For Immediate Release
April 3, 2024

Markham, Canada – – As the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) draws to a close, Tamil Rights Group (TRG) seizes the moment to reflect on the discussions and developments that transpired throughout the session. With a particular focus on the remarks addressing the situation in Sri Lanka, TRG aims to shed light on the critical issues discussed, highlight TRG’s engagement, and emphasize the ongoing commitment to advocating for human rights and justice for the Tamil people.

On March 1st 2024, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, presented an oral update on the progress in reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka at the 55th session of the Human Rights Council Session in Geneva Switzerland.

TRG welcomed these remarks, particularly emphasising the acknowledgment that “sustainable peace and reconciliation will not be achieved in Sri Lanka with regressive laws and authoritarian approaches, which will only serve to perpetuate the human rights concerns of the past,” and that addressing the “root cause of the country’s conflict” was one of that factors that is crucial for genuine accountability and reconciliation.

The statement also highlighted concerns regarding Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, legislative developments impacting fundamental rights, ongoing human rights violations, unresolved cases of disappearances, land disputes, and the quest for truth and justice following the Easter Sunday bombings.

Nevertheless, it is essential to highlight our ongoing concern regarding the statement’s failure to explicitly recognize the significant impact on the Tamil people. Despite the thorough depiction of human rights violations and socio-economic challenges in Sri Lanka, there is a noticeable absence of specific acknowledgment of the disproportionate effect on the Tamil community. It is imperative to acknowledge and rectify this gap to ensure a comprehensive understanding that the primary victims alluded to in the statement are indeed Tamil. Recognizing the cultural identity of the victims is paramount in comprehensively examining the root causes of the conflict and understanding why the Sri Lankan government consistently neglects the importance of upholding human rights and protections for the Tamil people. Only through a clear acknowledgment of the significant impact on the Tamil people can the UN effectively hold the Sri Lankan government accountable for their post-war commitments to truth, accountability, and reconciliation.

On February 29th, a TRG delegation attended a private meeting with the Committee on Enforced disappearances and submitted a comprehensive report highlighting the grave concerns surrounding enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka, particularly affecting the Tamil community in the Northern and Eastern regions. The team discussed challenges to judicial independence, impunity, intimidation of victims’ families, shortcomings of the Office of Missing Persons, concerns with Sri Lanka’s legal framework, and observations on Sri Lanka’s most recent report. The committee welcomed TRG’s submission and formally requested information pertaining to specific cases deliberated upon during the meeting. Furthermore, the committee extended an open invitation to TRG to continue providing evidence regarding recent cases, as Sri Lanka is anticipated to submit another written response in June of 2024.

TRG also submitted three oral statements during this year session:

Item 3: Interactive dialogue on the issue of Enforced Disappearances in Sri Lanka, March 19, 2024

Delivered by : Ms. Uma Ruthiramoorthy, Legal Volunteer

During her speech, Ms. Ruthiramoorthy emphasized the troubling presence of the military and police, the absence of judicial independence, and the widely acknowledged impunity of perpetrators in cases of enforced disappearances. She called upon the UNHRC and member states to establish an independent investigative entity, appoint a Special Rapporteur, and to extend the term, mandate and powers of the Sri Lanka Accountability Project. These measures are deemed necessary to thoroughly investigate incidents and compile evidence for potential prosecution.

Item 8: General debate on the follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, March 27, 2024

Delivered by: Katpana Nagendra, General Secretary

During her address to the council, Ms. Nagendra underscored the ongoing violations of the Vienna Declaration perpetrated by the Sri Lankan government against the Tamil community in Eelam. She highlighted substantial evidence pointing to direct government complicity in grave offenses like extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. Despite widespread condemnation and demands for accountability, Sri Lanka persists in these egregious acts. Ms. Nagendra urged member states to take resolute measures, advocating for diplomatic pressure and sanctions. Additionally, she called for strengthening the mandate of the Sri Lanka Accountability Project and advocated for referring Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court for justice.

Item 8: General debate on the follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, March 27, 2024

Delivered by: Ms. Uma Ruthiramoorthy, Legal Volunteer

In her address, Ms. Ruthiramoorthy highlighted the persistent disregard by the Sri Lankan government, police, and armed officials to uphold the rights and protections contained in the Vienna Declaration, such as minority rights and the freedom from torture, which is in violation of sections 19 and 55 of the Vienna Declaration. She cited recent incidents, including the arbitrary imprisonment and assault of individuals celebrating a religious festival, as well as cases of arbitrary detention and torture leading to death. These incidents underscore a pattern of human rights violations against Tamils, contradicting promises of truth, accountability, and reconciliation made by the Sri Lankan government post-war. Urgency is emphasized as such violations are on the rise. She urged the UNHRC, UN agencies, and member states to pressure the Sri Lankan government to address these pressing issues and to end such practices, in alignment with the Vienna Declaration.

TRG remains deeply committed to advocating for the rights and well-being of the Tamil people and addressing the ongoing human rights violations in the region. We appreciate the efforts of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Committee on Enforced Disappearances in acknowledging and addressing these critical issues. However, we stress the importance of explicitly recognizing the disproportionate impact on the Tamil people in all discussions and actions. Moving forward, TRG will continue to engage with relevant bodies and stakeholders to ensure truth, justice, accountability, and the respect for human rights in Sri Lanka.

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For all media enquiries: Katpana Nagendra, General Secretary and Spokesperson | [email protected] | + 1 (778) 870-5824