(Photo - Mullivaikkal remembrance 2022)
Marking the 14th anniversary of the Mullivaikkal genocide, British Tamils gathered in parliament to commemorate the tens of thousands killed during the genocide as well as renew their commitment to the principles of the Vaddukoddai Resolution.
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Speaking at the event, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils, and MP for Carshalton and Wallington, Elliot Colburn maintained the need for the British government to “follow other international countries in imposing Magnitsky style sanctions” on Sri Lankan war criminals. “There is no excuse”, he maintained.
“We must work for a future where justice is delivered, and Tamils can thrive”.
Shadow Secretary for Energy and Climate Change, Barry Gardiner, also spoke at the event and stressed that the situation in Sri Lanka has still not progressed.
“How many OHCHR reports does it take,” he asked.
He further asked.
“Do we see any changes in the military presence in the North?”
“How many times does the President need to prove that they only care about corruption and money?”
Gardiner concluded his speech by stressing that as a country, “Sri Lanka has lost its ability and right to govern”. He further maintained that a Labour government can bring much-needed international pressure on Sri Lanka.
“I will always be proud to support your struggle”.
Shadow Minister for Asia and Pacific, Catherine West, raised her concerns that despite more than a decade passing since the end of the armed conflict, “few have been held accountable”.
She maintained that a Labour government would bring about a strong UNHCR resolution and introduce an independent international investigation into war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan state.
Siobhain McDonagh, MP for Mitcham and Morden, slammed the British for its failure to impose sanctions on a single Sri Lankan war criminal. This is in contrast to the US which has imposed sanctions on several senior Sri Lankan officials.
She further added that regardless of which party was in power, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils would maintain its joint call for justice and accountability in Sri Lanka.
The event also featured a number of guest speakers who delivered informative discussions on Mullivaikkal and the importance of delivering justice for Tamils. The talk concluded with British Tamils renewing their commitment to the Vaddukoddai Resolution, which set forth the vision of a free and independent Tamil Eelam.
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