Protest To Be held Today Emphasizing International Justice Mechanism

26-Jul-2025

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A massive public protest emphasizing the need for an international justice mechanism is being organized today (July 26) across the Northern and Eastern provinces by the North-East Civil Movement.

This protest is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. in all eight districts of the North and East. Specific locations include: the mass grave site in Chemmani (Jaffna), near the Mullaitivu District Secretariat, near the Kandhaswamy Temple (Kilinochchi), near the new bus stand (Vavuniya), in the town area (Mannar), in the Thirukkovil area (Ampara), at Gandhi Park (Batticaloa), and near the Sivan Temple (Trincomalee).

A media statement released by the North-East Civil Movement states the following: "We, the Tamil people, have been compelled to take to the streets in protest to ensure the United Nations Human Rights Council’s resolution on Sri Lanka in September strengthens accountability for crimes committed against humanity and war crimes. Over the years, resolutions on Sri Lanka have been tabled at the UNHRC, often with the co-sponsorship of the Sri Lankan government. However, none of these have brought meaningful benefits to the Tamil people, especially those in the North and East.

We are disappointed that the recent visit of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Sri Lanka failed to address the ongoing and serious issues faced by the Tamil people. The subsequent report issued after their visit did not contain substantial recommendations for resolving our concerns.

Similarly, a recent media interview given by the UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka did not reflect any meaningful solutions to our issues. The local mechanisms of the Sri Lankan government have repeatedly failed to provide justice to Tamil victims. Therefore, we continue to insist that only international mechanisms can deliver justice.

In this context, we reject the position conveyed in reports and interviews that internal mechanisms alone can solve the crisis. Thus, reiterating the need for international justice, we call on all people to join this massive protest across the North and East.

Simultaneously, a protest by the North-East and Hill Country Joint Alliance will be held in front of the UN Office in Colombo."