Facebook icon
Twitter icon
e-mail icon

Canadian opposition leader commemorates Black July pogroms

The leader of the NDP, Canada’s main opposition party released a statement commemorating Black July.

Tom Mulcair said his party renewed its commitment “to defend the human rights of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka and press for accountability.”

See full statement below:

“Today, New Democrats’ thoughts are with the Tamil community in Canada and around the world as we commemorate Black July.

"We remember the hundreds of Tamils who were killed and the thousands who were displaced when their homes and businesses were destroyed in Sri Lanka from the violence that ensued from the pogroms targeting Tamils that began on July 23, 1983. The perpetrators and organizers of the violence have never been held accountable for their actions.

"As we remember, New Democrats renew our commitment to defend the human rights of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka and press for accountability. Canada and the world have a responsibility to ensure to ensure that basic human rights principles are upheld by all countries. We also strongly condemn the Sri Lankan government’s ban on diaspora groups in Canada and around the world.

"Lest we forget.”

We need your support

Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.

Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view

We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.

For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.