In a joint statement, over 100 Tamil diaspora organisations worldwide have called for Sri Lanka to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC), rejecting the idea that the country should be given more time to implement the co-sponsored UN Human Rights Council resolution.
"Giving extension of time will permanently deny justice for Tamils," the groups argued, calling instead to:
"Refer Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court (ICC) or to a specially created international criminal tribunal for Sri Lanka" and "appoint a UN Special Rapporteur for Sri Lanka, to monitor and report to the Council every six months about the plight of the war affected and other international human rights and humanitarian issues."
The 109 organisations include:
1. World Thamil Organization (WTO)
2. Federation of Tamil Sangams in North America (FetNA)
3. ILangai Tamil Sangam: New York - USA
4. Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE)
5. The International Council of Eelam Tamils (ICET)
6. National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT): Canada
7. US Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC): USA
8. British Tamil Forum (BTF): UK
9. Australian Tamil Congress (ATC): Australia
10. Selangor Tamil Sangam (Malaysia)
11. South African Tamil Federation: South Africa
12. Federation of Indian Non-Governmental Organisations (Malaysia)
13. Tamil Solidarity Mauritius: Mauritius
14. MYANMAAR TAMIL SANGAM: Burma
15. National council of New Zealand Tamils: New Zealand
16. Dutch Tamil Forum: Netherland
17. Archway Murugan Temple - London
18. Italian Council of Tamils: Italy
19. Suara Rakyat Malaysia - Human Rights Organization: Malaysia
20. Council of Eelam Tamils in Germany: Germany
21. Norwegian Council of Eelam Tamils: Norway
22. Campaign for Tamil Justice: Australia
23. Maison du Tamil Eelam France: France
24. Avarangal Makkal Onrium: Canada
25. Panai Nilam Tamil Sangam, Charleston: USA
26. North American Tamils (NAT): USA
27. Pandidurai Thevar Tamil Sangam: Syracuse – USA
28. The Tamils of Greater Rochester: USA
29. Tamil cultural centre Belgium: Belgium
30. Finland Tamil Forum: Finland
31. National council of Sweden Tamils: Sweden
32. Danish Federation of Tamil Associations: Denmark
33. Swiss Council of Eelam Tamils: Switzerland
34. Scotland Tamil Council: Scotland
35. Wales Tamil Council: Wales
36. Mauritius Tamil Temples Federation: Mauritius
37. Socialist Party Mauritius: Mauritius
38. Movement Against Tamils Genocide: Mauritius
39. Solidarity Group for Peace and Justice in Sri Lanka: South Africa
40. Pungudutivu welfare association: London
41. Saiva Munetha Sangam: London
42. Sri Murugan temple: London
43. Yaal Gnasariar College Alumni Union: London
44. Tamil Canadian Cultural & Sports Association: Canada
45. MOUVEMENT AGAINTS TAMIL GENOCIDE IN SRI LANKA: MAURITIUS
46. MAURITIUS TAMIL TEMPLES FEDERATION: MAURITIUS
47. SOLIDARITY PARTY: MAURITIUS
48. TAMIL COUNCIL: MAURITIUS
49. TAMIL LEAQUE: MAURITIUS
50. UNION TAMIL: MAURITIUS
51. MAURITIUS TAMIL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: MAUIRITIUS
52. TAMIL FEDERATION REUNION ISLAND: REUNION
53. SORTIR DE COLONIALISM: FRANCE
54. Tamil refugees center Melbourne: Australia
55. Child Development Initiative: Malaysia
56. Academy of Tamil Studies: Malaysia
57. Malaysian Indian Business Association: Malaysia
58. Education and Research Association of Consumer: Malaysia
59. Malaysian Dravidian Association: Malaysia
60. Group of Concerned Citizens: Malaysia
61. Malaysia Hindu Sevai Sangam: Malaysia
62. Malaysian Indian Development Association
63. Malaysian Association of Indian University Graduates
64. Federation of Indian Non-Governmental Organisations
65. Rudra Devi Samaj Malaysia
66. Malaysia Arulneri Thirukootam
67. Malaysian Indian Metal Traders Association
68. Persatuan Sangkara Malaysia
69. Malaysian Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
70. Malaysian Indian Historical Association
71. Nationwide Human Development And Research Centre
72. Thiruvarul Thavaneri Mandram Malaysia
73. Persatuan Meditasi Malaysia (Dhyana Ashram)
74. Malaysian Indian Youth Development Foundation
76. Klang Consumer Association
77. Penang Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
78. Thiruvalluvar Nanneri Mayam Cameron Highlands
79. Persatuan Kebajikan Dan Sosial Kamakshi Wilayah Utara
80. World Tamil Federation: Malaysian Chapter
81. Malaysia Indian Progressive Educational Society
82. Astronomical Research Society of Selangor State
83. Malaysia Lekshmi Pooja Meditation Society
84. Persatuan Prihatin Belia Malaysia
85. Persatuan Kemajuan Pendidikan Malaysia
86. Persatuan Seni kebudayaan Thamil, Pulau Pinang
87. Malaysia Tamil Neri Kalagam
88. Malaysia Tamil Artiste Association
89. Centre of Education. Research and Development (CEDAR)
90. Malaysia Hindu Associates of Graduates
91. Persatuan Silambam Malaysia
92. Indian Malaysian Active Generation (IMAGE)
93. Kuala Lumpur Hindu Youth Organisation (KLHYO)
94. Tamilar Sangam, Teluk Intan
95. Hindu Youth Organization
96. Gabungan Pertubuhan-pertubuhan Masyarakat India Selangor
97. Saiva Nartpani Mandram Malaysia
98. Federasi Kaum Tamil Sedunia Malaysia
99. Persatuan Kebajikan India Malaysia
100. Sri Vadivelu Culture & Welfare Association State of Selangor
101. Selangor Indian Video Graphics Association
102. Persatuan Pembaca Tamil Klang
103. Klang Valarum Kalai Pannai
104. Pamban Swami Maha Teja Mandala Sabai
105. Seremban Tamilar Sangam
106. Persahabatan Semparuthi
107. Johor Tamizhar Sangam
108. Semparuthi Iyakkam
109. Kuala Lumpur Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals
Families of the disappeared protesting in Vavuniya on January 31, 2019
The call by the Tamil diaspora organisations echoes that of Tamils in the North-East, who have been protesting over recent weeks across the region, rejecting the prospect of a further extension on the resolution, and instead demanding Sri Lanka be referred to the ICC.
The resolution was due to be debated at the current UNHRC session in Geneva following a two year extension granted in 2017. However, reports suggest the resolution will be rolled over again by another two years.
This article has been amended to remove 'Malaysian Ceylon Saivites Association' from the list of signatories.
