Email: chair.afta@gmail.com

Web: www.tamil.org.au

Media Release 14.12.2011

Tamils in Sri Lanka have no freedom to express their concern

for Human Rights even on the World Human Rights Day

The Australasian Federation of Tamil Associations (AFTA) wishes to draw the attention of the

Governments of Australia and New Zealand, the media and the human rights organisations to the way the

Tamils in Sri Lanka are kept under subjugation by the Sri Lankan government using its occupying forces

in the north of the country.

On the World Human Rights day (WHRD), the parents and relatives of those reported missing since the

end of the war in 2009 tried to stage a protest to seek the attention of the world on the plight of their

missing loved ones. These peaceful protesters were harassed by the occupying soldiers and riot police.

This led to the protesters having to stage the protest along the roadside at the Jaffna Bus Terminal.

Every commuter on the main Point-Pedro Jaffna Road leading into the city of Jaffna was stopped and

harassed at eight check posts by the Sri Lankan military in an attempt to prevent them from joining the

protest. When people started gathering at the bus terminal in the morning they were dispersed first by

the police saying they had no permission to protest. This harassment ended only when some Tamil

National Alliance parliamentarians entered the scene. This is the first time in Jaffna in the past several

years, the parents and relatives of the missing persons braved barriers and harassment by the occupying

Sri Lankan soldiers and riot police to stage a protest.

Around 50 activists who had come from the South of the island, representing the organising committee

and various political parties were blocked at about 20 miles away. They were only allowed to attend the

protest at the bus terminal at the last minute after they staged a protest where they were stopped. These

protesters were not allowed to bring in their placards.

One of the main demands of the protesters was for the world community to exert pressure on the Sri

Lankan state to release the names of those kept under detention. Mothers were seen carrying the photos of

either their sons and daughters, or their husbands, demanding their immediate release.

Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganathan used to organise demonstrations on behalf of the

families of missing people. BBC correspondent in Colombo says that for several months Mr Weeraraj

and Mr Muruganathan were part of a group that had been organising protests in Colombo, bringing

mothers, fathers and wives of missing people from the north to the capital to highlight their desperation.

These families are searching for relatives who disappeared during and after Sri Lanka’s civil war. The

WHRD rally on Saturday in Jaffna was planned by these two men, but before it could happen they went

missing – apparently abducted while travelling by motor bike. Mr Weeraraj had been detained and

questioned earlier about his activities and recently told the BBC he was being tracked by state security

officials. According to his father, Weeraraj had received anonymous phone calls saying he would be

"eliminated" from politics if he continued his political involvement in the north. Civil society activists in

Sri Lanka say they fear for the lives of the men. Mr. Ajith Kumara, a Member of Parliament from the

south has made complains about the missing duo to Defense Secretary, IGP as well as at the Jaffna

Police. The Asian Human Rights Commission issued a statement on Monday highlighting this case and

calling on the government to ensure that cases of "forced disappearances" are thoroughly and effectively

investigated.

This ongoing oppression of the Tamil people on the WHRD makes the Sri Lankan government’s claim

that it has liberated the people, a travesty of truth.

Enough is enough, only strong diplomatic action including travel bans against Sri Lankan government

officials responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity and sports sanctions would make Sri

Lanka comply with international norms on human rights and help restore rule of law and deliver justice to

the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

Therefore AFTA appeals to the International Community, particularly the Australian and New Zealand

governments to bring pressure on the Sri Lankan government (SLG) through the Commonwealth and the

UN Human rights Council to put an end to the ongoing national oppression of the Tamil people. AFTA

appeals to the independent media to expose these activities of the SLG.