At the UNHRC: Ms. Kartthikagini Atchalingam Demands End to Land Grabbing and Militarization in North-East Sri Lanka

From Geneva to Sri Lanka: ADEAGE Appeals to the International Community to Halt State-Led Displacement of Tamil Communities

GENEVA – In a forceful address to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Ms. Kartthikagini Atchalingam, representing the Association for the Defence and Promotion of Human Rights (ADEAGE), called on the international community to take immediate and decisive action regarding the deteriorating human rights situation in the North and East of Sri Lanka.

Speaking during the General Debate of the Council’s 55th Session, Ms. Atchalingam highlighted what she described as a "systematic and calculated effort" by the Sri Lankan state to marginalize the Tamil population through militarization, land grabbing, and the suppression of civil liberties.

Focus on Land Grabbing and Militarization

Central to the ADEAGE presentation was the issue of state-led land acquisitions under the guise of archaeological preservation and forestry conservation. Ms. Atchalingam noted that these practices are frequently used to displace Tamil communities from their ancestral lands.

"The continued presence of the military in civilian spheres and the ongoing land grabs are not merely administrative issues; they are part of a broader strategy to alter the demography of the North and East," she told the Council. She emphasized that such actions undermine the potential for any genuine reconciliation and keep the region in a state of perpetual instability.

Call for International Accountability

Criticizing the failure of domestic mechanisms in Sri Lanka, Ms. Atchalingam argued that over a decade has passed since the end of the civil war without any meaningful progress toward accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The presentation urged the Council to move beyond monitoring and towards active enforcement. Specifically, ADEAGE called for:

●       Referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC): Citing the lack of political will for domestic prosecutions.

●       Universal Jurisdiction: Encouraging UN member states to investigate and prosecute alleged perpetrators of human rights violations in their own national courts.

●       Strengthened Monitoring: Urging the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to maintain a robust evidence-gathering mechanism.

Harassment of Human Rights Defenders

The statement also drew attention to the shrinking civic space in Sri Lanka. Ms. Atchalingam reported a "chilling environment" for activists, journalists, and families of the disappeared, who face constant surveillance and intimidation by security agencies.

"Human rights defenders are being labeled as extremists for simply seeking the truth about their loved ones," she said, referring to the families of the forcibly disappeared who have been protesting for years in the North and East.

Global Implications

The presentation by ADEAGE comes at a critical time as the UNHRC evaluates its ongoing resolution on Sri Lanka. By bringing these issues to the floor in Geneva, Ms. Atchalingam and ADEAGE aim to ensure that the grievances of the Tamil people remain a priority on the international agenda.

As the session continues, the Council is expected to weigh these testimonies against the Sri Lankan government’s assertions of progress, with many international observers siding with the calls for more stringent international oversight.

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About ADEAGE: The Association for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights (ADEAGE) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of marginalized communities and ensuring state compliance with international human rights standards.

     In solidarity,

     Wimal Navaratnam

     Human Rights Advocate | ABC Tamil Oli (ECOSOC)

      Email: tamilolicanada@gmail.com