Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, released a statement on the 41st anniversary of the anti-Tamil Black July pogroms, which saw the slaughter of over 3,000 Tamils, and renewed the country’s commitment to “demand accountability for human rights violations” on the island.
Trudeau’s statement further noted that:
“In 2022, the Parliament of Canada unanimously adopted a motion to make May 18 Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day– a recognition of Canada’s commitment to stand in solidarity with Tamil-Canadians and Tamil communities around the world in remembering and honouring the victims and survivors of these senseless acts of violence”.
He further highlighted that at time of the Black July riots, Canada established a “Special Measures program to help 1,800 Tamils relocate to safety in Canada and build new lives for themselves and their families”.
“On this day, I join Canadians in expressing my deepest condolences to all who have suffered and lost loved ones during Black July. Together, let us honour the victims of this tragedy and recommit to building a more inclusive and peaceful future, free of hate and violence, for people everywhere”.
Read the full statement here.
