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A sign held at Alex's funeral this week. It says, 'We want justice. We want justice'.
Diaspora Tamils from the same village as 25-year-old Nagarasa Alex, a Tamil youth who was tortured to death in Sri Lankan police custody, have demanded justice be served and the officers responsible held accountable.
In an open letter published this week, Tamils from Sithankerni in Jaffna who now reside in Europe have echoed calls from their hometown.
“What are the answers for our dear friend Alex's death due to police torture?” the letter asked.
“Will the relocation of the police killers compensate for his departed life? Is there no one to hold the police, who senselessly assaulted him until his kidneys failed, to account?”
Alex passed away on Sunday after being taken into Sri Lankan police custody and tortured. Shortly before he passed, Alex was seen on video giving a harrowing recount of his torture at the hands of Sri Lankan officers.
Read more: ‘They beat me whilst I was hanging there’
“If justice can't be upheld, is this a country? Or is this a cemetery?” the letter continued. "If this is not done, we hereby firmly pledge that we will take this to the Human Rights Council in Geneva and urge expedited action be taken against the murderers."
See the full text of the letter, in Tamil and English, below.
Nagaraja Alex
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of late Mr Nagaraja Alex of Siththankerni, who are no doubt consumed by grief.
What are the answers for our dear friend Alex's death due to police torture? Will the relocation of the police killers compensate for his departed life? Is there no one to hold the police, who senselessly assaulted him until his kidneys failed, to account?
Can the life of our Alex be brought back? What punishment is there for the policemen who blindly tortured him? Why is there this silence, still, despite hearing the statement made by our Alex before his murder?
If justice can't be upheld, is this a country? Or is this a cemetery?
What is the reason behind the policemen responsible for Alex's death not being brought before the courts and punished?
Is the officer in charge of Vaddukoddai police station unaware of this matter? Is there no connection between him and this incident? Why the delay in punishing him?
The real burglars must be found and our Alex must be exonerated.
Further, police officers responsible for Alex's death must be punished appropriately.
If this is not done, we hereby firmly pledge that we will take this to the Human Rights Council in Geneva and urge expedited action be taken against the murderers.
From
Kalaivani Rd, Sithankerni residents, currently living in Europe
