The Association for Relatives of Enforced Disappearances in Jaffna District staged a protest in Nallur this week, once again drawing attention to the unresolved plight of thousands of Tamils who were forcibly disappeared by Sri Lanka’s armed forces.
The demonstration saw the participation of Tamil families—predominantly women—who have for years been at the forefront of a tireless campaign to uncover the truth about their missing loved ones. They reiterated their long-standing demand for truth, justice, and accountability from both the Sri Lankan state and the international community.
The protesters carried placards bearing powerful messages, including “Promises of Compensation are Meant to Conceal Murder” and “Will International Justice Ever Prevail?”, voicing their deep scepticism towards state-led initiatives that offer financial reparations in lieu of genuine truth-seeking or criminal accountability.
Tamil families of the disappeared have repeatedly stressed that uncovering the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones is fundamental to any meaningful process of justice. Despite repeated assurances by successive Sri Lankan governments and the establishment of multiple commissions of inquiry, no credible answers have been provided, nor have any perpetrators been held accountable.
The protest comes amidst widespread frustration within the Tamils over the lack of political will to address enforced disappearances. It is estimated that tens of thousands of Tamils were forcibly disappeared during the final stages of the Mullivaikkal genocide in 2009, especially after surrendering to or being detained by Sri Lankan security forces.
Many of these disappearances took place in May 2009, when families handed over their relatives to the Sri Lankan military in the belief that they would be treated in accordance with international humanitarian law. Instead, most of these individuals were never seen again.
This protest in Jaffna is part of a broader movement of families of the disappeared across Tamil Eelam, many of whom have been protesting continuously for over eight years in towns such as Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, and Vavuniya. The Sri Lankan government has largely continued to deflect or deny responsibility.
