Uniting for Justice: Why Tamil Organizations Need a Centralized Legal Team [July 12, 2025]

Introduction: A Long Wait for Accountability

More than 16 years have passed since the brutal final phase of Sri Lanka’s civil war in May 2009, yet justice for the mass atrocities against Tamils remains elusive. Tens of thousands of Tamil civilians were killed in what the United Nations later called a “bloodbath”, especially during the Mullivaikkal Massacre of 2009. In the war’s aftermath, Tamil survivors and activists have pressed relentlessly for accountability—through protests, petitions, and pleas to the world. However, the international responses so far have largely failed to deliver meaningful results, leaving Tamil communities frustrated and betrayed. This persistent injustice is not due to a lack of effort or courage on the Tamils’ part. Instead, it stems from systemic failures in the mechanisms meant to ensure justice, and from the fragmentation and obstacles that Tamil organizations themselves have faced along the way.

This blog article shines a light on those systemic failures and the challenges thwarting Tamil organizations in their quest for justice. More importantly, it makes a passionate case for Tamil leaders and organizations worldwide to unite in creating a centralized legal team capable of taking on cases at the International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and other international forums. By coming together and pooling their resources, Tamil groups can leverage their considerable financial and organizational strengths to pursue a bold, coordinated legal strategy. The goal is clear: to finally hold perpetrators accountable on the world stage and to secure justice and dignity for the Tamil people.

Systemic Failures and Obstacles So Far

International Inaction: In the aftermath of the war, the United Nations and world powers acknowledged grievous lapses in protecting Tamil civilians. A 2012 UN internal review admitted “systemic failure… to the detriment of hundreds of thousands of [Tamil] civilians” during the war’s final stages. Yet this recognition has not translated into decisive action. Over a decade of UN Human Rights Council resolutions and international promises have not resulted in a single war crimes conviction. Instead, Sri Lanka’s government has been repeatedly given more time and space to enact its own “homegrown” justice processes – delays that Tamil advocates warned would “permanently deny justice for Tamils.” Each delay has indeed allowed impunity to fester. The few domestic inquiries and commissions established in Sri Lanka were described by Amnesty International as “make believe” exercises, often designed to deflect international pressure rather than deliver truth. These local mechanisms have either exonerated suspects or simply dragged on until public attention waned. For example, security forces accused of executing five Tamil students in 2006 (the “Trinco 5” case) walked free in 2019 for “lack of evidence,” even though top officials privately acknowledged the perpetrators’ identity. Such outcomes are commonplace: Sri Lanka’s judicial system has failed Tamil victims repeatedly, hindered by political interference, missing evidence, and intimidation of witnesses. In short, domestic institutions have utterly failed to hold anyone accountable for heinous crimes against Tamils.

Continued Oppression: Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan state continues practices that Tamils decry as an ongoing campaign of persecution. To this day, majority Tamil regions in the north and east remain under heavy military occupation, with one soldier for every two civilians in some areas. Tamil families of the disappeared have spent years protesting on the streets, demanding to know the fate of thousands who vanished in army custody. Instead of answers, they have met surveillance and harassment. Land appropriation in Tamil areas, harsh anti-terror laws, and discrimination are still reported under successive governments. This persistent repression reinforces the sense that Tamils cannot rely on Sri Lanka’s government or courts for justice or security. Trust in domestic remedies is virtually zero, given that the very institutions responsible for justice are viewed as complicit or unwilling to act.

