The Hon. K. Kader Masthan

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem. Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the adjournment motion on human rights issues faced by Tamil people in the North, East, and the Malaiyaha region.

¶ 02 Since Independence, minorities have been significantly affected, with basic rights neglected. Civil rights violations and war emerged from sustained discrimination, pushing some to take up arms. The UN Human Rights Council’s reports flag serious human rights violations here. Thousands in the North and East have disappeared; families continue protests seeking answers, yet have received no justice. The responsibility to address this now lies with you.

¶ 03 Minorities—Tamils and Muslims—were heavily affected, but so were many from the majority community. Under the PTA, many have suffered. You yourselves were affected by the PTA during your protest years. We expected you to repeal it upon assuming office. Please do so swiftly and protect human rights.

¶ 04 We also see torture in army camps and police stations; inquiries are conducted, but what are the outcomes? Are perpetrators punished? Accountability is rare. Pay attention to this.

¶ 05 In the Vanni, particularly in my Vanni District, land grabs are occurring: for military camps; by the Archaeology Department; by the Forest and Wildlife Departments—gazzetting people’s lands arbitrarily—violating basic rights. We have raised this with the President, ministers, and district and national coordinating committees; release these lands without delay. Our people’s urgent needs exceed even their rights today—if lands are not released, what of their rights?

¶ 06 After the war, many INGOs and foreign governments sought to support livelihoods, but NGO activities have been tightly restricted—this too is a human rights concern. Relax restrictions so services can reach people.

¶ 07 On women, rights are widely violated. Women earn salaries 27% less than men on average. Address this inequality and gender-based violence; protect women with concrete actions.

¶ 08 On education and health infrastructure, the North and East lag far behind. In my area, there are severe shortages of principals and teachers, which violates students’ basic rights. These shortages are longstanding; please resolve them. The Tamil and Muslim communities voted for you in large numbers, trusting your promises. I remind you of that.

¶ 09 For Muslims, a pressing issue: Tamil translations of the Holy Qur’an are being blocked from import. You may say it was a previous government’s committee decision, but if that committee violates basic rights, why continue it? Release the 16,000 Tamil translations immediately and hold accountable those responsible for this injustice.

¶ 10 I conclude with that request. Thank you.