STATEMENT | 17th Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day
On this day, we remember the tens of thousands of Tamil lives killed at Mullivaikal in May 2009 and the Tamil genocide that did not end when the guns fell silent.
Tens of thousands Eelam Tamils were killed or remain unaccounted for. Internationally banned weapons were deployed against civilians such as cluster bombs. Those captured were sexually harassed and executed. Witnesses were deliberately excluded so that atrocities could be carried out with impunity.
The evidence is not in question. The findings of multiple UN reports and independent investigations leave no doubt — what was committed against the Eelam Tamils constitutes as genocide and war crimes under international law.
To the International community and United Nations - your own internal review called your conduct during the final months of the war a "systemic failure." Seventeen years later, that failure has hardened into continued impunity in Sri Lanka.
Not one perpetrator has been prosecuted. Not one credible international mechanism has been established. The Responsibility to Protect is meaningless when it does not protect the ones that should be protected.
While institutions such as EU trade with Sri Lanka, lend to Sri Lanka, and platform its government on the world stage, Tamil mothers enter their tenth year of protest searching for their disappeared family members.
IDCTE stands unwavering in our commitment to justice through continued advocacy for accountability of Tamil Genocide. We will not stop until the Tamil Genocide is recognized and the Tamil nation's right to self-determination is honored.
50th anniversary of Vaddukoddai resolution
The Vaddukoddai Resolution marked a turning point in Eelam Tamils politics — transforming decades of oppression into a clear democratic demand for self-determination and separate state Tamil Eelam. Fifty years later, its legacy continues to shape conversations about justice, accountability, rights, and political aspirations for Eelam Tamils worldwide.
IDCTE is pleased to host an online webinar event exploring the birth of Tamil Nationalism and its and reflect on how Tamil nationalism continues to thrive today post-2009 and what it means for the future.
The session will examine its historical origins and how it persisted despite efforts by the Sri Lankan state to suppress it.
Dr. Mario Arulthas (@MarioArul) is an Eelam Tamil activist, scholar and researcher whose work focuses on Tamil Nationalism.
📅 Date: Sunday, 12 April 2026
🕰️ Time: 16:00 (CEST)
ZOOM
Register to receive Zoom link: Link in Bio
IDCTE was pleased to advance our dialogue with Norwegian policymakers today in Oslo, alongside the TNPF delegation led by MP @GGPonnambalam . During these engagements, we met with members of the Norwegian Parliament from across the political spectrum, representing both the government and the opposition. These included Bjørnar Moxnes (Rødt Party), Marian Abdi Hussein (SV Party), and Kamzy Gunaratnam and Tellef Inge Mørland (Labour Party), as well as Norwegian politicians of Tamil origin.
In our discussions, we briefed policymakers on the intentions of the NPP/JVP government, with particular focus on accountability, human rights, and the draft Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA), which is intended to repeal and replace the PTA. We also reiterated the important role Norway must continue to play, given its historical involvement in the peace process.
IDCTE will continue to lead regular engagements to ensure Norwegian policymakers position aligns with right of Eelam Tamils and supports international accountability mechanisms and ensures bilateral cooperation with Sri Lanka is conditional on human rights.
அறிக்கை: யூலை 23 2025
கறுப்பு யூலை: பாதிக்கப்பட்டவர்களை நினைவு கூர்ந்து, பொறுப்புக்கூறலை வலியுறுத்தல்
இன்று, யூலை 23 ஆம் திகதி, கறுப்பு யூலையின் 42 ஆவது வருட நிறைவை IDCTE துயரத்தோடு நினைவுகூருகின்றது. ஈழத் தமிழர்களின் வரலாற்றில், அரச அனுசரணையில் அரங்கேறிய ஒரு *கட்டமைக்கப்பட்ட படுகொலை* பயங்கர அத்தியாயம் இது. கறுப்பு யூலையின் போது காவு கொள்ளப்பட்ட ஆயிரக்கணக்கான தமிழ் உயிர்களை நாம் நினைவுகூருகிறோம்.
