Rally in Jaffna demands Sri Lanka is referred to ICC

A rally was held in Jaffna this morning, as students, civil society organisations and families of the disappeared came together and demanded that Sri Lanka be referred to the International Criminal Court over charges of genocide.

Hundreds of protestors marched through the streets of Jaffna, with many holding placards demanding justice and photographs of their disappeared loved ones.

Many of the demonstrators wore headbands which read “We want ICC justice,” a chant that was echoed throughout the march.

The protest comes as a resolution was tabled at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, on accountability in Sri Lanka.

Though the resolution mandates an evidence collection mechanism by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, many of the UN human rights chief’s recommendations were not adopted, with Tamil activists around the globe expressing their disappointment.