Tamil families of the disappeared reiterate call for international mechanism

Tamil relatives and family members of the disappeared, as well as representatives of the Missing Person’s Associations from the North-East, met with the General Secretary of Amnesty International Agnes Callamard to reiterate their call for an international mechanism to account for atrocities committed by the Sri Lankan government.

Speaking at length with her in Mullaitivu, the women urged Callamard to ensure justice for them and the survivors of the genocide. During their engagement with her, they emphasized that the Tamils have no faith in any domestic mechanism or attempts to reconcile through various Sri Lankan government-led commissions. 

The families rejected any notion of a "hybrid" mechanism with state involvement, noting that the Sri Lankan government had 15 years to do so, but only produced countless reports and instituted several commissions. The Tamil women also highlighted to Callamard the many instances the Sri Lankan government has attempted to thwart Mullivaikkal commemoration events throughout the North-East. 

Speaking at the event Callamard said that she would "certainly would want governments and states to bring this issue to the attention of the Security Council, so that the Security Council can possibly act and demand an International Criminal Court investigation".

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