Human Rights Chief visits IDP camp in Jaffna

 07 February 2016
The United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein visited Chunnakam IDP camp on Saturday, stating that he hoped the displaced Tamil villagers would be returned to their original homes the next time he visited Jaffna.
Speaking to families living at the camp, the Human Rights Chief said, “I hope that next time I come I will not be visiting a welfare centre, but I will come to visit you in your homes”.
Many of the residents have been displaced from their homes for decades, and remain unable to return due to Sri Lankan military occupation of their land. "It's very clear that people of the North have problems and are frustrated," said the High Commissioner, after meeting residents at the camp.

The desperation felt was highlighted when elderly residents of the camp, pleaded with UN officials to be resettled in their land. As the High Commissioner's convoy was leaving, villagers called on the High Commissioner to ensure their land is returned to them.

Residents at the Sabhapathipillai refugee camp also held banners calling on the High Commissioner to appoint a country specific UN rapporteur for Sri Lanka.

The camp has previously been visited by foreign officials, and despite promises of resettlement by the Sri Lankan government, many remain trapped.