The Tamil Refugee Council hosted a Human Rights Day Dinner last week, where advocates, allies, and community members committed themselves to securing justice for Eelam Tamils.
The event featured an exhibition documenting 173 instances of genocide committed by the Sri Lankan state against the Tamil people.
Several speakers addressed different aspects of human rights challenges faced by Tamils, including as refugees in Australia.
Senator David Shoebridge spoke on the importance of global justice movements and urged Australia to reform its refugee policies and hold Sri Lanka accountable for its actions. Dr. Jordana Silverstein, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne, discussed the issue of statelessness and the need for inclusive, human-centered refugee policies. Sanmati Verma, Legal Director of the Human Rights Law Centre, highlighted the failures of Australia’s refugee system and emphasized the need for permanent protection for refugees. Leninraj Benedict, a Tamil refugee, shared his experience of living in limbo in Australia for over a decade, separated from his family and denied rights, stressing the dangers he would face if returned to Sri Lanka. Kalyani Inpakumar, NSW Coordinator of the Tamil Refugee Council, spoke about the importance of grassroots organizing and solidarity in advocating for justice.
And Dr. Varatharajah Thurairajah, the keynote speaker, shared his experience as a frontline doctor during the Mullivaikkal genocide, recounting his work treating civilians in the "No Fire Zone" amid bombings.
The event served as a space for reflection and discussion on the importance of advocacy and accountability. Attendees engaged in conversations about strengthening advocacy networks and taking action to demand justice for the Tamil people and refugees.
The Tamil Refugee Council also saw the launch of the book Untold Truth of Tamil Genocide, a biography of Dr. Varatharajah. The book documents the atrocities faced by the Tamil people during the Sri Lankan genocide. Renuga Inpakumar, spokesperson for the Tamil Refugee Council, thanked Dr. Varatharajah for his work and noted the importance of his efforts in inspiring the younger generation to continue the fight for justice.
