- Title
- Human rights for or by the people? Securing economic, social and cultural rights in a post-war/post-conflict context
- Creator
- Fernando, Dinesha
- Date
- 2023
- Type
- Text; Thesis; PhD
- Identifier
- http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/192287
- Identifier
- vital:17955
- Abstract
- This grounded theory (GT) study explores the economic, social and cultural (ESC) conditions and associated rights in post-war Sri Lanka during the past 10 years (2009– 2019). Tamils have been left in a challenging position after the war in terms of how other citizens have been perceiving them and their uniqueness has been disputed in terms of their rights. The overall position of the Tamils in the country has changed in recent history, which is a unique situation not only for the Tamils but also for the whole country. The 30-year Sri Lankan civil war is an important example of transformations during resettlement and the transitions back to normalcy. For many years, the war produced serious loss of life, assets and property, and in addition to these losses, the majority of people were affected either directly or indirectly. It is probably without choice that over the past decades, the Sri Lankans have faced significant economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) challenges, especially in the north of the country. In the 10 years since the Sri Lankan Government brought an end to the devastating civil war, the country has seen improvements in the overall security and freedom of movement, infrastructure, investment, and growth; yet there remain many ESCR challenges. This thesis identifies the forces that have been acting for and against securing ESCR for minority Tamils in post-war Sri Lanka. Specifically, the thesis identifies the strategies to secure ESCR in a post-war situation when ESCR are absent or insecure. The grounded-up nature of this thesis explores capturing the ESCR-related post-war experiences, attributes and learnings rather than gathering facts and describing acts. The thesis was designed to address the research questions in a direct manner: (1) What are the forces acting for and against securing ESCR for minority Tamils in post-war Sri Lanka; and (2) What would be the most effective strategies for securing ESCR for minority Tamils in post-war Sri Lanka? This constructivist grounded theory study collected qualitative data through in-depth, one-on-one semi-structured interviews and observations. In an effort to chart and examine what individuals and communities do in the absence of secure ESCR, I uncovered surprising and interesting coping strategies adopted by communities in their efforts to secure ESCR. A significant aim of this study was to share the results/findings with regional policymakers, especially in the north of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, with the availability of funds, this study could be expanded to incorporate a larger context in the form of a book published to assist in improving the lives of war-affected victims’ in terms of future access, promotion, protection and enjoyment of ESCR.; Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- Federation University Australia
- Rights
- All metadata describing materials held in, or linked to, the repository is freely available under a CC0 licence
- Rights
- Copyright @ Dinesha Fernando
- Rights
- Partial release by author, restricted access to pages i to xv; and pages 258 to 277 (References), all other pages embargoed
- Subject
- Minority Tamils; Post-war Sri Lanka; Post-conflict Sri Lanka; Grounded Theory; Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; ESCR; Human Rights; Women Rights; Civil and Political Rights; Asian Values; Coping strategies; Coping mechanisms; Land rights; Social rights; Economic rights; Cultural rights; Social animation; Civil society; LGBTIQ+; Caste studies; Post-war resettlement; Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission
- Full Text
- Thesis Supervisor
- Smith, Jeremy
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