Association for Relatives of Enforced Disappearances letter to HCHR Feb 2026
Mr. Volker Turk
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Geneva,
Switzerland
Your Excellency,
We write to you as we mark nine uninterrupted years of peaceful protest and advocacy
by the Association for the Relatives of the Enforced Disappearances(ARED), in pursuit of
truth, justice, and accountability for our forcibly disappeared loved ones, including 29
babies whose fate remains unknown.
Since the commencement of our campaign on 20 th February 2017, families of the
disappeared have sustained continuous public demonstrations, documentation efforts,
and engagement with international mechanisms. Our struggle represents not only a
demand for answers but also a call for adherence to international human rights standards
and obligations concerning enforced disappearances.
Our continuous public demonstrations and sustained engagement with international
mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council (HRC) and other United Nations
institutions, reflect an unwavering commitment to the protection and enforcement of
internationally recognized human rights norms.
Despite repeated appeals, domestic authorities have failed to implement credible,
impartial, and effective investigations, and families of the disappeared have not received
truth, justice, or reparations consistent with international standards.
International Legal Framework and Obligations
1. International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced
Disappearance (ICPPED) obligates States to prevent enforced disappearances,
promptly investigate allegations, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure victims’
rights to truth, justice, and reparations.
2. Human Rights Council Resolutions affirm the prohibition of enforced disappearance,
the need for independent investigations, and support for international cooperation,
including:
o A/HRC/RES/36/6 (2017)
o A/HRC/RES/45/3 (2020)
o A/HRC/RES/54/14 (2023)
3. Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation (UNGA
60/147) affirm the right of victims to effective remedies, compensation, rehabilitation,
and guarantees of non-repetition.
Outstanding Issues and Continuing Violations
o Unknown Fate: The fate and whereabouts of persons who surrendered or were
taken into custody at the end and during the armed conflict remain unknown,
including 29 infants and young children.
o Impunity: Fifteen years have elapsed since the end of the armed conflict without
meaningful accountability for perpetrators or political leaders.
o Domestic Mechanisms: Domestic judicial mechanisms have failed to secure
victims’ confidence or deliver impartial investigations.
Specific Requests to the Office of the High Commissioner
In light of the above, and consistent with international law, we respectfully request that
the Office of the High Commissioner:
I.
Strengthen efforts toward establishing credible international accountability
mechanisms to investigate enforced disappearances and ensure justice for victims,
including children.
II. Investigate and prosecute officials and officers who were in charge of military sentry
points where our kith and kin surrendered or were handed over. They should be
compelled to reveal the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared and ultimately
brought before international justice.
III. Respect victims’ rejection of domestic mechanisms: Any judicial processes without
full involvement and participation of the families must be avoided, as fifteen precious
years have already been wasted without progress.
IV. Refer Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court (ICC): Following UN reports
confirming over 70,000 Tamil deaths and thousands of enforced disappearances,
including babies, during the last six months of the 2009 conflict, we urge that the Sri
Lankan government and military be arraigned before the ICC in line with UN
recommendations.
V. Immediate withdrawal of the military from Tamil areas: The continued presence of
armed forces in Tamil towns and villages perpetuates fear and terror and must be
ended without delay.
VI. Stop land grab and Sinhalisation policies: The Sinhalese government is engaged in
colonisation of Tamil lands, illegal land acquisition, and conversion of Hindu shrines
into Buddhist viharas. We request international intervention to stop these activities
and ensure return of illegally seized lands to rightful owners.
VII. Support a permanent solution for the Tamil people: A permanent resolution of the
ethnic conflict, including protection from genocidal activities and recurrent
oppression, can only be achieved through a referendum among Tamils organized by
the international community in line with recognized international standards.
Enforced disappearance is a continuing violation under international law, ongoing as long
as the fate of the disappeared remains unknown and impunity persists. For us, it is also
ongoing grief, intensified by the loss of children and infants. Nine years of peaceful
advocacy without resolution underscore both the resilience of victims and the urgent
need for decisive international action.
We remain committed to peaceful advocacy and place our hope in the principled
leadership of your Office to uphold human rights and support the realization of justice.
Thank you for
Thank you.
A.Leeladevi
General Secretary
ARED