Tamil families of the disappeared are protesting across the North-East today to mark International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
The families who have been demanding answers about the fate of their forcibly disappeared loved ones, who in most cases were forcibly disappeared at the hands of Sri Lanka's security forces. Tamil families have spent years demanding an international investigation into the enforced disappearances and the Tamil genocide as countless domestic mechanisms have failed to provide any justice or accountability.
Mullaitivu
In Mullaitivu, the families of the disappeared are also marking 2,000 days since they began their continuous roadside protest in 2017. Despite multiple pledges from various Sri Lankan administrations, there has not been any accountability for those who were forcibly disappeared at the hands of the Sri Lankan state.
In an act of solidarity, traders in Puthukudiyiruppu closed their businesses to support the families on their 2000th day of protest.
Jaffna
A similar protest was held outside the UNHCR office in Jaffna.
Mannar
Tamil civil society organisations and activists joined Tamil families of the disappeared as they marched through Mannar, clutching photographs of their loved ones.
Speaking to reporters at the rally, the families highlighted that over a decade has passed since the end of the armed conflict but the Sri Lankan state have not addressed any of the demands of the Tamil families.
Vavuniya
Tamil families of the disappeared also rallied in Vavuniya and reaffirmed their calls for an international investigation into the disappearances of their relatives and for war criminals including Gotabaya and Mahinda Rajapaksa, to be held to account for their crimes.
“Tamils want ICC, not Sri Lankan kangaroo court, Tamils want referendum, not 13th amendment," the banners read.
The families told reporters:
"We will continue this struggle until our disappeared children are found. In this struggle, we will continue to fight for a political solution that protects Tamils in a safe, sovereign Tamil homeland from future genocides against Tamils by the Sinhalese regime in Sri Lanka."
Batticaloa
In Batticaloa, Tamil families of the disappeared also held a protest to mark the day. The families read out a letter that they had sent to the UN Human Rights Council ahead of it's next session in September where Sri Lanka will be on the agenda.
