Hundreds of Tamil activists protested outside the UNHRC in Geneva, calling for international justice for Tamil genocide and emphasizing the need for accountability in Sri Lanka. They presented a memorandum detailing ongoing human rights violations and expressed determination to continue their struggle for justice. The protest coincided with the UN’s review of Sri Lanka’s human rights record, reinforcing global solidarity for Tamil self-determination.
On Monday, hundreds of Tamil activists, including youth and diaspora members, assembled outside the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. Their demonstration aimed to call for international justice concerning the Tamil genocide and the liberation of Tamil Eelam, coinciding with the UNHRC’s 58th session, which focused on Sri Lanka’s human rights record and ongoing accountability issues.
The protest was organized by Tamil organizations from across Europe to shed light on Sri Lanka’s persistent human rights violations and the failure for successive governments to provide justice for the war crimes and genocide against Tamils. Activists from the Swiss Tamil Coordination Committee and the Swiss Tamil Youth Organisation presented a memorandum to members of the UN Human Rights Committee, outlining the continuous violations faced by Tamils, such as land grabs and enforced disappearances.
The event commenced with the lighting of the general torch and the raising of the Tamil Eelam national flag by Mr. Raghuram, a Tamil activist from Switzerland. Demonstrators showcased banners and chanted slogans advocating for Tamil self-determination, while speeches were delivered in various languages, including English, French, German, and Italian, to emphasize the systemic oppression of Tamils and the necessity for global commitment to justice.
Members of the Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO) from across Europe took a solemn oath to sustain their commitment to the Tamil struggle for justice and liberation during the event. This protest took place against the backdrop of an international review of Sri Lanka’s human rights practices, wherein significant critique was directed at the government’s failure to address accountability and ongoing impunity for violations.
Despite Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s assertions of pursuing a new political course, the continued militarization of the Tamil homeland, rejection of international accountability, and harassment of Tamil activists persist.
The protest at the UNHRC highlighted the Tamil community’s urgent calls for accountability and justice regarding historical human rights violations in Sri Lanka. Activists expressed deep concerns over ongoing oppression and called for international mechanisms to ensure accountability. Despite governmental assurances of change, the realities on the ground indicate continued violations and militarization of Tamil lands, underlining the need for sustained global advocacy.
Original Source: www.tamilguardian.com
