Students from colleges in Tamil Nadu, handed over a petition to the United States Consulate in Chennai on Thursday, calling for an international independent investigation into genocide to be initiated at the UN Human Rights Council in the coming weeks.

The students, including those from Loyola College who sparked off a wave of protests last year after undertaking a hunger strike, handed a petition to Jennifer McIntyre, the Consul General of the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai, stating,

“Probing war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan Army by its own Government will not yield any justice. What was committed by the Army cannot be limited to war crimes but it amounts to genocide. We Tamils all over the world cry for justice. We demand an independent international inquiry on Tamil genocide.”

They went on to outline their demands to the United States for an international investigation and referendum, adding,

“We firmly believe that Indian government will not initiate any process for inquiring into the charges of genocide on Sri Lanka. Therefore we seek the help and assistance of United States of America to pass a resolution against Sri Lanka in the forthcoming UNHCR meet to be held at Geneva. We request the USA take a firm stand on Sri Lanka by seeking independent international inquiry on Tamil genocide committed by the Sri Lankan Army under the guidance of Sri Lankan Government.”

Speaking to Tamil Guardian, one of the petitioners Joe Britto said,

"We handed over a petition urging the US to pass a resolution against Sri Lanka, and expressing our hope that this resolution will be based on the fact that what happened to the Tamil people was a planned genocide."

"We really hope that the resolution will provide a new dawn for them," he added.

See the full text of the petition below.

To,
U.S. Consul General Jennifer McIntyre
Consulate of Unites State of America
Chennai
Tamil Nadu

From
Students of Tamil Nadu

 
Dear Madam,

Subject: Request to take a clear and firm stand on Sri Lanka in the forthcoming UNHCR Meet in Geneva

You must be aware of the Tamil genocide which took place in Sri Lanka in the year 2009. The Sri Lankan army ended the brutal war with the LTTE by killing more than 150,000 innocent people. In the name of combating terrorism Sri Lanka actually massacred thousands of innocent Tamils. Even after the war was over, the Sri Lankan Government didn’t stop it's atrocities over the Tamil people. Women are periodically raped, Tamil activists / journalists are abducted or murdered, people are threatened at gun point, Tamil lands been grabbed by the Sri Lankan army, forcible abortions / contraception are made and Tamil people are compelled to live in fear.

Sri Lanka deceived the whole world, promising to give equal status for the Tamils by sharing powers with the Tamils. But this never happened. Sri Lanka promised to probe on its own war crimes but failed to do so. Probing on war crimes committed by Sri Lankan Army by its own Government will not yield any justice. What was committed by the army cannot be limited to war crimes, but it amounts to genocide. We Tamils all over the world cry for justice. We demand an independent international inquiry on Tamil genocide. The Sri Lankan President, his Government and his Army has to be inquired and punished for this genocide and war crimes. We do not want just Peace. We want Justice and Peace.

What we expect from the United States of America?

As India was an active partner in the Tamil Genocide which took place in Sri Lanka, we Tamils do not believe in the Indian Government. We firmly believe that Indian government will not initiate any process for inquiring into the charges of genocide on Sri Lanka. Therefore we seek the help and assistance of United States of America to pass a resolution against Sri Lanka in the forthcoming UNHCR meet to be held at Geneva. We request the USA take a firm stand on Sri Lanka by seeking independent international inquiry on Tamil Genocide committed by the Sri Lankan army under the guidance of Sri Lankan Government. Also, the USA should come up with a plan to conduct a independent referendum among the Srilankan Tamils living in Srilanka and also all over the world. Hence by this referendum the world could come to know the decision and wish of the Lankan Tamil people whether they want to be united or to be separated from Sri Lanka.

We students of Tamil Nadu request U.S. Consul General Jennifer McIntyre, to take this message to the President of United States of America to bring long pending justice to the Tamils. We assure that we will always be grateful to America and yourself. We appreciate all your efforts in this regard.

With Bleeding Hearts,

Yours in Tears,

Students of Tamil Nadu.