Diaspora Challenges: Tamil organizations in the diaspora – spread across North America, Europe, Australia, and beyond – have been a driving force pushing for international action. However, they too have encountered serious obstacles. Successive Sri Lankan regimes have actively undermined and vilified Tamil diaspora groups to obstruct their advocacy. In 2014, and again in 2021 and 2024, Colombo banned dozens of Tamil diaspora organizations and hundreds of individuals, absurdly labeling them as terrorist fronts. Groups such as the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE), the Canadian Tamil Congress, and the Tamil Youth Organization – all legally operating and peaceful diaspora groups – suddenly found themselves proscribed in Sri Lanka. The bans, enacted via gazette, criminalize any engagement between these diaspora organizations and people inside Sri Lanka. This tactic aims to isolate the Tamil populace at home from their global supporters and to discredit diaspora activism as “terrorism-related” in the eyes of the international community. Sri Lankan officials have even accused respected human rights advocacy groups (like PEARL – People for Equality and Relief in Lanka) of bribing foreign lawmakers, in an attempt to paint diaspora political lobbying as nefarious. Despite these smear campaigns, Tamil diaspora organizations have persisted, but the stigma of unjust terror designations has made their work harder. It intimidates potential allies and complicates efforts to engage governments or the United Nations when one side of the conversation is being slandered as extremist.

Fragmentation and Disunity: Perhaps the most crucial obstacle has been the lack of a unified front among Tamil organizations. After the war, the Tamil diaspora burst into a multitude of groups championing the cause of justice and Tamil rights. While diversity can be strength, in this case it often led to duplicated efforts and strategic incoherence. For instance, one umbrella body – the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) – emerged in 2009 as a coalition of diaspora groups, but over the years it splintered; many founding members left due to strategic disagreements. Competing diaspora networks formed, such as the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam, country-specific councils (British Tamil Forum, Australian Tamil Congress, etc.), and new coalitions like the Federation of Global Tamil Organizations. All of these share the same ultimate goals – justice, security, and political rights for Tamils – yet at times they pursued parallel tracks without coordination. For example, when seeking international justice, some groups focused on UN lobbying, others on grassroots protests, and yet others on legal submissions. Lack of coordination meant opportunities were missed and resources spread thin. Worse, divisions gave adversaries an opening: Sri Lankan diplomats eagerly point to Tamil infighting to claim there is “no unified Tamil voice.” It is a bitter truth that despite monumental community efforts, the absence of a single cohesive strategy has hampered the Tamil struggle for accountability.

Strength in Numbers: Tamil Communities’ Capabilities

Despite the obstacles, the Tamil community – both in Sri Lanka’s North-East and across the global diaspora – possesses formidable strengths. These financial and organizational capabilities are a beacon of hope, showing that Tamils have the capacity to turn the tide if they unite.

A Global and Mobilized Diaspora: The Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora is millions strong and spans dozens of countries. An estimated 1.5 million Sri Lankan Tamils live outside the island, in Canada, the UK, the USA, Australia, Europe, and Southeast Asia. This diaspora grew out of tragedy – waves of refugees fleeing ethnic pogroms and war over decades – but it has flourished into well-established communities abroad. For example, Canada is home to over 200,000 Tamils, mainly around Toronto, where Tamil entrepreneurs, professionals, and youth thrive. These communities have not forgotten their roots. They have consistently demonstrated the ability to mobilize en masse for the Tamil cause. We saw this vividly in 2009, when tens of thousands of diaspora Tamils poured into the streets of London, Toronto, Geneva, and other cities to protest the killings in Sri Lanka. That spirit of activism endures. Tamil diaspora organizations have since organized countless rallies and campaigns worldwide to keep international attention on Sri Lanka’s injustices. From hunger strikes in London and Ottawa, to mass demonstrations at the UN in Geneva, to car and bicycle rallies in European capitals – the Tamil diaspora’s commitment is on full display. They also amplify the voices from home: when Tamil families in the North-East march for their rights or refuse to let the world forget the disappeared, diaspora groups echo those demands in world forums.

Financial Resources and Professional Talent: The diaspora is not only large but also highly resourceful. Over decades abroad, many Tamils have achieved economic stability and success, enabling them to donate generously to community causes. During the war years, the LTTE and associated charities raised substantial funds from diaspora contributions – often running into the millions annually. Today, without the constraints of war, these contributions are channeled into charitable projects, political advocacy, and remembrance events. The community has built Tamil schools, cultural centers, and even war memorials in the diaspora (such as the Tamil Genocide memorial in Ontario, Canada) through voluntary fundraising. This history proves that if inspired by a common mission, the diaspora can quickly raise significant funds for that cause. Moreover, Tamils boast an impressive pool of educated professionals – lawyers, scholars, human rights experts, and diplomats – among their ranks. Many volunteer through advocacy groups like PEARL, Tamil Rights Group, and others, contributing their expertise to research and lobbying. When diaspora organizations have sought expert help externally, they’ve shown they can afford top talent. For instance, the Canada-based Tamil Rights Group (TRG) put together an international legal team including renowned lawyers (like David Matas and Wayne Jordash QC) to advise on an ICC submission. In the UK, another effort brought on Global Rights Compliance, a respected law firm, to represent 200 Tamil victims making a case at the ICC. All this was possible because the community invested financially in justice initiatives. The bottom line is clear: Tamils worldwide have the money, skills, and dedication to mount a serious international legal offensive – if they coordinate effectively.

Organizational Networks: Over time, Tamils have built an expansive network of organizations that underpin their advocacy. There are formal diaspora umbrella bodies in nearly every country with a sizeable Tamil population – from the British Tamil Forum to the Australian Tamil Congress to the federation of Tamil associations across Malaysia. In 2019, an incredible 109 Tamil diaspora organizations from around the globe signed a joint statement calling for Sri Lanka to be referred to the ICC. This list ranged from large political advocacy groups to cultural and religious associations, representing Tamils from Malaysia to Mauritius, South Africa to Scandinavia. Such broad unity in signing a common appeal showed that Tamils can come together across continents when the cause is urgent. Additionally, bodies like the International Council of Eelam Tamils (ICET) coordinate country councils of Tamil groups, enabling worldwide campaigns and synchronized protests. Even within Sri Lanka, Tamil civil society (religious leaders, student unions, families of victims) has been linking up with diaspora activists to present united demands. These networks are a tremendous asset. They mean information can be shared widely, campaigns can gain international reach, and community support can be rallied in multiple capitals at once. The infrastructure for unity is already in place – what remains is to focus it on a concrete, shared project of legal action.

The Case for a Centralized Legal Team

Given both the persistent failures of existing avenues and the latent strength of the Tamil community, one strategy emerges as both necessary and promising: establishing a centralized legal team dedicated to the Tamil cause on the international stage. In practical terms, this means Tamil leaders and organizations pooling their resources to create a united front of lawyers, researchers, and advocates who will pursue justice in all relevant forums – notably the ICC, the ICJ, and other international mechanisms. Here’s why this move is critical:

Strength in Unity: Right now, multiple Tamil groups are pursuing accountability through different legal and diplomatic tracks. For example, Tamil Rights Group (TRG) lodged a groundbreaking communication at the ICC in 2021, focusing on how the crime of deportation during the war (the coerced mass exodus of Tamil civilians) gives the ICC jurisdiction since victims fled to ICC member countries like Canada and Germany. Separately, another organization engaged Global Rights Compliance to file a similar complaint on behalf of Tamil victims in the UK. Elsewhere, diaspora activists are lobbying national governments to exercise universal jurisdiction and prosecute Sri Lankan war criminals who travel abroad. All these efforts are commendable – but imagine their impact if they were coordinated under one banner. A centralized team could integrate these initiatives, ensuring they complement rather than duplicate each other. There would be a single, strong Tamil voice in legal proceedings, making the case on behalf of the entire community. Unity of purpose invariably sends a stronger message. As the saying goes, “Together we stand, divided we fall.” A unified legal team symbolizes that Tamils are standing together, and it prevents anyone from playing divide-and-rule with different factions.
Comprehensive Strategy – ICC, ICJ, and Beyond: Different international bodies offer different paths to justice, and a cohesive team would be able to navigate all of them in parallel. The International Criminal Court (ICC) can prosecute individuals responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. However, Sri Lanka is not a member of the ICC, which complicates matters. Creative legal arguments (like linking ICC jurisdiction through crimes spilling into member states) are one way forward, but they need top-notch legal minds and sustained follow-up with the ICC Office of the Prosecutor. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), on the other hand, handles disputes between states – which means a case at the ICJ would likely involve a country suing Sri Lanka for breaching the Genocide Convention or other treaties. Recently, Tamil diaspora groups have explicitly called for UN member states to refer Sri Lanka to the ICJ under the Genocide Convention, inspired by how The Gambia took Myanmar to the ICJ for the Rohingya genocide. To make that happen, a legal team must prepare a compelling brief and actively lobby potential state partners to champion the case. Beyond courts, there are other arenas: the UN Human Rights Council’s evidence preservation mechanism (which can be fed with information for future trials), universal jurisdiction cases in national courts, and advocacy for sanctions or travel bans on alleged perpetrators. Coordinating all these efforts requires organization and legal expertise. A centralized team can assign different tasks to specialists – some lawyers focus on ICC procedure, others on ICJ strategy, others on assembling evidence dossiers for domestic prosecutions – all the while sharing information and guided by a common game plan. This avoids the current scattershot approach and ramps up efficiency.
Credibility and Professionalism: A unified legal front would also enhance the credibility of Tamil efforts. Instead of ad-hoc campaigns that opponents might dismiss as political grandstanding, there would be a visible, professional entity engaging with international institutions. Picture a respected team of international lawyers, backed by a mandate from all major Tamil organizations, holding press conferences and submitting legal filings on behalf of the Tamil people. It would be much harder for the world to ignore such a team. It sends a message that Tamils are serious about justice, pursuing it through lawful and rigorous means. This directly counters the Sri Lankan government’s propaganda that Tamil activists are “terrorists” or unserious. In fact, using courts and legal avenues is the polar opposite of terrorism – it is an affirmation of faith in rule of law. By investing in a top-tier legal team, Tamil organizations also demonstrate professionalism to allies and donors. It reassures the international community that any support (political or financial) given to the Tamil cause will be utilized in a responsible, results-driven manner by experts. In short, a centralized team would put a legitimate, human rights-focused face on the Tamil struggle, one that is difficult to discredit.
Overcoming Resource Constraints: Many of the past shortcomings were not due to lack of will, but lack of resources and coordination. International litigation is expensive and complex. A single diaspora group, no matter how passionate, can struggle to sustain a long-term legal battle. But pooling resources changes the equation. Tamil organizations collectively control substantial financial resources – from community fundraisers to donor networks – which, if consolidated, can comfortably finance a multiyear legal campaign. Similarly, each group has bits of evidence, archives, survivor testimonies, and research that they’ve collected over time. If these were centralized, it would create a goldmine of evidence for legal action. For example, activists have long talked about building a Tamil genocide archive or database to document every victim and atrocity with names, dates, and proof. A unified legal team could spearhead such an evidence database as a foundation for its cases, ensuring that no proof is lost or duplicated. By concentrating money, evidence, and expertise in one coordinated body, previous resource gaps can be filled. This means no lawsuit fails for lack of funds to pay lawyers, and no war criminal escapes because evidence was scattered and unorganized. The community’s strengths, when unified, can overcome its individual weaknesses.

Action Plan: Steps Toward a Unified Legal Strategy

Encouraging unity is easy to say – but how can Tamil leaders and organizations actually achieve it? Here are some actionable steps to build this centralized legal mechanism and kick-start a robust international justice campaign:

Convene a Tamil Leadership Summit: It starts with dialogue. Key figures from all major Tamil diaspora organizations, Tamil political leaders from the homeland, and respected community elders should convene (virtually or in person) to discuss forming a joint legal task force. This summit can be facilitated by a neutral Tamil civil society group or an eminent person trusted by all factions. The goal is to break down mistrust and get everyone to agree on the common objective of justice. Set aside political differences (whether one advocates for federalism or separatism, for now all agree that war criminals must be punished and genocide recognized). By the end of the summit, there should be a consensus to create a broad-based “Tamil Justice Council” or similar body to oversee legal efforts.
Establish a Steering Committee and Charter: Once there is agreement in principle, a steering committee can work out the structure. This committee would draft a charter outlining the mandate of the centralized legal team. Important points include: the team’s mission (pursuing cases at ICC, ICJ, and other fora), its non-partisan nature (not controlled by any one diaspora faction), and its accountability to the Tamil public. The committee should ensure representation from various regions (so Tamils from North-East Sri Lanka, as well as diaspora from Europe, North America, etc., have voices). Crucially, decide on a funding mechanism – perhaps creating a Justice Fund where all organizations contribute according to their capacity, providing the war chest for legal battles.
Hire a World-Class Legal Team: With funds pledged, the council can move to hire a team of qualified international lawyers and investigators. This might involve contracting a reputable law firm or assembling individual experts into a special unit. Look for those with experience in international criminal law, human rights litigation, and genocide investigations. Some names are already familiar allies – lawyers like Wayne Jordash QC (who called evidence of Sri Lankan crimes “overwhelming” in the ICC submission), or human rights prosecutors who have worked on tribunals for Rwanda or Yugoslavia. Recruit Tamil lawyers and researchers as well, from the diaspora and Tamil Nadu, to be part of the team – their passion and language skills will be assets. Having a dedicated staff, rather than relying solely on volunteers, ensures continuity and professionalism. They will be the ones drafting legal documents, liaising with courts, and guiding strategy day-to-day.
Develop a Unified Case Strategy: The legal team, under guidance of the council, should map out a multi-pronged strategy. For the ICC, this means strengthening the Article 15 communication already submitted – adding new evidence, addressing any jurisdictional questions, and following up relentlessly with the ICC Prosecutor’s office. For the ICJ, it involves identifying a suitable country (or countries) willing to bring a state case against Sri Lanka. The team might prepare a comprehensive brief on Sri Lanka’s breach of the Genocide Convention and then lobby sympathetic nations (possibly those with large Tamil diaspora electorates or a strong human rights track record) to take it up. Parallel efforts could target universal jurisdiction cases: for instance, if high-ranking alleged war criminals travel abroad (as has happened with ex-officials visiting the UK, Australia, etc.), the team can be ready to file complaints in those national courts. Additionally, engage with the UN Human Rights Council’s Sri Lanka evidence collection mechanism set up in 2021 – ensure it receives all the dossiers of evidence the team compiles, so that nothing is lost and future prosecutions are easier. By having one coherent strategy, the team can make sure these tracks support each other. For example, evidence from a universal jurisdiction case could bolster the ICC investigation; findings from a UN report could feed into the ICJ case. Regular strategy reviews should be held to monitor progress in each forum and adjust plans as needed.
Engage the Public and Grassroots: Unity will only last if the broader Tamil community is informed and involved. The centralized legal team should not operate in an ivory tower; it must actively communicate with the people. Set up a communications wing or spokesperson group that provides updates in Tamil and English to media and community gatherings. This transparency will build trust and maintain momentum. The team can launch a user-friendly website and social media presence that tracks the journey to justice – including timelines, milestones, and explanations of legal processes in simple terms. Moreover, tap into the community for help: encourage eyewitnesses and survivors to come forward to give affidavits (with assurance of protection and confidentiality), invite young Tamil professionals to volunteer skills (e.g. data analysis for the evidence database, translation work, etc.), and continue global awareness campaigns to keep international pressure high. When people see a clear plan and tangible actions, they are more likely to contribute their money and time. Grassroots energy will thus fuel the legal fight, creating a virtuous cycle of engagement.
Coordinate with Allies: Unity among Tamils should go hand-in-hand with building alliances outside the community. The legal team and Tamil organizations must work closely with international human rights NGOs, sympathetic foreign parliamentarians, and other ethnic communities who have faced similar struggles. Organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch can lend weight by providing reports and advocacy in support of legal steps. Friendly lawmakers (for example, those in the UNHRC Core Group on Sri Lanka) should be briefed regularly, so that diplomatic efforts complement legal ones. Learn from others: reach out to Rohingya advocacy groups to understand how they successfully initiated an ICJ case, or to Bosnian and Rwandan groups about their experiences with international tribunals. By presenting a united Tamil front, it’s easier to ask for and coordinate international solidarity. Allies will know exactly whom to talk to – the centralized team or council – rather than figuring out which of the many Tamil groups to engage. This streamlines support.

