In a statement released to mark the “15th year Mullivaikkal Genocide Remembrance Day,” Labour leader Keir Starmer paid tribute to the tens of thousands of Tamils killed in 2009.
“Today my thoughts are with the Tamil victims, survivors, and their loved ones, who continue to live with the pain caused by the atrocities they suffered,” said Starmer.
“Mullivaikkal must also be a reminder that as well as commemorating those who are lost, we must bring the perpetrators of atrocities to justice.”
“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.”
Starmer’s message was read out at Trafalgar Square at a remembrance event organised by the British Tamils Forum (BTF).
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”.
Last year, the Labour leader said the 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”.
In 2022, Starmer called on the UK government to “stand with the Tamils and heed the recommendations of the UN High Commissioner to refer the perpetrators of the atrocities to the International Criminal Court".
He has also called 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".
“Labour will always stand by the Tamil people in their pursuit of true peace and justice,” he also said in 2022.
Starmer’s statement to mark Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day came just days before a general election was called in the UK.
Voting will take place on July 4th.
