United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk reflected on his visit to the Chemmani mass grave site near Jaffna on Wednesday, reiterating the importance of ensuring “independent experts with forensic expertise” are allowed to be used to excavate such sites of mass atrocities.

Standing at the mass grave site, which has become emblematic of the state-sanctioned atrocities committed against Tamils, Türk reflected on the emotional weight of his visit.

The ongoing protest demanding justice for the victims of the Chemmani mass graves entered its third consecutive day on Wednesday, with families of the disappeared maintaining a solemn vigil at the site in Jaffna.