Relatives of enforced disappeared persons in N&E demand for justice

Marking the International day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances yesterday, relatives of enforced disappeared persons in North and Eastern provinces took the streets demanding answers on the fate of their loved ones.

The protests were held in Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara where protesters handed over petitions to UN regional offices urging them to intervene for a closure.

Despite police court order issued not to stage any protests in Batticaloa, the protesters went ahead and handed in the petition at the UN regional office. Local politicians, members of civil society and common public were among those who took part in the protests.

Meanwhile, the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) also noted that as a permanent, independent state institution, mandated to establish the truth, the OMP acknowledges the missing and disappeared of all communities, including personnel from the tri-forces and police reported as Missing in Action and the suffering caused to all families.

"Due to public health and safety concerns related to COVID19, the OMP commemorated the missing and disappeared with organizations working on the issue," it said.

Pix by N.Lohathayalan