People’s Protest for International Justice for the Chemmani Mass Grave
23–25 June 2025
Demands to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
▪ UN Monitoring of Excavations:
Demand that the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) permits the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Sri Lanka Accountability Project (OSLAP) to monitor and provide technical input into all mass grave excavations in Sri Lanka, including the ongoing Chemmani mass grave excavation.
▪ Unhindered Access for Evidence Collection:
Demand that the GoSL ensures unrestricted access for OSLAP to gather evidence regarding Genocide, War Crimes, and Crimes Against Humanity, in full accordance with UNHRC Resolution 46/1.
▪ Victim Representation and Technical Assistance:
Demand that the GoSL allows representatives of the families of the forcibly disappeared to independently access grave excavation sites and resources to ongoing and future mass grave excavations.
▪ Expedite Local Funding Requests:
Apply pressure on the GoSL to approve all pending and future funding requests from the Magistrate’s Court of Jaffna related to excavation and forensic investigation of mass graves.
▪ Re-examination of Known Mass Graves:
Apply pressure on the GoSL to reopen investigations into all known mass graves, ensuring that all excavations are conducted under international monitoring and supervision.
▪ Referral to International Criminal Court:
Urge the upcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council to escalate this matter to the UN General Assembly with a view toward referring Sri Lanka to the UN Security Council and ultimately the International Criminal Court, to ensure justice for the victims of gross human rights violations.
This commemorative plaque, containing Six Key Demands, is officially handed over to Mr. Volker Türk – United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 25 June 2025, during his official visit to Jaffna, Sri Lanka, by representatives of People’s Action (மக்கள் செயல்), as a testament to the people’s enduring pursuit of truth, justice, and international accountability.
