Tamil families of the disappeared braved military intimidation and marched across Mullaitivu this morning, as they marked International Women’s Day with another rally demanding justice for their disappeared loved ones.
The families dressed in black for their rally as a sign of protest. They have been demonstrating for more than 4 years on the roadsides of the North-East, demanding information on the whereabouts of their loved ones and justice for their disappearances.
Tamil mothers of the disappeared are marching through Mullaitivu today to mark #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/ok8Eaybp8o
— Tamil Guardian (@TamilGuardian) March 8, 2021
"There must be a proper judicial inquiry,” one of the protestors told the Tamil Guardian. “Where are those who were taken away? If the death certificate is the answer to our children who were handed over to the army, then who is the killer?”
As the families, mainly headed by women, marched through the town, armed Sri Lankan soldiers kept a close eye. Some soldiers were seen photographing and taking videos of the protestors.
Banners held by the families demanded an international judicial mechanism and called on the UN Human Rights Council, which is currently meeting in Geneva, to lead international action on the issue.
See more photographs from the rally below.
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