Int'l Day of Disappeared: Families of Disappeared stage protest across N&E

Protesting families of the Disappeared staged a protest in Jaffna today (Aug 30) where they carried fire bowls- as vows in their long struggle towards justice and truth. Pix: Northeastern Monito

Families of Enforced Disappeared persons in North and Eastern provinces staged protests across the seven districts of two provinces demanding justice today.

Marking International Day of Enforced Disappeared persons which falls on August 30, families took to the streets in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, and Mannar as protesting families of disappeared marked continuous protest in two provinces for 2749 days. Along with relatives of enforced missing persons, university students, civil society and youth groups also took part in the protest march. 

In Jaffna, the protest march commenced from Ariyakulam junction and reached Muniyappar temple via Pointpedro road- KKS road. 

The Collective organization - the Association for Relatives of the Enforced Disappearances - North and Eastern Provinces organized the protest from the Kilinochchi bus stand and proceeded to Depot Junction where they handed over a petition to UN authorities. 

Protesters were carrying placards along with photographs of their missing loved ones demanding truth and justice even after fifteen years passed since the end of the war.

Meanwhile, police have secured a court order against the scheduled protest by families of the disappeared in Trincomalee saying it is a "threat to public harmony and peace" yesterday. A civil society activist Rajkumar Rajeevkanth was also briefly questioned by police at the protest in Trincomalee. 

In a message marking the International Day of the Disappeared, UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche said "This day is also an opportunity to renew our pledge that enforced disappearances – a crime under international human rights law – will never be permitted or tolerated,"

Impunity compounds the suffering and anguish of the victims. International experience in tackling forced disappearances has also clearly demonstrated the inextricable link between justice and truth, the UN Resident Coordinator stressed. 

"Establishing truth and accountability is also closely linked to realising Sustainable Development Goals, notably those aimed at promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, promoting access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels," he said. 

The country office of the UN also said that it renews its solidarity with all victims of enforced disappearances and will continue to advocate for truth, justice and reparations. "We also reiterate our support to Sri Lankan authorities including through technical expertise and cooperation to help address this most unwanted legacy," (Northeastern Monitor/ August 30/ 2024)