Sathyaraj extends support to UK Tamil activist Ambihai Selvakumar

Actor Sathyaraj has backed Tamil activist Ambihai Selvakumar, who is on a fast-unto-death protest demanding the UK refer Sri Lanka to the ICC

Sathyaraj backs Tamil activist ambihai selvakumar

Actor Sathyaraj has come out in strong support of Tamil activist Ambihai Selvakumar, who is at the moment staging a fast-unto-death protest in London demanding that the UK refer Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for its crimes committed against the Tamil community.

In a video clip, Sathyaraj said, “I whole heartedly welcome and support sister Ambihai’s non violent protest against the massacre that took place in Jaffna. She has taken up this hunger protest/fast until death in order to seek justice for the war crimes that Tamils faced. She has fought this cause in the most the righteous way. Hence I wish that her requests are answered by the International Court of Justice soon and they put an end to her hunger protest. Dear sister Ambihai has also framed certain grounds on how the case should be fough and I welcome these suggestions. I wish her all success once again.”

Ambihai Selvakumar began her fast unto death on February 27, even as the UN Human Rights Council convened in Geneva for its 42nd session. Selvakumar, who is a director of the International Centre for Prevention of Genocide (ICPPG), has announced that she will not break her fast unto death until:

1.The UK recommends to the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly that Sri Lanka be referred to the International Criminal Court which must take steps to effectively investigate charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

2.An International Independent Investigative Mechanism (IIIM), similar to ones established for Syria and Myanmar, must be established. This IIIM must be tasked with collecting evidence of international crimes and human rights violations. It must prepare for criminal prosecutions which must happen within a strict time frame.

3.Mandate that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) appoint a Special Rapporteur to continue to monitor Sri Lanka for on-going violations.

4. Recommend an UN-monitored Referendum to determine the aspirations of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka, on the basis that the North-East of Sri Lanka is the traditional Tamil homeland and the Tamils have the right to self-determination.