Statement by NDP MP for Scarborough-Rouge River, Rathika Sitsabaiesan, on Black July

2013 07 23

It is with deep sadness that we mark the 30th anniversary of Black July. On July 23, 1983 hundreds of Tamils were killed and thousands more were displaced as their homes and businesses were destroyed.

 The repercussions of these brutal actions and heartbreaking loss can still be felt by Tamils living in Sri Lanka as well as the Tamil diaspora. 

 New Democrats remain concerned about the treatment of minority communities in Sri Lanka. As we remember July 23, 1983, we pledge to continue defending the interests of Tamil Canadians in the House of Commons.

 We also urge the Canadian government to take firm diplomatic action and boycott the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka this November.  Canada must take a principled stance regarding the Sri Lankan government’s continued human rights abuses and refusal to conduct an independent investigation of war crimes allegations.

 Lest we forget.

http://petition.ndp.ca/srilanka

Statement by Liberal Party of Canada Leader Justin Trudeau on Black July

POSTED ON JULY 23, 2013

KELOWNA, BC– The Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, made the following statement today on the anniversary of Black July:

“Today, we solemnly remember the terrible events and attacks thirty years ago that were directed at Tamils beginning on July 23, 1983. Divisions gave way to racially-targeted riots that saw countless people attacked, killed, and rendered homeless, and resulted in the widespread destruction of property.

Across our country, Tamil Canadians mourn and remember the many murders of Black July, but also the thousands of deaths that ensued in the decades-long Sri Lankan civil war, of which we still lack closure to this day.

We must achieve accountability and justice for the untold innocents who died or had their lives irrevocably changed.

To date, no serious effort has been made by the Sri Lankan government to reconcile with all actors in Sri Lankan society. There is little clarity or resolution after the end of the civil war. Ethnic and religious discrimination is growing, not decreasing.

After the events of 1983, Canada welcomed those Tamils seeking asylum, and we continue to accept refugees and immigrants from Sri Lanka. Today, Canada’s voice must be clearly heard insisting for truth, reconciliation, and an independent and transparent international investigation of alleged war crimes during the Sri Lankan civil war.”