Allegation: Attempt to Contain Enforced Disappearances Issue Within Domestic Mechanism – Human Rights Activist Raises Concern
Human rights activist S. Sivayoganathan has expressed concern that the issue of enforced disappearances is being pushed into a domestic mechanism, allegedly with the involvement of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
In a statement, he noted that the ICRC had organised a closed-door discussion in Colombo from the 5th to the 7th of this month, with around 20 representatives of families of the disappeared from across the Northern, Eastern, and other parts of the country participating.
He further stated that participants were informed that the ICRC would no longer work directly with families of the disappeared, but would instead function only as a funding and support partner.
According to Sivayoganathan, it was also conveyed that coordination activities, including meetings conducted through the Ministry of Justice, the President’s Office, and the Office on Missing Persons, would be handled by the Sarvodaya organization, which has a nationwide presence.
He added that initial efforts would be focused in the Northern Province and, if successful, would later be expanded to the Eastern Province.
While some participants from the North and East reportedly expressed support for the initiative, several affected families have expressed concern that such moves could gradually weaken their long-standing demand for international justice.
Sivayoganathan has called on families of the disappeared, civil society activists, diaspora Tamils, and media organisations to unite on the issue. He also urged continued support for international accountability mechanisms and warned against actions that could undermine the pursuit of justice.
