Rights groups warn UNHRC of ongoing militarisation of Tamil homeland

Human rights organisations highlighted the ongoing militarisation of the Tamil homeland at a side event at the UN Human Rights Council yesterday. 

Highlighting the insidious and overarching consequences of the military's presence in the North-East, the panelists argued the Sri Lankan government's failure to demilitarise 10 years after the end of the armed conflict illustrates the lack of political will towards meaningful reform and accountability. 

The event was co-organised by the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) and People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL).

Yves Bowie of STP highlighted the organisation's report on military land occupations in the North and East of Sri Lanka. He detailed the impact of land grabbing and military occupation on the life of the communities, broadcasting footage from Keppapulavu, where displaced families have protested for over two years the military occupation. 
 
Michael Duitor, a human rights defender, shared his personal experience about militarisation in Mannar.  

Mario Arulthas of PEARL highlighted the organisation's latest report on Sinhalasation of the North-East, through the paradigm of the town of Pulmoaddai in Trincomalee district. Satellite images and photos showed the extent and speed of Buddhisisation and militarisation in the town. 

Rasheca Logendran of US Tamil Political Action Council spoke on Sri Lanka’s lack of will to implement the commitments they promised under the UN Resolution 30/1, describing how militarisation and specific human rights violations undermine Sri Lanka’s commitment for accountability and justice.