To Australia's Tamil Community:
Today marks 30 years since the start of Sri Lanka's
"Black July", when anti-Tamil riots broke out in Colombo and soon
spread to other parts of the country. Many Tamils lost their lives,
their loved ones and their homes. It is estimated that up to 3,000
Tamils lost their lives in those riots - and nearly 700,000 people were
forced to flee the country.
Black July was a tragic turning point in the history of Sri Lanka and
marked the beginning of a long period of intense civil war. The events
of that time and those of the war shattered lives, tore families apart
and sent hundreds of thousands of people into exile.
I have spoken to Australian Tamils who remember Black July and have
expressed to me the unimaginable fear of not feeling safe in one's own
home and the agony of not knowing the fate of family and loved ones.
Many countries around the world have welcomed Sri Lankan Tamils who sought a new and safer life overseas.
The Greens thank you for your contribution to Australian life and
culture. We know that today must be a time of sad reflection for many
whose lives were forever changed by the events of 30 years ago. The
Greens will continue to be a strong voice for a humane refugee policy in
Australia and an independent war crimes investigation into the final
stages of the war in Sri Lanka.
The Greens will keep up the fight for human rights in Sri Lanka and around the world.
Senator Richard Di Natale
Greens Spokesperson for Multiculturalism
on behalf of The Australian Greens
