Twelve years on, there is no accountability for the enormous loss of life, crimes against humanity and war
crimes, human rights abuses and the genocidal massacres. The Sri Lankan state has rejected international
demands for an investigation into the killing of civilians, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Across the world, in May, the Tamil community conducts memorialisation services and activities in order
to honour the dead and keep the memory of atrocity alive. The two days in May mark an important
occasion for collective mourning, reflection and education.
Nelson Mandela said, “Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people”. Bishop
Joseph was undoubtedly a ‘real leader’ for the Sri Lankan community, and the Sri Lankan people have
lost a true humanitarian. Speaking about Sri Lanka he said, “It is one country many nations. It is similar
to India which has many nations in one country”. Bishop Joseph called for the recognition of the Tamil
people as a nation (meaning a people with their own heritage) which was crucial to bringing about peace
in Sri Lanka.
Bishop Rayappu Joseph will be remembered and recognised for his contribution to social justice and
human rights in Sri Lanka and his stand on the legitimacy of political rights of the Tamil people of Sri
Lanka.
The TIC wishes to express concern that it has taken more than ten years for the UNHRC to adopt a meaningful Resolution. The agony of the people meanwhile, particularly the minority communities, has deepened with continuing human rights violations by the State and its agents. The Sri Lankan government failure to investigate and act on human rights violations and war crimes has obstructed meaningful reconciliation. The 2021 Resolution authorization of the Office of the High Commissioner to collect, consolidate, analyse and preserve information and evidence of gross violations of human rights and humanitarian law and the continued reporting and the attention of the UNHRC will assist in monitoring human rights concerns and advancing accountability in Sri Lanka.
The 2021 UNHRC Resolution is an important step forward. The TIC calls upon the UNHRC and member states to act promptly and effectively to implement the provisions of the Resolution. Delay would encourage further human rights violations and suffering.
A Metropolitan police probe into alleged war crimes against Tamils civilians by British mercenaries has now progressed to a full investigation, following evidence filed by the Tamil Information Centre.
The Tamil Information Centre (TIC) is concerned that burial methods adopted by the Sri Lankan government during the Covid-19 pandemic are infringing on the human rights of minority communities.
The Tamil Information Centre (TIC) strongly condemns the horrific bomb blasts aimed at civilians in churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, on Easter Sunday, 21 April 2019.
Mr Vairamuttu Varadakumar of the London-based Tamil Information Centre (TIC) died on 12 March 2019 in the Kingston, UK. His sudden exit from our midst has come as a shock to people who knew him and those who depended on his work.
