Tamils gathered in Geneva to protest at the UNHRC, demanding justice for the genocide and liberation of Tamil Eelam. Highlighting Sri Lanka’s human rights violations, activists presented a memorandum while emphasizing the need for international accountability. The event featured speeches in several languages and showcased a commitment to the Tamil struggle for justice, despite the government’s ongoing militarization and repression.
On Monday, hundreds of Tamil activists and members of the diaspora convened outside the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, advocating for international justice regarding the Tamil genocide and the quest for a liberated Tamil Eelam. This protest coincided with the UNHRC’s 58th session, where the human rights situation in Sri Lanka was under scrutiny.
The demonstration, organized by Tamil organizations from across Europe, aimed to draw global attention to Sri Lanka’s ongoing human rights transgressions. Protesters highlighted the persistent failure of successive Sri Lankan governments to address war crimes and genocidal acts perpetrated against the Tamil population.
Representatives from the Swiss Tamil Coordination Committee and the Swiss Tamil Youth Organisation presented a memorandum to members of the UN Human Rights Committee, outlining ongoing violations faced by Tamils. These included land appropriation, enforced disappearances, militarization, and restrictions on memorialization, which necessitate sustained international attention and accountability.
The event commenced with the lighting of a ceremonial torch and the raising of the Tamil Eelam national flag by Mr. Raghuram, a Tamil activist based in Switzerland. Participants voiced their demands for Tamil self-determination through banners and slogans, reinforcing their calls for justice and recognition.
Various Tamil activists addressed the crowd in multiple languages, including English, French, German, and Italian, emphasizing the systematic oppression faced by Tamils and the importance of international solidarity in their struggle for justice. Members of the Tamil Youth Organisation publicly affirmed their commitment to ongoing advocacy for justice and liberation efforts.
As the UN Human Rights Council evaluated Sri Lanka’s human rights record, international critics underscored the government’s continued failures to achieve accountability. Despite assertions from Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake regarding a new political direction, militarization persists within the Tamil homeland, alongside the rejection of international accountability mechanisms and the repression of Tamil activists.
The protest at the UNHRC in Geneva underscores the urgent call for international recognition and justice for the Tamil community in Sri Lanka. Activists effectively brought to light the ongoing human rights violations and the lack of accountability by the Sri Lankan government. The event signifies a resolute commitment among Tamils, both in the homeland and abroad, to pursue justice and self-determination. Sustained global attention is essential to address these long-standing issues of oppression against the Tamil people.
Original Source: www.tamilguardian.com
