As Britain’s new prime minister Keir Starmer takes up office this week, we look back on his previous statements on the British Tamil community, his calls for Sri Lanka to be referred to the International Criminal Court and on justice for mass atrocities committed against the Tamil people.
Earlier this year, Starmer released a message to commemorate the “15th year Mullivaikkal Genocide Remembrance Day,” paying tribute to the tens of thousands of Tamils killed in 2009.
“Mullivaikkal must also be a reminder that as well as commemorating those who are lost, we must bring the perpetrators of atrocities to justice,” he said.
“As Tamil communities across our country pause and reflect upon this solemn day, the Labour Party reaffirms our commitment to work towards lasting peace, reconciliation and a long-lasting political solution for the Tamil people.”
Read more: UK Labour Leader releases statement for ‘Mullivaikkal Genocide Remembrance Day’
Earlier this year, Starmer released a statement for the Tamil festival of Thai Pongal stating it was also a “time for us to remember the sacrifices made by the Tamil people for self determination, peace and justice in Sri Lanka”.
In May 2023, on the 14th anniversary of the Mullivaikkal genocide, Starmer released a statement that said,
"As Tamil communities across our country pause and reflect upon this solemn day, the Labour Party reaffirms our commitment to secure justice for those Tamil victims who lost their lives, as well as the survivors and their families by urging the government to consider the recommendation of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for an international justice mechanism".
At the time, then Shadow Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, has urged the British government to act upon the recommendations of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and refer Sri Lankan war criminals to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Read more: UK Shadow Foreign Secretary calls for Sri Lanka to be referred to ICC
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In January 2023, Starmer raised concern over the continued persecution of Tamils in Sri Lanka in his Thai Pongal message and stressed the need for accountability and justice.
Whilst celebrating the harvest festival, Starmer also stressed that now is a time “to remember the sacrifices made by the Tamil people for self-determination, peace, and justice in Sri Lanka”.
He goes on to state his deep concern over “the ongoing economic crisis, persecution of the Tamil people, and the political instability in Sri Lanka”.
Read more: UK Labour Party Leader raises concern over ‘persecution of Tamils’ in Pongal message
In May 2022, Starmer called for Sri Lanka to be referred to the International Criminal Court noting that "the perpetrators of these atrocities still have not been brought to justice".
“The Labour Party stands with the Tamil community as we pause and reflect on this day,” he said.
“Today, the Labour Party recommits to securing justice for the families of those who died and the survivors who suffered such grave human rights violations. We urge the UK Government to stand with the Tamils and heed the recommendations of the UN High Commissioner to refer the perpetrators of atrocities to the International Criminal Court.”
Read more: British MP’s mark Mullivaikkal remembrance, Labour leader calls for Sri Lanka to be sent to ICC
In January 2022, Starmer tweeted “Labour will always stand by the Tamil people in their pursuit of true peace and justice”.
Thai Pongal Valthukkal! On behalf of @UKLabour I wish Tamils in the UK and across the world a happy and bountiful Pongal.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) January 14, 2022
Labour will always stand by the Tamil people in their pursuit of true peace and justice.
In May 2021, Starmer reemphasised Labour's commitments to establishing an international accountability mechanism and called on Britain to impose sanctions on Sri Lankan government officials and military personnel responsible for war crimes.
“We call on the British government to deploy human rights sanctions against senior Sri Lankan government officials and military personnel so that the perpetrators of all alleged mass atrocity crimes and serious human rights violations can be held accountable and brought to justice.”
Read more: British politicians demand sanctions and international justice on Mullivaikkal anniversary
In January 2021, Starmer expressed his gratitude "for the huge contribution the Tamil community has made during the pandemic."
He also raised concerns over Sri Lanka's decision to withdraw from the 2015 UN Human Rights Council Resolution on accountability, justice and reconciliation and called on the UK "to lead and be a strong voice on international accountability."
Read more: UK Labour leader raises ‘deep concerns’ over Sri Lanka during Thai Pongal message
In 2020, Starmer said his thoughts are “with the British Tamil Community as they mark the 11th anniversary of Mullivaikkal, a day of remembrance to honour the memory of those victims who were killed and disappeared in the final weeks of the civil war in Sri Lanka”.
“Though communal acts of remembrance are not possible at this time, I know that Tamil communities across our country will be united together as they pause and reflect upon this solemn day,” he added.
“Mullivaikkal must also be a reminder that as well as commemorating those who are lost, we must bring the perpetrators of atrocities to justice. This can only occur through a renewed effort to seek truth, accountability and reconciliation - a purpose to which we must all remain committed.”
Read more: British politicians mark Mullivaikkal anniversary with calls for accountability
