Hundreds of Tamil activists protested outside the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, demanding justice for genocide and human rights violations in Sri Lanka. The event coincided with discussions on Sri Lanka’s human rights record, emphasizing the need for accountability. Tamil organizations highlighted ongoing abuses, calling for global assistance in their quest for justice and self-determination.
In Geneva, hundreds of Tamil activists, youth, and diaspora members convened outside the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Monday to advocate for international justice regarding the Tamil genocide and the liberation of occupied Tamil Eelam. This protest coincided with the UNHRC’s 58th session during which Sri Lanka’s human rights record and ongoing lack of accountability were under scrutiny.
Organized by various Tamil associations from across Europe, the demonstration aimed to highlight human rights violations in Sri Lanka and the consistent failures of its governments to provide justice for the war crimes and genocide against the Tamil community. The Swiss Tamil Coordination Committee and the Swiss Tamil Youth Organisation submitted a memorandum to the UN Human Rights Committee, articulating the continuous violations faced by Tamils, including land grabs and enforced disappearances.
During a 30-minute dialogue, Tamil activists urged UN officials to exert pressure on Sri Lanka and called for international accountability mechanisms to confront the longstanding impunity enjoyed by the Sri Lankan state. The event commenced with Mr. Raghuram, a Tamil activist from Switzerland, lighting a general torch and hoisting the Tamil Eelam national flag, while protesters raised banners advocating for Tamil self-determination.
A series of speeches were delivered in several languages, emphasizing the systemic oppression of the Tamil population and highlighting the critical need for global solidarity in the quest for justice. Additionally, members of the Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO) from various European countries pledged an oath on stage, reaffirming their commitment to the Tamil struggle for justice and liberation.
The protest unfolded as the UN Human Rights Council evaluated Sri Lanka’s human rights record, amidst international criticism of the Sri Lankan government’s ongoing inaction regarding accountability and impunity. Despite assertions from Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake regarding a new political direction, the government has persisted in militarizing the Tamil homeland and rejecting international accountability efforts, in addition to continuing the harassment of Tamil activists.
The recent protest by Tamil activists in Geneva underscores the urgent call for international intervention regarding human rights violations in Sri Lanka. As the UN Human Rights Council examines the country’s record, the Tamil community remains steadfast in its pursuit of justice and accountability for historical injustices. The demonstration not only highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Tamils but also emphasizes the importance of global solidarity in the fight for their rights.
Original Source: www.tamilguardian.com
