Tamil activists and diaspora members protested in Geneva during a UNHRC session on Sri Lanka. The demonstration aimed to highlight ongoing human rights violations against Tamils and demand accountability for past atrocities. Activists presented a memorandum detailing their plight and called for global support in their struggle for justice and liberation.
Hundreds of Tamil activists, youth, and diaspora representatives gathered at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Monday. Their protest aimed to demand international justice regarding the Tamil genocide and the liberation of Tamil Eelam, coinciding with the UNHRC’s 58th session discussing Sri Lanka’s human rights record. The protest underscored ongoing concerns over Sri Lanka’s lack of accountability for historical war crimes committed against Tamils.
Organized by various Tamil organizations throughout Europe, the demonstration emphasized the urgency of addressing Sri Lanka’s persistent human rights abuses. Protesters highlighted the inability of successive Sri Lankan governments to provide justice for Tamils, who have faced widespread violations. Key issues included land confiscation, enforced disappearances, militarization of Tamil areas, and restrictions on commemorating past atrocities.
The Swiss Tamil Coordination Committee and the Swiss Tamil Youth Organisation presented a comprehensive memorandum to the UN Human Rights Committee. Activists engaged in a 30-minute dialogue, detailing violations faced by Tamils and pressed for international accountability to overcome decades of impunity within the Sri Lankan state. They highlighted the necessity for continued pressure from global entities on Sri Lanka.
The protest began with a ceremonial lighting of a general torch and the raising of the Tamil Eelam national flag by activist Raghuram. Protesters displayed various banners and chanted slogans advocating for Tamil self-determination. Speeches were delivered in multiple languages, including English and French, drawing attention to the systematic oppression of Tamils, and called for global solidarity in their quest for justice.
Members of the Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO) from across Europe pledged their allegiance to the Tamil struggle for liberation onstage. Their proclamation signified a commitment to uphold the fight for justice amid ongoing reviews of Sri Lanka’s human rights issues by international entities. Despite claims of a political shift by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, militarization and repression in Tamil regions persist, raising concerns about a genuine change in approach regarding human rights.
The protest at the UN in Geneva showcased the strong demand among Tamil activists for international justice regarding ongoing human rights abuses in Sri Lanka. The call for accountability reflects a broader concern over the impunity enjoyed by Sri Lankan authorities. As discussions on Sri Lanka’s human rights record continue, the international community faces pressure to respond effectively.
Original Source: www.tamilguardian.com
