Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day: Honoring the Victims and Seeking Justice
Every year on May 18th, Tamil people remember a very sad event called the Tamil Genocide. During a long war in Sri Lanka between the government and the Tamil Tigers group, many Tamil civilians were killed or hurt badly.
The History
The fight in Sri Lanka went on for many, many years. The Tamil Tigers group wanted their own country just for Tamil people. But in 2009, the fighting got bad. The Sri Lankan army attacked places where lots of Tamil families were living. These were supposed to be safe areas where no one could shoot. But the army did not care and attacked these safe areas anyway. The military did not let food, water, or medicine get to the civilians, and many people suffered and died.
Other Countries Take Notice
In 2022, Canada’s Parliament said what happened to the Tamils in Sri Lanka was a genocide, which means killing a whole group of people. Canada made May 18th Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day to remember the victims. In 2023, Canada’s Prime Minister officially declared the first Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day.
Asking for Justice
The Tamil people who live in other countries want an investigation into the bad things the Sri Lankan government did during the war. They want the leaders who were in charge at that time to be put on trial at the International Court of Justice for genocide and war crimes against Tamils.
In 2020, the United States would not let Sri Lanka’s army chief enter the country because of accusations he did bad things during the war. Canada has also put sanctions (penalties) on two former Sri Lankan presidents who were in power in 2009.
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Problems Still Happening
Even though the war is over, the Tamil people in Sri Lanka still face problems. The Sri Lankan military watches and threatens Tamil journalists and activists. They have destroyed Tamil war cemeteries and stopped events to remember those who died. The Sri Lankan government is also building Buddhist temples in Tamil areas, which some see as trying to wipe out Tamil culture.
The Future
On Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, Tamil people all over the world ask other countries to recognize the genocide that happened. They want investigations and trials for the Sri Lankan leaders responsible. By remembering the victims, they hope to prevent such terrible events from ever happening
