The Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal met in Berlin in May 2022 for its third session dedicated to Sri Lanka, which was attended by human rights activists from Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America.
This session followed two previous sessions by the Tribunal: the first, held in Dublin in 2010, shortly after the massacre of the Eelam Tamil population by the Sri Lankan government; the second, held in Bremen in 2014, during which a detailed judgement was presented. It classified these events as genocide under international law, while outlining the framework of direct and indirect responsibilities and collusion that ensured the persistent denial of the rights of the Tamil people.
The third judgement of the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal (PPT) on Sri Lanka is a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice and accountability for the country’s conflict, as it highlights the role of the United States in the tragic events recognised as genocidal and draws the attention of the international community to this issue. On 25 September 2022, the PPT panel of judges handed down their decision, highlighting the serious human rights violations suffered by the Tamil population, particularly women, and identifying the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom as responsible. They accused these governments of obstructing and diverting peace processes, often with the tacit consent of European Union countries.
Requesting organisations:
- Irish Forum for Peace in Sri Lanka (IFPSL) Dublin
- International Human Rights Association (IMRV), Bremen.
Documentation: