After a long hiatus we’re finally bringing you season three. We’re kicking off the season talking to Seran, a member of Solidarity for Eelam Tamils, a group focussed on education and awareness around the struggle of Eelam Tamils in so-called-Sri-Lanka And just a warning that this episode contains non-descriptive references to sexual violence including towards children Tamil Eelam is one of the most heavily occupied regions on earth. Eelam Tamils live under continued colonisation, ethnic cleansing and genocide by the Sri Lankan state. In some areas, there are still 2 occupying Sri Lankan soldiers for every 1 civilian. New colonies are set-up and constantly supported by the state. During the month of may, Eelam Tamils commemorate the lives lost in one of the Earth's largest massacres of the 21st century. Official statements by the International Truth and Justice Project point to around 170,000 lives lost in just the Mullivaikkal massacre during May 2009, and Eelam Tamil accounts point to a number higher than 200,000. It should be noted, that this is just one massacre, in a history deeply marked by Sinhala-supremacist anti-Tamil pogroms and government-approved massacres stretching back to the 1940s and 1950s. There has been no accountability or justice, and Sri Lanka has criminalised discussions of genocide, and banned memorialisation of those killed. This year, there was increasing legal and military repression of Eelam Tamil voices crying out for acknowledgement of genocide. Eelam Tamils are still subject to mass SA, mass disappearance (one of the highest rates of enforced disappearance on earth), displacement, torture, and even mass sterilisation in the Vanni region of Tamil Eelam. Other countries of Sri Lanka's imperialist family have continued to deny the rights of the thousands of Tamil refugees who have fled, and continue to flee oppression and torture in Eelam. We discuss the historical Eelam Tamil resistance movement against this genocide, what we refer to as "iyakkam". We also discuss the forms resistance takes today, and how recognition of genocide may be important to our hopes of future liberation. You can follow the work of Solidarity for Eelam Tamils on Instagram, and keep an eye out for upcoming events. This episode was made on Wurundjeri land and Boon Wurrung land. These lands were invaded, stolen and remain under occupation. Colonial violence continues as does Indigenous Resistance. The Sunday Paper and podcast remain independent, not for profit and reader and listener supported. Our theme music was made by DOBBY. Matt Chun is our executive producer. The podcast is compiled, mixed and edited by Mell Chun. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesundaypaperpodcast.substack.com/subscribe