இது, இனவெறியின் வன்முறை வெறியாட்டத்தை கட்டவிழ்த்துவிட்ட, நன்கு ஆவணப்படுத்தப்பட்ட, சிறிலங்கா அரசால் வழிநட��்தப்பட்ட *கட்டமைக்கப்பட்ட இனவழிப்பு* ஆகும். குறுகிய நாட்களில் ஆயிரக்கணக்கான தமிழர்கள் படுகொலை செய்யப்பட்டனர்; தமிழ் குடியிருப்பாளர்கள் மற்றும் அவர்களது வணிகங்கள் பற்றிய துல்லியமான தகவல்களுடன், பிக்குகள் மற்றும் பொலிசார் உள்ளிட்ட அரச தரப்பினரால் இந்த வன்முறை கட்டவிழ்த்துவிடப்பட்டது.
தமிழர்களின் வீடுகள், வணிகங்கள் மற்றும் உடமைகள் ��ூறையாடப்பட்டு, தாக்குதலுக்கு உள்ளாகின. பலர் பாலியல் வன்முறைக்கு உட்படுத்தப்பட்டனர், நிர்வாணமாக்கப்பட்டனர் மற்றும் அடித்துக் கொல்லப்பட்டனர். நூற்றுக்கணக்கான தமிழர்கள் உயிருடன் எரிக்கப்பட்டனர். முன்னெப்போதும் இல்லாத அளவில் வெறுப்பு எரிமலையாக வெடித்ததன் விளைவாக, 3,000 க்கும் மேற்பட்ட தமிழர்கள் கொல்லப்பட்டனர், சுமார் 18,000 வீடுகள் தாக்கப்பட்டன, 100,000 க்கும் மேற்பட்ட தமிழர்கள் *இடம���பெயர்ந்தனர்*, 5,000 க்கும் மேற்பட்ட வணிகங்கள் அழிக்கப்பட்டன மற்றும் பலர் நிரந்தரமாக தீவை விட்டு வெளியேற வேண்டிய கட்டாயம் ஏற்பட்டது.
இரண்டு நாட்களுக்கு மேலாக, இலங்கை அரசாங்கம் மௌனம் காத்தது, தமிழர்களின் பொருளாதார அடித்தளத்தை குறிவைத்து வன்முறை பரவ வேண்டுமென்றே அனுமதித்தது. வெலிக்கடைச் சிறையில் இருந்த தமிழ் அரசியல் கைதிகள் கூட சிறை அதிகாரிகளின் உடந்தையுடன் கொடூரமாக கொல்லப்ப���்டனர்.
இந்த *இனவழிப்பு* , இலங்கை அரசின் தலைவர்களின் தூண்டுதலான அறிக்கைகளால் தீவிரமாகத் தூண்டப்பட்டு ஊக்குவிக்கப்பட்டது. 1983 ஆம் ஆண்டு யூலை 11 ஆம் திகதி, அன்றைய சிறிலங்கா ஜனாதிபதி ஜே.ஆர். ஜெயவர்தன, "நான் தமிழர்களைப் பட்டினி போட்டால், சிங்கள மக்கள் மகிழ்ச்சியடைவார்கள்" என்று அறிவித்தார். இந்த கருத்து அரசின் ஆழமான *இனவழிப்பு* நோக்கத்தை வெளிப்படுத்தியது மட்டுமல்லாமல், அதைத் தொடர்ந்து நடந்த தமிழர் விரோத *இனவெறித் தாக்குதல்களின்* பொது மற்றும் அரசியல் ரீதியான மறைமுக ஆதரவையும் வழங்கியது.
