian.com/content/action-against-hunger-calls-new-investigation-20-years-after-killing-humanitarian-workersAction Against Hunger has called on the Sri Lankan government to open a new investigation into the 2006 Muttur massacre, in which seventeen of its aid workers, sixteen of them Tamil, were executed, urging an end to "decades of impunity" as the killings approach their twentieth anniversary.Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/action-against-hunger-calls-new-investigation-20-years-after-killing-humanitarian-workershttps://www.tamilguardian.com/content/sri-lanka-set-deploy-largest-peacekeeping-contingent-haiti-despite-human-rights-concerns1,132 Sri Lankan personnel from the Sri Lankan Army and the Police Special Task Force are set to depart on United Nations peacekeeping missions in Haiti in August, marking the single largest deployment of the country’s personnel to date.Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/sri-lanka-set-deploy-largest-peacekeeping-contingent-haiti-despite-human-rights-concernshttps://www.torontomu.ca/content/dam/global-migration-institute/publications/working-papers/WP-2026-09-Balasundaram.pdfAdapted from my Major Research Paper from my MA in Immigration and Settlement Studies at the Toronto Metropolitan University. A version of this paper was also shortlisted for the 2024 Canadian Association for Refugee and Migration Studies Graduate Student Essay Contest. This study traces Canada’s contribution to the climate crisis, the impact of the climate crisis on communities and livelihoods globally in the form of displacement, and Canada’s current response to climate displacement. A qualitative critical policy discourse analysis of government publications is conducted to inquire if Canada is pursuing a securitized approach to climate displacement. The results of the study are used to argue that Canada risks upholding climate coloniality through border securitization. Using these findings, the paper urges Canada to embody climate justice rather than pursuing a securitized approach to climate displacement by asserting that Canada has a responsibility to repay its climate debt to countries in the Majority World. The study concludes with recommendations on how Canada can uphold climate justice within the context of global climate displacement.Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.torontomu.ca/content/dam/global-migration-institute/publications/working-papers/WP-2026-09-Balasundaram.pdfhttps://leveller.ca/2026/05/a-marketplace-of-mass-death-cansec/On May 27-28, the world’s biggest war profiteers will once again come to the EY Centre to showcase their weapons of mass killing as part of the annual CANSEC convention organized by the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI).Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://leveller.ca/2026/05/a-marketplace-of-mass-death-cansec/https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/canadian-politicians-commemorate-tamil-genocide-remembrance-day-0Canadian politicians across the country have issued statements to mark Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, commemorating the tens of thousands of Tamils massacred by the Sri Lankan state in May 2009. Political leaders renewed calls for truth, accountability, and justice for the genocide committed against the Tamil people by Sri Lanka.Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/canadian-politicians-commemorate-tamil-genocide-remembrance-day-0https://leveller.ca/2026/04/carneys-attack-on-refugees-and-migrants/On March 26, Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, received royal assent and became law. It marks one of the most significant shifts in Canada’s refugee and immigration system in the past decade, with new ineligibility provisions for refugee claimants and new powers for the government to mass cancel immigration documents.Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://leveller.ca/2026/04/carneys-attack-on-refugees-and-migrants/https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/israeli-soldier-who-committed-war-crimes-reported-sri-lankan-authoritiesThe Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has formally filed a denunciation with Sri Lankan authorities against an Israeli-American soldier who is currently present on the island after committing war crimes in Gaza.Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/israeli-soldier-who-committed-war-crimes-reported-sri-lankan-authoritieshttps://www.tamilguardian.com/content/court-grants-stay-deportation-tamil-refugee-who-arrived-canada-seaA Tamil man who fled to Canada on the MV Sun Sea in 2010 was granted a stay of deportation last week by a Federal Court judge due to risks of torture in Sri Lanka.Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/court-grants-stay-deportation-tamil-refugee-who-arrived-canada-seahttps://www.tamilguardian.com/content/un-experts-demand-investigation-following-israels-killing-lebanese-journalistsThree United Nations (UN) experts called for a full and independent investigation into the killing of three Lebanese journalists by Israel last week, which they described as ‘another attack on press freedom by Israeli forces.’Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/un-experts-demand-investigation-following-israels-killing-lebanese-journalistshttps://www.tamilguardian.com/content/tamil-refugee-who-arrived-sea-canada-faces-deportation-back-sri-lankaA Tamil refugee who fled to Canada by sea is facing deportation to Sri Lanka, despite fears of imprisonment, torture and arbitrary detention, as reported by The Breach and Toronto Star. Kugatheeswaran Thuraisinkam was one of the 492 passengers aboard the MV Sun Sea, which arrived in British Columbia in August 2010 after the Tamil genocide.Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/tamil-refugee-who-arrived-sea-canada-faces-deportation-back-sri-lankahttps://www.tamilguardian.com/content/fifa-fines-israel-racism-and-discrimination-clears-settlement-clubsOn Thursday, FIFA sanctioned the Israel Football Association (IFA) over breaches of racism and discrimination, but cleared the Palestine Football Association’s (PFA) complaints of Israeli clubs playing in settlements.Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/fifa-fines-israel-racism-and-discrimination-clears-settlement-clubshttps://www.tamilguardian.com/content/declassified-documents-reveal-israels-support-sri-lanka-mid-1980sRecently publicized documents from Israel’s Foreign Ministry from the mid-1980s reveal Israel’s extensive support for Sri Lanka during the beginning of the armed conflict, despite human rights concerns. As reported by The Wire, the documents that were partially opened to the public in the Israel State Archives outline the scope of Israel’s support to the Sri Lankan government, including military equipment and training. While the Sri Lankan government severed diplomatic relations with Israel in...Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/declassified-documents-reveal-israels-support-sri-lanka-mid-1980shttps://thestarfish.ca/journal/2026/03/canada-set-to-co-host-the-2026-mens-world-cup-at-what-environmental-costThe Men’s World Cup is set to be co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico between June and July. It will be the first time the tournament is played in Canada, with Toronto and Vancouver set to host the world’s largest sporting event. Canada hosting the World Cup for the first time is a historic moment, but questions remain about the sustainability of large-scale sporting events and their environmental impacts. This year’s tournament is the largest one to date, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across the entire continent.Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://thestarfish.ca/journal/2026/03/canada-set-to-co-host-the-2026-mens-world-cup-at-what-environmental-costhttps://www.tamilguardian.com/content/two-indian-journalists-detained-filming-docked-iranian-warshipOn March 7, journalists C.G. Shankar and S. Mani were detained after allegedly entering a restricted area to film an Iranian naval vessel docked near the port in Kochi, Kerala, according to reports.Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/two-indian-journalists-detained-filming-docked-iranian-warshiphttps://www.tamilguardian.com/content/india-stands-israel-modi-says-during-state-visit-israelIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged his support for Israel during his two-day state visit, which concluded on Thursday last week.Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/india-stands-israel-modi-says-during-state-visit-israelhttps://www.tamilguardian.com/content/record-129-press-members-killed-2025A record 129 members of the press were killed in 2025, according to a recent report published by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/record-129-press-members-killed-2025https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/standing-buddhism-not-racism-namal-rajapaksa-son-war-criminalMember of Parliament and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser, Namal Rajapaksa said that his party stands "for Sinhala Buddhism" this week, in a staunch declaration of his Sinhala nationalist politics.Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/standing-buddhism-not-racism-namal-rajapaksa-son-war-criminalhttps://www.tamilguardian.com/content/india-launches-exposition-lord-buddha-relics-colomboSri Lanka received the Holy Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha from India at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo this week, opening an exposition, which coincided with Sri Lanka’s 'Independence Day’.Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/india-launches-exposition-lord-buddha-relics-colombohttps://leveller.ca/2025/11/ottawa-illuminates-city-hall-in-palestinian-colours/On November 15, the City of Ottawa illuminated the Heritage Building of City Hall and the Human Rights Monument in the colours of the Palestinian flag.Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://leveller.ca/2025/11/ottawa-illuminates-city-hall-in-palestinian-colours/https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/sri-lanka-and-india-begin-bilateral-military-trainingSri Lanka and India commenced the 11th edition of bilateral military training, also known as “Exercise Mithra Shakti”, a two-week training scheduled to take place between November 10 and 23 in Belagavi, Karnataka, India.Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/sri-lanka-and-india-begin-bilateral-military-traininghttps://shado-mag.com/articles/opinion/show-israel-the-red-card-football-stands-against-genocide/In conversation with Leyla Hamed on hypocrisy, repression and resistance in the Beautiful GameWed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://shado-mag.com/articles/opinion/show-israel-the-red-card-football-stands-against-genocide/https://www.fmreview.org/climate-choices/balasundaram/As one of the world’s leading historical polluters, Canada can uphold climate justice by facilitating mobility and supporting development and adaptation initiatives for those displaced by climate change.Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.fmreview.org/climate-choices/balasundaram/https://www.fmreview.org/climate-choices/balasundaram/Canada leads the world in cumulative emissions per population and is the second highest in terms of cumulative emissions per capita.[1] Despite its negative historical contributions to the climate crisis, Canada does not have an explicit policy focused on climate mobility, and to date, the government has only introduced ad hoc and temporary policy mechanisms to respond to sudden-onset climate events, rather than developing permanent solutions for individuals affected by both the sudden and slow-onset causes of climate displacement.Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.fmreview.org/climate-choices/balasundaram/https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/israeli-platform-suggests-replicating-sri-lankan-approach-defeat-terrorist-organizationSelf-styled "leftist" Israeli platform Telem published an article suggesting that Israel should replicate Sri Lanka’s approach to defeating “terrorist organizations”, comparing the offensive in Gaza to the 2009 genocide in Mullivaikkal.Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/israeli-platform-suggests-replicating-sri-lankan-approach-defeat-terrorist-organization