UN Human Rights Chief visit Chemmani mass grave in Jaffna

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk visited the Chemmani mass grave site in Jaffna today as part of his three-day official visit to the country. 

Following his visit to the mass grave site, the UN Human Rights Chief met with protesters who have been on a three-day continuous protest near the site and commemorated the victims who were massacred and buried in the past/ 

The protesters handed over a petition urging to conduct an impartial international investigation into alleged human rights violations that occurred during the final phases of the 2009 war in the country, and continue the process of gathering evidence by a UN mechanism. 

Earlier today, High Commissioner Turk visited the Trincomalee district, where he met with representatives of civil society organisations in the Eastern Province, including members of the Association of Relatives of the Forced Disappeared at the Jubilee Hall located on College Road.

Meanwhile, a protest was staged outside the venue, jointly organised by victims from the Eastern Province, the North-Eastern Social Movement, and other civil groups.

The High Commissioner stepped out to listen to the concerns raised by protesters. A memorandum outlining their demands was also handed over to him during the engagement. (Pixs- Theva Athiran & N. Lohathayalan)