January is Tamil Heritage Month

This year’s Tamil Heritage Month theme is “Our histories. Our legacies. Our homelands.”

This month is an opportunity to recognize the tremendous contribution of Tamil Canadians to our nation’s social, economic, political and cultural fabric.

Thirty-one years ago, a devastating civil war killed thousands and forced more than 800,000 Tamils to leave their homeland.

Despite the end of the conflict in 2009, the human rights environment continued to deteriorate in a climate of impunity. Serious human rights violations, such as abductions, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and sexual violence were still reported from the country’s former conflict zones.

The continued military presence in many areas of the north and east means abuse towards Tamil people remains and adds another barrier to justice for the victims.

Tamil civilians’ lands have been taken away and occupied by the Army, convicted criminals who have murdered Tamil civilians have been pardoned and released by the President soon after his election.

Tamil culture and freedom of expression have been marginalized, particularly after decades of repressive policies by the Sri Lankan government that saw religious practices prohibited and heritage destroyed.

There has been no accountability nor judicial process to follow the United Nations Human Rights council resolutions passed since 2010.

Solidarity with our Tamil-Canadians friends and co-workers requires an understanding of their struggle, and the empathy to make it our own. We must stand up for justice whenever we see the abuse of human rights, whether it is here at home, or anywhere else in the world. The government of Canada must stand up for its values.

Together, we celebrate the inspirational role that Tamil Canadians have played and continue to play in communities across our country while amplifying the call for justice and respect for their human rights.”

Together, we demand justice for the Tamil people.

In solidarity,