13 சிங்களப் படையினரின் கொலையின் விளைவாகவே கறுப்பு யூலை ஏற்பட்டது என்ற கருத்து ஒரு தவறான எண்ணமாகும். 1958 ஆம் ஆண்டு முதல் காலங்காலமாக தமிழர் விரோத *இனவழிப்புத் தாக்குதல்கள்* நடந்து வந்தன, மேலும் கறுப்பு யூலைக்கு முன்பே தமிழர்கள் சித்திரவதை, தடுப்புக்காவல் மற்றும் சட்டத்திற்கு புறம்பான படுகொலைகளை எதிர்கொண்டு நிலைமை மோசமடைந்து வந்தது. 1983 ஆ��் ஆண்டில் மட்டும், கறுப்பு யூலைக்கு முந்தைய மாதங்களில் அரச தரப்பினரால் வன்முறை அதிகரித்தது, தமிழர்கள், சிங்களவர்களின் விருப்பப்படி கொல்லப்பட்டனர். அரச அனுசரணையுடன் நடந்த வன்முறையில் ஒரு குற்றவாளி கூட தண்டிக்கப்பட்டு, இதுவரையில் பொறுப்புக்கூறப்படவில்லை.
தமிழ் *இனவழிப்புக்கு* காரணமானவர்களை பொறுப்புக்கூறச் செய்வதற்கான தனது அசைக்க முடியாத உறுதிப்பாட்டை IDCTE மீண்டும் உறுதிப்படுத்துகிறது, அனைத்துலகக் கொள்கை வகுப்பாளர்கள் மற்றும் சர்வதேச நிறுவனங்களுடனான எமது தொடர்ச்சியான பரப்புரை��ள் மூலம் சரியான கருத்துக்களைப் பற்றிய விழிப்புணர்வை ஏற்படுத்த முயற்சிக்கிறது.
STATEMENT: Black July: Honoring the victims, Demanding Accountability
Today, on 23rd of July, IDCTE solemnly marks the 42nd anniversary of Black July. A horrific chapter in Eelam Tamils’ history that saw the state-sponsored genocidal pogrom. We honor the memory of the thousands of Tamil lives lost during Black July.
It was one of the most well documented state-led genocidal pogrom that unleashed the violent fury of racism. Several thousands of Tamils were killed in a matter of days, with state collusion with precise information about Tamil residents and their businesses, led by state actors including monks and police.
Tamil homes, businesses and properties were stormed, looted and attacked. Many were raped, sexually assaulted, stripped naked and beaten to death. Hundreds of Tamils were burned alive. As a result of the hatred that erupted into volcanic violence on an unprecedented scale, over 3,000 Tamils were killed, around 18,000 homes were attacked, over 100,000Tamils displaced, over 5,000 businesses were destroyed and many forced to flee the island permanently.
For over two days, the Sri Lankan government remained silent, deliberately allowing the violence to spread, targeting the economic base of the Tamil businesses. Even the Tamil political prisoners at the Welikande prison were brutally killed with the collusion of the prison officers.
This genocide act was actively fueled and encouraged by provocative statements from Sri Lanka state’s leadership. On 11th of July in 1983, Sri Lanka’s president J.R. Jayewardene declared: “If I starve the Tamils out, the Sinhala people will be happy”. This comment not only revealed the state’s deep rooted genocidal intent, but also served as a green light, giving public and political cover for the anti-Tamil pogrom that followed.
The narrative that Black July was a response to the killing of 13 Sinhalese soldiers is a misconception. There had been periodic anti-Tamil progroms since 1958 and had already been escalating with Tamils facing torture, detention and extrajudicial killings well before Black July. In 1983 alone, violence by state actors had escalated in the months leading up to Black July, with Tamils being killed at will. Not a single perpetrator from the state-sponsored violence has been held accountable.
IDCTE reaffirms its unwavering commitment to holding the perpetrators of Tamil Genocide accountable, through our consistent advocacy with policy makers and international institutions, in an effort to raise awareness on the right narratives.
IDCTE also urged the EU not to be misled by the current government’s empty promises and to use GSP+ as leverage for genuine accountability. Recent Chemmani mass grave was also part of our discussion.
Meaningful action is essential from EU in sending a message that EU won’t tolerate culture of impunity.
