A Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day commemoration was held in Drancy, France, on Saturday (May 16) to honour the tens of thousands of Tamils killed during the final stages of the armed conflict in Mullivaikkal.
The Mullivaikkal remembrance event brought together members of the Tamil diaspora, local residents, community representatives and youth participants, as Tamils across the world continued to observe remembrance events to remember the genocide.
Held in Drancy, a suburb of Paris, the event commemorated those killed during the 2009 Mullivaikkal massacres, which Tamil organisations, survivors and human rights groups continue to describe as genocide.
Attendees gathered to pay tribute to the victims and express solidarity with the Tamil nation’s continuing calls for truth, justice and accountability. Floral tributes and memorial observances formed part of the programme, while younger members of the community participated in artistic performances reflecting on collective memory, loss and resilience.
The participation of students and youth performers highlighted the role of the next generation in preserving the memory of Mullivaikkal and continuing demands for international accountability for atrocities committed against Tamils.
The mayor of Drancy also addressed the gathering during the event.
Commemorations in France formed part of wider remembrance events taking place across the Tamil homeland and diaspora this month.
