Canada to classify Tamil Tigers as terror group: report
Posted on April 9, 2006 | Economy
MONTREAL, April 06(AFP) – Canada has added to its list of terrorist organizations the Tamil Tigers, a group fighting for the autonomy of northeastern Sri Lanka, the National Post reported Saturday, saying an official government announcement was expected Monday. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), or Tamil Tigers, would be the 39th organization deemed a terrorist group by the Canadian government, and the first so named by the Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
According to a Human Rights Watch study released last month, the group extorts money from the diaspora in Britain and Canada.
"Many members of the diaspora actively support the Tamil Tigers. But the culture of fear is so strong that even Tamils who don't (support them) feel they have no choice but to give money," the report said.
The LTTE rebels have been fighting for autonomy for more than 30 years, in a conflict that has claimed at least 60,000 lives.