Tamil families of the disappeared protest in Vavuniya

by admin
Jul 30, 2024

imgTamil families of the disappeared gathered in Vavuniya today as they continue to search for their  relatives who have been forcibly disappeared by Sri Lanka's security forces. 

The families protested outside the Vavuniya bus stand to demand an impartial and international investigation into the disappearances. The families held placards and chanted slogans demanding justice and accountability for their loved ones.

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Successive Sri Lankan governments have created various commissions of inquiries to "investigate" the disappearances but only a few of their reports have been made public. Tamil families of the disappeared lack confidence in domestic mechanisms as they have not brought about any meaningful answers or any criminal accountability. 

The families have continued their protests since 2017 even though they face surveillance and harassment by the state. Earlier this week, Sri Lanka's Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) summoned the leader of the Families of the disappeared in Batticaloa for questioning. 

Despite the continued intimidation, the Tamil families of the disappeared have been defiant in their protests and in their demands. 

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