IDCTE will continue engaging with EU🇪🇺 in Brussels and Strasbourg to ensure justice and accountability remain a priority in all forms.
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As part of our continued engagement with the EU, IDCTE was again in Brussels 🇧🇪🇪🇺 last week, meeting with key stakeholders including EEAS, Member of European Parliaments, and policy advisors from AFET, INTA, DROI, DSAS & political groups to brief on key issues including Sinhalization and militarisation.
We called for accountability and justice for the Tamil genocide and called for the suspension of Sri Lanka’s GSP+ benefit until it meets international human rights standards, including repealing the PTA and other repressive laws.
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Three weeks ago we had the pleasure of catching up with Member of European Parliament Jussi Saramo in Brussels 🇧🇪🇪🇺.
We briefed about current human rights situations of Eelam Tamils and lack of accountability & justice steps taken by new government to address Tamil Genocide.
Today we had the pleasure of meeting with MP Ben Zyskowicz, the longest serving Finnish MP.
We discussed and explored avenues to advance accountability and justice for Tamil Genocide and war crimes against Eelam Tamils in international forums and reiterated the ongoing challenges Eelam Tamils face 16 years after the end of War.
Tamil Youth Conference 2024
On the 5th and 6th of October, over 200 Tamil Youth from 9 different countries came together in Ennepetal, Germany, for the Tamil Youth Conference 2024 organised by International Tamil Youth Organisation.
Last Sunday IDCTE took part in the two Day Tamil Youth Conference in Germany organised by Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO) with over 200 participants from over 9 countries to engage in discussion and activities related to our struggle and future ideas.
@sharu107 from IDCTE spoke about the importance of advocacy and the role of Eelam Tamils in the global discussion in seeking accountability and justice.
By supporting youths, we can create a new generation of motivated leaders who will continue our call for justice and Recognition of Tamil Genocide.
💫 Tamil Youth Conference 2024 reaffirms commitment to Tamil Eelam liberation
The Tamil Youth Conference 2024, organized by the International Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO), was held in Ennepetal, Germany, over the past weekend, bringing together over 200 Tamil youth from across Europe.
Read more ⬇️
https://t.co/nkV5nZuI7G
🕯️commemorating Black July: 23-29 July 1983 🕯️
Today, we honor the memory of the countless innocent Tamil lives lost and affected during Black July, a week of horrific anti-Tamil pogroms in Sri Lanka. Starting on July 23, 1983, these events saw thousands of Tamil homes and businesses destroyed, and many innocent lives were brutally taken.
We reflect on the deep scars left by this violence, recognizing the enduring pain and resilience of the Tamil people. Till this day no justice has been served. The impunity is still present today. Let us remember and stand in solidarity with those who suffered, ensuring that such systematic genocide are never forgotten and never repeated.
#BlackJuly #TamilGenocide #NeverForget #SriLanka #TamilLivesMatter #JusticeForTamils #HumanRights #RememberingBlackJuly
Last week IDCTE attended several meetings in Vienna 🇦🇹 with MP @steffi_krisper and MP and Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Committee of Austrian Parliament @PetraBayr, ,Foreign Policy Advisors and with the Austrian MFA advocating for accountability and justice for Tamil Genocide.
We also continued to emphasise the ongoing protest by the families of the disappeared and Sri Lankan state’s failure to punish perpetrators through domestic mechanisms including the need for an International independent body to investigate Genocide, War Crimes and Other Crimes against humanity.
Again and again the Sri Lankan government officials are proving that the Tamil people do not have any rights. That’s why IDCTE and many other human rights organizations are working relentlessly for our Tamil people.
🚨 Police who went to the Mullivaikal kanji serving event organizers homes at night and behaved poorly with the women,arresting them and taking to the police station.
IDCTE is looking forward in attending this Tamil Genocide conference held in Paris by @eminamofcl at the Sorbonne University alongside with Sharuka Thevakumar, MP @skajendren & MP @Aurelientache.
The conference (in French/Tamil) can be followed virtually through https://t.co/0s0TpuH5tb.