Bobby fights for justice for Tamils at the United Nations

Lib Dem Carshalton and Wallington MP, Bobby Dean, recently visited the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, where he met with international representatives and human rights organisations to discuss the ongoing search for justice for the Tamil community.

Tamils represent the largest minority group in the constituency, and local Tamils first made him aware of the history of persecution while he was a Parliamentary candidate.

Over 100,000 Tamils lost their lives during the brutal conflict in Sri Lanka, a war deeply rooted in ethnic tensions and a legacy of British colonialism. The violence reached its peak in 2009 when a massacre claimed tens of thousands of lives and left many more remain unaccounted for.

Throughout the decades of conflict, an estimated two million Tamils were forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in neighbouring India and across the globe, including in Carshalton and Wallington - where Tamil is now the second most commonly spoken language.

Despite this, many Tamil refugees continue to face significant challenges. Thousands remain stateless, and many more have unanswered questions about missing family.

In Sri Lanka, progress towards reconciliation has been slow, with the Tamil community continuing to be marginalised. The true extent of the atrocities committed during the conflict remains difficult to determine, but the need for justice is clear.

During his meetings at the United Nations, Bobby Dean MP engaged with representatives from the European Union, the USA, Canada, Sierra Leone, and Cambodia, alongside human rights groups and charitable organisations.

He advocated for a UN resolution that would extend the timeframe for gathering evidence of war crimes in Sri Lanka. He emphasised that extending this crucial period would help ensure that justice for the Tamil people remains a priority on the global stage.

Speaking about the visit, Bobby Dean MP said:

"I first became aware of the challenges facing the Tamil community from a constituent, and the more I’ve learnt about the cause, the more determined I became to help fight for justice for the Tamil people – to ensure that their voices are heard, and rights protected.

“It was an absolute honour to join the British Tamils Forum in their delegation to the UN and help them make the case for justice. It was a productive visit and I hope to continue the work back here in the UK.”