Peaceful Protest During UN High Commissioner’s Visit to Trincomalee

Peaceful Protest During UN High Commissioner’s Visit to Trincomalee

On June 25, 2025, a peaceful demonstration was held in Trincomalee to coincide with the visit of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk. The protest brought together affected community members, civil society actors, and human rights defenders from the Eastern Province, highlighting ongoing land rights violations, enforced disappearances, and systemic injustices faced by the Tamil people.

Widely praised for its discipline and strong message, the event symbolized the determination of the Tamil community to seek justice and accountability through peaceful, democratic means. Observers noted the professionalism with which the event was organized and the dignified manner in which it was conducted. Mr. Türk reportedly received the protest positively and engaged warmly with its representatives.

Memorandum Submitted to the UN Human Rights Chief

A formal petition was submitted to Mr. Türk during his visit, outlining serious concerns about the human rights situation in the North and East. The document, endorsed by victims and social movements across the region, urged the UN to take concrete international action in pursuit of justice and political resolution.

Key demands included:

• Establishing an international criminal justice mechanism to investigate war crimes and genocide.

• Allowing international forensic experts to investigate mass graves.

• Referring Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court.

• Ending land grabs and cultural destruction in Tamil areas.

• Demanding justice for enforced disappearances.

• Repealing oppressive laws like the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

• Proposing a hybrid accountability mechanism involving both Sri Lankan and international actors.

The petition emphasized that Tamil victims and civil actors still place their hope in the UN system—especially the UNHRC—for meaningful progress toward transitional justice, accountability, and reconciliation.

Photos and Engagements

Photos taken after the discussions in Colombo (24 June) and Trincomalee (25 June) show AHRC representatives and civil society leaders engaging with Mr. Türk, reaffirming their collective plea for justice on behalf of their communities.

UNHRC Statement

Mr. Volker Türk’s statement following his mission reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to securing justice for victims, including families of the forcibly disappeared.

📎 Read his official statement:
🔗 https://web.facebook.com/UNSriLanka
🔗 https://www.ohchr.org/.../06/turk-ends-mission-sri-lanka