Tamil Eelam "Non-Self Governing territories" [OUR MISSION]

 

UN Decolonization and Re-indigenization of the Tamil Homeland in Sri Lanka

     In solidarity,

     Wimal Navaratnam

     Human Rights Advocate | ABC Tamil Oli (ECOSOC)

1. Introduction

The Sri Lankan Tamil community, or Eelam Tamils, is a distinct ethnic group with deep historical roots in the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. These regions, once governed by a Tamil kingdom, were merged with Sinhala areas under British colonial rule in 1833. Upon independence in 1948, Tamil autonomy was not restored, leading to claims of improper decolonization. Despite the end of the civil war in 2009, Tamil grievances remain unresolved. The community now calls for a UN-led decolonization process and re-indigenization to reclaim their rights and identity.

2. Land Rights and Territorial Ownership

Land is central to Tamil identity. Since independence, Tamil lands have been systematically appropriated through state-sponsored colonization, military occupation, and development schemes. Key entitlements include:

- Restoration of ancestral lands.
- Protection against demographic engineering.
- Legal recognition of the Tamil homeland.
- Demilitarization of Tamil areas.
- Community control over natural resources.
These demands are grounded in international law, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

3. Cultural Preservation and Identity

Tamil culture—language, religion, arts, and historical memory—has faced systematic erosion through war, state policies, and cultural imposition. Major threats include:

- Destruction of cultural institutions (e.g., Jaffna Library).
- “Buddhization” of Tamil areas.
- Marginalization of the Tamil language.
To preserve their identity, Tamils seek:
- Full implementation of language rights.
- Protection of religious and historical sites.
- Freedom to memorialize and narrate their history.
- Support for cultural development and participation.

4. Political Autonomy and Self-Determination

Tamils assert their right to self-determination, as recognized by international law. Their political aspirations include:

- Recognition as a nation within Sri Lanka.
- Federal autonomy through a merged Northern and Eastern province.
- An independent Tamil Eelam via a UN-supervised referendum.
- Interim international protection mechanisms.
- Fair representation in national governance.

These options reflect a spectrum from internal autonomy to full independence, depending on the fulfillment of Tamil rights and security.

5. Re-indigenization of Tamils in the Tamil Homeland

Re-indigenization is a decolonial strategy to restore Tamil sovereignty and cultural primacy. It includes:

- Gaining international recognition as an Indigenous people.
- Reviving Tamil culture and education.
- Reclaiming land and empowering local communities.
- Pursuing transitional justice and healing.
- Building institutions both locally and in exile (e.g., TGTE).
- Forming global alliances with other Indigenous and decolonization movements.

The goal is to reestablish Tamils as the majority in their own land, with full rights to culture, governance, and development.

6. UN Advocacy: Engaging the C24

Tamil NGOs can petition the UN Special Committee on Decolonization (C24) by:

1. Documenting the Tamil case as one of unfinished decolonization.
2. Securing legal and expert support.
3. Building diplomatic coalitions.
4. Submitting a formal petition to the C24 Chair.
5. Participating in UN seminars and sessions.
6. Lobbying the Fourth Committee and General Assembly.
7. Using parallel UN human rights mechanisms.
8. Launching global awareness campaigns.
9. Exploring legal action in international courts.
10. Maintaining persistence and refining advocacy over time.

Conclusion

The Tamil struggle for decolonization and re-indigenization is a legitimate, peaceful, and rights-based movement. It seeks to correct historical injustices and ensure that Tamils can live with dignity, autonomy, and cultural integrity in their homeland. Through coordinated international advocacy and grassroots empowerment, the Tamil people aim to reclaim their future as a self-governing Indigenous nation.