Tamils are a persecuted nation said the Canadian Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Rouge Park in his maiden parliamentary speech on World Human Rights Day.

In his maiden statement at Canadian parliament Gary Anandasangaree MP, speaking on the experiences of Tamil refuges, said,

“The Tamil people are a persecuted nation. Over 100,000 Tamils have died in a bloody war. The UN HC for human rights has found that war crimes and crimes against humanity took place in Sri Lanka in the last phase of the war. Tamils are seeking justice. An international independent criminal investigation into war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Although the war ended in 2009 peace has evaded the island. Reported cases of sexual violence, military occupies land traditionally owned by Tamils and Tamil political prisoners linger in jail, in some cases for decades. It is in this context that people fled seeking a safe secure place to raise their family. In 2010 I had the opportunity to meet some of the Tamil refugees who came on the MV Sun Sea… I met countless men women and children. I will never forget the stories of one of the women. In the last days of the war she was hiding in a bunker with her husband and there children. She left the bunker to get water for her family. Has she left the bunker a shill hit and destroyed her life. her three young children and husband vanished in seconds. This mother had the courage to get on ship with strangers risk her life in order to put her life back together. This is one refugee experience.”

Mr Anandasangaree ended, by applauding Canada’s policy of bringing in refuges from Syria.

Highlighting collective failings by Canada to its indigenous nations Mr Anadasangaree welcomed positive steps towards justice taken in recent times.

Mr Anandasangaree ended by stating,

“I am proud that our government of committed to this process of obtaining justice for the families. Our prime minister has shown much needed leadership on this issue. We can reset the direction of our first people…Today collectively in this house we stand on the foot of history as we direct a new course nation to nation between Canada and its indigenous Inuit and Metis people.”