Tamil Activists Demand Justice During UN Review of Sri Lanka’s Human Rights Record

Tamils protested outside the UNHRC in Geneva, demanding justice for genocide and the liberation of Tamil Eelam. The event coincided with discussions on Sri Lanka’s human rights record, during which activists highlighted ongoing abuses and the need for accountability. Speeches emphasized oppression and solidarity, as participants pledged to continue their struggle for justice.

On Monday, hundreds of Tamil activists, youth, and members of the diaspora congregated outside the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, advocating for international justice regarding the Tamil genocide and the liberation of Tamil Eelam. This protest aligned with the UNHRC’s 58th session, which focused on addressing Sri Lanka’s human rights record and the persistent lack of accountability for violations.

Organised by various Tamil organisations throughout Europe, the demonstration aimed to highlight Sri Lanka’s ongoing human rights abuses and the repeated failure of its governments to achieve justice for war crimes and genocide against Tamils. The Swiss Tamil Coordination Committee and the Swiss Tamil Youth Organisation presented a memorandum to the UN Human Rights Committee, underlining the continuous violations faced by Tamils, including land confiscations, enforced disappearances, and militarisation.

The protest commenced with Mr. Raghuram, a Tamil activist from Switzerland, lighting a general torch and raising the Tamil Eelam national flag. Participants displayed banners and chanted slogans advocating for Tamil self-determination. Additionally, Tamil activists delivered speeches in various languages, such as English, French, German, and Italian, emphasizing the systematic oppression of Tamils and the importance of global solidarity in the quest for justice.

Members of the Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO) from across Europe participated vocally, pledging their commitment to the Tamil struggle for justice and liberation on stage. This protest coincided with the UN Human Rights Council’s review of Sri Lanka’s human rights practices, during which international stakeholders criticized the government’s ongoing shortcomings in addressing accountability and impunity.

Despite the claims of a new political direction proclaimed by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the realities on the ground reveal continued militarisation of the Tamil homeland, a refusal to accept international accountability, and the ongoing persecution of Tamil activists. This situation has prompted calls for sustained advocacy and global engagement for justice.

In conclusion, the protest in Geneva highlighted the urgent need for international attention to human rights violations faced by Tamils in Sri Lanka. Activists underscored the importance of global accountability mechanisms to address the historical injustices endured by the Tamil community. With continued militarization and repression, the call for justice and self-determination remains a critical issue that demands international intervention and support.

Original Source: www.tamilguardian.com