Britain's Labour leader demands Sri Lanka be referred to ICC

 18 May 2022

Marking 13 years since the genocide in Mullivaikkal, the UK's Labour leader has called for Sri Lanka to be referred to the International Criminal Court noting that "the perpetrators of these atrocities still have not been brought to justice".

His statement comes as British MPs are continuing to demand accountability for the atrocities Tamils have suffered and to impose sanctions on perpetrators such as Sri Lankan army commander, Shavendra Silva, and Defence Secretary, Kamal Gunaratne. Thus far the UK government has failed to impose a single sanction on a Sri Lankan government or military official implicated in war crimes.

Read more here: 'Accountability must not be forgotten' - British MPs mark Mullivaikkal calling for justice

His full statement reads:

Today, on Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day, we remember the tens of thousands of Tamils who were killed during the final stages of the Sri Lankan conflict.

The Labour Party stands with the Tamil community and as we pause and reflect upon this day our thoughts are with the victims, their families and loved ones.

But as we commemorate those we have lost this must also be a reminder of the need for truth, accountability and reconciliation. 13 years on the perpetrators of these atrocities still have not been brought to justice.

Today, the Labour Party recommits to securing justice for the families of those who died and the survivors who suffered such grave human rights violations. We urge the UK Government to stand with the Tamils and heed the recommendations of the UN High Commissioner to refer the perpetrators of atrocities to the International Criminal Court.