Each of these steps requires dedication and compromise, but none are beyond the Tamil community’s capabilities. In fact, some groundwork is already laid. There are signs of different Tamil diaspora factions coming together recently on common platforms. For example, in late 2023, numerous global Tamil diaspora groups jointly reiterated their commitment to seek an ICC referral for genocide and an ICJ case under the Genocide Convention – emphasizing that these goals arose from extensive consultations with grassroots communities and victims. This shows a shared vision is emerging. By channeling that collective vision into a concrete legal blueprint with the steps above, Tamil leaders can turn aspirations into action.

Conclusion: Turning Unity into Justice

For decades, the Tamil people have endured unimaginable pain – from the burning of Jaffna Library in 1981, to the Black July pogrom of 1983, to the shelling of hospitals in 2009, and the unhealed wounds that followed. Through it all, Tamil organizations and community leaders have never stopped fighting for truth and accountability. Now is the time to amplify that fight by uniting all Tamil voices into one powerful chorus for justice. A centralized legal team backed by a united community can do what individual efforts could not: break through the wall of impunity that has shielded perpetrators for so long.

Imagine the day when an international court finally calls to account those responsible for ordering mass killings and disappearances of Tamils. Imagine a future where Tamil survivors stand in The Hague to testify, with a team of brilliant lawyers by their side – their lawyers, representing the will of the Tamil nation – and the world listens. This is not a distant fantasy. It is within reach if Tamil leaders choose unity over division, strategy over spontaneity, and persistence over despair. The financial resources are there, the legal avenues exist, and the moral righteousness of the cause is unquestionable. The missing link is coordination and collective leadership. As one activist poignantly noted, Tamils cannot forever expect others to hand them justice; they must seek it on their own with the “same spirit of united uprising” they showed in 2009.

Every member of the Tamil diaspora, every activist in Tamil Eelam, and every ally who believes in human rights should take heart – and take part. By rallying around a unified legal initiative, the community can transform its grief and anger into a focused force for change. The road will be long and challenges will abound; there may be political hurdles, legal setbacks, or attempts to divide the ranks. But united, Tamils are resilient. They have outlasted lies and oppression for generations, and they are still here demanding justice.

Let this be the generation that finally secures a measure of accountability. In uniting for justice, Tamil organizations will not only honour those who perished by seeking truth in their name – they will also be building a safer, more dignified future for the next generation of Tamils. The message to the international community would ring loud and clear: we, the Tamil people, are organized, resolute, and here to claim our rights. And the message to every perpetrator of atrocities would be just as clear: you will no longer enjoy impunity. With unity, the long arc of moral justice can, and will, bend toward the Tamil people.

The time to act is now. Unity is the path, and justice is the prize. Let us seize them both, together.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This publication is intended for community awareness and advocacy purposes only. It does not endorse or denounce any specific Tamil organization or civil society group, nor does it claim legal authority. All information presented is based on publicly available sources, community accounts, and expert analysis. Readers are encouraged to verify claims independently and engage respectfully in constructive dialogue. The goal is to foster unity, transparency, and justice—not division.

Editor’s Note

At this critical juncture, the Tamil community must recognize the urgency of the moment. Justice delayed is justice denied—and the continued inaction from Tamil civil society organizations risks allowing historic atrocities to fade into silence.

This is a heartfelt appeal to Tamil leaders, institutions, and advocacy groups around the world:
You have the resources. You have the networks. You have the global support. What remains is the collective will to prioritize international justice above all else.

The community is watching. Survivors are waiting. The world is listening. Let this be the time when Tamil organizations rise together to build a centralized legal task force that can face the ICC, the ICJ, and the international arena with strength and unity.

Let history reflect that the Tamil nation did not stay silent or splintered, but stood tall and spoke with one voice. The future demands it. The victims deserve it. And justice depends on it.

In solidarity,

Wimal Navaratnam

Human Rights Advocate | ABC Tamil Oli (ECOSOC)

Email: tamilolicanada@gmail.com

Search This Blog