Warwick MUN apologises after members slam ‘praise’ of terror group in newsletter

Members of Warwick’s Model United Nations (MUN) Society have expressed anger at the release of a newsletter ‘praising’ the Tamil Tigers, a proscribed terror group.

The society’s November edition of its newsletter featured an article on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in its “global issues spotlight” section, in which the author (an exec member) referred to LTTE members as “great heroes” and highlighted what it called the “bravery” of “those who laid down their lives for the Tamil cause”.

The publication’s characterization of militants as “fallen heroes” has drawn sharp condemnation from some members of the society.

I thought it was disrespectful and inconsiderate as to how a group representing the values of the United Nations can condone and promote the activities of such a group

Student, Warwick MUN member

One student voiced their strong opposition: “As a student that grew up in a diverse community, including Sri Lankans of all ethnicities and religion, and as a member of the UN Society, I was immensely appalled seeing a eulogy painting the LTTE group as freedom fighters for Tamil rights.”

They added: “While the Tamil were a marginalised group within Sri Lanka, many of these people fled to the UK as victims of pogroms and atrocities committed by the Tigers during the dark days of the Civil War.”

Another student expressed similar concerns: “I was startled when it was brought to my attention, how the newsletter can be titled [around the] theme of ‘remembrance’ but is remembering the wrong group for all the wrong reasons.

“In my opinion, I thought it was disrespectful and inconsiderate as to how a group representing the values of the United Nations can condone and promote the activities of such a group, which is listed as a known terrorist organisation.”

In a statement to The Boar, Lalain Bilal, President of Warwick MUN, ‘sincerely apologised’ to those affected by the contents of the newsletter, while stressing that the views espoused were those of the author, and not the society as a whole.

Our aim is not to offend, target, or praise anyone, but rather to raise awareness about global issues through diverse perspectives

Lalain Bilal, Warwick MUN President

She said: “We would like to clarify, as mentioned in the newsletter, that we as a society do not promote any views published.

“The Global Issues Spotlight section aims to raise awareness of international affairs through opinion pieces. This was not our intention, and we deeply apologise for any hurt caused.”

She added: “Our aim is not to offend, target, or praise anyone, but rather to raise awareness about global issues through diverse perspectives.

“The MUN Society at our university serves as a dynamic platform for students to engage in diplomacy, debate, and problem-solving on a global scale. We foster critical thinking, negotiation skills, and a deep understanding of global affairs among members.”

Calling opinion pieces a “vital way to engage with complex topics”, she iterated that the society stood by “our commitment to raising awareness and providing a platform for freedom of speech, as any democratic organisation would”.

“If anyone has concerns or issues, we encourage them to reach out to our team so we can address and resolve them appropriately. We further emphasise that it was never our intention to hurt anyone’s personal feelings, and we remain committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful environment for all.”

According to the FBI, the LTTE were responsible for “mainstreaming” suicide bombing tactics [as well as ] inventing the suicide belt

The LTTE emerged in 1976 in response to systemic abuses against the Tamil population of Sri Lanka, fighting for an independent Tamil state in the northeast of the country. The group’s commencement of full-scale rebellion in 1983 sparked the Sri Lankan Civil War.

The group became notorious for numerous violations of international law, including the use of child soldiers,attacks on civilians, and ethnic cleansing.

According to the FBI, the LTTE were responsible for “mainstreaming” suicide bombing tactics, inventing the suicide belt, and pioneering the use of women in such attacks.

In 1990, the group carried out the ethnic cleansing of Muslims in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, forcibly removing 75,000 Muslims from the region.

The group have been designated as a terrorist group in the UK since 2001 under the Terrorism Act of 2000, along with  32 other countries including the US, India Canada and the European Union. According to the act, ”recklessly expressing support” for such groups is a crime under Section 12(1A).

One student emphasized to The Boar that while historical inequalities must be addressed, “modern Sri Lanka has seen people from all groups putting the past aside to work together”.

They expressed alarm at seeing what they called “the eulogisation of sectarian terrorist groups, that committed ethnic cleansing and pioneered suicide bombing as a legitimate tactic of insurgent warfare against innocent populations, within this university.”