Today, we remember those who lost their lives – and those who went missing, were injured, or were displaced – during the armed conflict in Sri Lanka. We also honour the resilience of their loved ones, who continue to live with the effects of this tragedy. https://t.co/snbcHsxKlD
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 18, 2022
Canadian politicians have called for justice and accountability for Tamil genocide committed by Sri Lanka at the end of the armed conflict.
In a statement, Justin Trudeau, Canada's prime minister, said:
"Over the years, I have met with the Tamil community, and others affected by the war in Sri Lanka and their experiences remind us of the ongoing need to achieve lasting peace and reconciliation.
Canada continues to call on Sri Lanka to fulfill its commitment to establish a meaningful accountability process that provides justice for victims and survivors, and we will keep working as a member of the core group on Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council to ensure accountability and reconciliation. Canada also continues to offer its support to the Government of Sri Lanka in taking concrete action to uphold its human rights obligations, and to all those working toward peace and reconciliation in the country."
He also encouraged Canadians to "reach out to their Tamil neighbours, and others affected by the armed conflict in Sri Lanka, to express their solidarity."
Conservative leader, Candice Bergen issued a statement to mark 13 years since the massacre at Mullivaikkal.
See a full transcript of her statement below:
“Today we mark the 13th anniversary of the Mullivaikkal massacre. We remember the victims and the tens of thousands of lives tragically lost near the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War.
“Thirteen years later, the wounds, trauma and scars of that conflict persist within the Sri Lankan Tamil community in Canada and around the world. Nonetheless, the resilience of the Tamil community has ensured that its people and culture endure and continue to flourish.
“On this day of remembrance, I offer my deepest condolences to the survivors and their families, and to all those who are living with the pain of this conflict. I stand with you in the search for truth and justice, and I share your desire to create a better and more just world.
“On behalf of the Conservative Party of Canada, I hope all Canadians will take time today to recognize the significant contributions Canadians of Tamil origin continue to make to our country, as well as the hardships they have overcome.”
On Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, we remember those that were massacred and disappeared by the Sri Lankan state
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) May 18, 2022
And, on this day and every day, New Democrats stand with the community in seeking an investigation into these acts of genocide and accountability for the perpetrators
New Democratic Party Leader, Jagmeet Singh issued a statement and called for investigations into "acts of genocide" and marked that on "Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, we remember those that were massacred and disappeared by the Sri Lankan state"
On Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, we remember those that were massacred and disappeared by the Sri Lankan state And, on this day and every day, New Democrats stand with the community in seeking an investigation into these acts of genocide and accountability for the perpetrators
On this tragic anniversary, we stand in solidarity with Canada’s Tamil community and all those affected by the armed conflict in Sri Lanka. https://t.co/nsrZFXX0Vm
— Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) May 18, 2022
Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland tweeted in solidarity "On this tragic anniversary, we stand in solidarity with Canada’s Tamil community and all those affected by the armed conflict in Sri Lanka."
Leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP). Andrea Horwath issued a statement in solidarity to mark 13 years since the massacre at Mullaivaikkal.
See her full transcript of her statement below:
"Vanakkam, this May marks 13 years since the Mullivaikkal Massacre. The Ontario NDP and I stand in solidarity with the Tamil community during this time of mourning for the victims of the Tamil genocide. Hundreds of thousands of innocent Tamil lives were lost in this extreme violence. New Democrats will always be your allies in the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability for this historical truth.
For decades, generations of New Democrats have been proud to stand with you. Whether it was during the Gardiner Expressway blockade in 2009 or through hosting the very first Tamil Genocide Memorial at Queens Park; advocating for Tamil genocide education in our province or joining you at community events throughout the year. New Democrats are here for Tamil Canadians."
Neethan Shanmugarajah, Ontario NDP Candidate for Scarborough Centre also released a statement in Tamil highlighting the plight of Tamil activists and journalists attacked by the Sri Lankan state and called for justice, peace and recognition for the people of Tamil Eelam.
See his full statement below
"The work of Tamil activists, journalists and students in Sri Lanka and around the world have been attacked for decades and we continue to see attempts to silence and eliminate Tamil voices. Despite this, the Tamil community has persevered and advocates for what is right.
Throught everything the Tamil community has endured, we continue to have hope that there will be justice, peace and recognition for the people of Tamil Eelam."
Garnett Genuis, MP for Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan, released a video, highlighting that "the [Sri Lankan] government shelled civilians, No Fire Zones and hospitals. Subsequently, internally displaced persons faced torture and the use of torture in Sri Lanka remains an ongoing concern."
"Progress in the search for justice and reconicliaiton is slow or non-existsent," he added.
Today, I express my solidarity and thoughts with the families and loves ones who must live with the aftermath of the massacre in Mullivaikkal and the armed conflict in Sri Lanka. We will continue to work together for peace and reconciliation in the country. https://t.co/G7xa79WXfa
— Mark Holland (@markhollandlib) May 18, 2022
Mark Holland, MP for Ajax, tweeted expressing his "solidarity and thoughts with the families and loves ones who must live with the aftermath of the massacre in Mullivaikkal and the armed conflict in Sri Lanka". He pledged to continue to work for "peace and reconciliation" in the country.
"Today, I express my solidarity and thoughts with the families and loves ones who must live with the aftermath of the massacre in Mullivaikkal and the armed conflict in Sri Lanka. We will continue to work together for peace and reconciliation in the country."
Mayor @patrickbrownont and #Brampton City Council proclaim today Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day in Brampton.
— City of Brampton (@CityBrampton) May 18, 2022
The @CityBrampton joins the Tamil community in its annual observance of this day to remember the innocent lives lost and honour the survivors. pic.twitter.com/CP0ROOG7Xm
Mayor Patrick Brown issued a proclamation on behalf of the City of Brampton marking Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day. The proclamation highlights that "May 18 serves as a reminder of the Tamil ethnic cleansing" and the "severe persecution, human rights violations... and genocide" Tamils in Sri Lanka were subject to.
See a full transcript of the proclamation below:
“The Tamils in Sri Lanka were subject to severe persecution, human rights violations, ethnic cleansing and genocide based on their ethnicity.
Over 40,000 Tamil civilians lost their lives during the last stages of the war in May 2009 and over 100,000 lives were lost in the three decades of struggle for human rights in Sri Lanka since 1983.
The 300,000 Tamils who have made Canada their home have worked hard to rebuild their lives in their new found home. They have greatly enriched our country through their leadership in business, academia, government, science, and the arts, and have inspired the young generation to become successful and contributing citizens.
May 18 serves as a reminder of the Tamil ethnic cleansing and provides an opportunity for the survivors in Canada and around the world to reflect on the enduring lessons of ethnic cleansing and genocide and redirect efforts to peace and the protection of human rights.
The City of Brampton joins the Canadian Tamil community in its annual observance of the Tamil Memorial Day on May 18th to remember the innocent civilian lives lost, honor the survivors and the importance of protecting human rights and eliminating hatred among our communities."
Aujourd’hui, on se souvient de ceux qui ont perdu la vie ou qui ont été blessés, déplacés ou portés disparus pendant le conflit armé au Sri Lanka. On souligne aussi la résilience de leurs proches, qui subissent encore les effets de cette tragédie. https://t.co/EaAlNKHMWe
— Viviane Lapointe (@VivianeLapointe) May 18, 2022
Viviane Lapointe, Federal Member of Parliament for Sudbury, also tweeted a commemorative message, stating that she wanted to 'highlight the resilience of their loved ones, who are still suffering the effects of this tragedy".
