People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL)

Content Warning: This video uses artistic renditions, based on credible UN, civil society, and media sources, to show scenes of violence, death, blood, and (censored) sexual mutilation. What was the Mullivaikkal Genocide? Watch this video to learn how Sri Lanka committed genocide against the Tamil people in 2009. No one has been investigated, let alone prosecuted. Genocide recognition can help close this accountability gap, fueling the growing international movement to acknowledge Sri Lanka’s atrocities as genocide. The legislative and executive branches of cities, states, and countries can and should hold Sri Lanka responsible by publicly recognizing the genocide and Sri Lanka’s responsibility. Credits: Artwork by Ruwani Video editing by Abeisek Raveendran #SriLanka #TamilGenocide #Mullivaikkal #JusticeForGenocide #May18 #RememberMay2009

PEARL officially says goodbye to our Strategic Advisor and former Advocacy Director, Mario Arulthas, who has decided to move on from PEARL after his recent sabbatical. We are hugely grateful to Mario for his dedication and work with PEARL over the past 8 years, much of which has built the foundation upon which PEARL currently stands. It has been an honor to have had Mario be part of the PEARL team, as a leader, a colleague, and as a friend. Mario continues to inspire many people with his passion and dedication towards the Tamil struggle. While we are sad to see him leave, we know that many exciting opportunities lie ahead and we wish him the best of luck in his endeavors.

Read PEARL’s 2023 Annual Report: https://lnkd.in/gZcyHMFE In 2023, PEARL was proud to lead Congressional resolutions and letters on Sri Lanka; support the Canadian sanctions on Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa; participate in advocacy at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva; and continue building relationships with human rights activists in the diaspora and the homeland. We also marked the 75th Sri Lankan Independence Day, the 14th anniversary of the Mullivaikkal Genocide, and the 40th anniversary of Black July Genocide by continuing to demand justice and accountability for Tamil victim-survivors who have rejected the Sinhala-Buddhist unitary state. In 2024, PEARL looks forward to launching a genocide recognition campaign and making an Article 15 submission to the International Criminal Court. We will also continue to work on research and advocacy, including publishing updates to our research reports on ongoing Sinhalization in the North-East of Sri Lanka.. We are looking forward to further success in 2024 and are very grateful for the support of all our donors and well-wishers. To continue supporting our work, you can become a monthly donor: https://lnkd.in/gf6hCTkk or make a one-time donation to PEARL: https://lnkd.in/gan5VZnz Thank you for helping us continue our crucial work.

PEARL was pleased to catch up with some of the US policymakers pushing for justice, accountability, and self-determination for Eelam Tamils, alongside MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, who shared his important advocacy on human rights in the North-East of Sri Lanka. During these meetings, we continued discussions on issues disproportionately affecting Eelam Tamils, including draconian legislation such as the online safety bill and anti-terrorism bill, and a long-term political solution that addresses Tamil grievances. #SriLanka #JusticeForTamils

#STATEMENT: Tamils continue to reject the Sri Lankan unitary state on Independence Day PEARL condemns the violence against Tamils during their protest march yesterday, as the Tamil nation marked Sri Lankan Independence Day as a ‘Black Day’, rejecting the unitary state and protesting the ongoing failures of the Sri Lankan state. Despite the decision by the Jaffna Magistrate that the public has a right to protest, Tamils were blocked by Sri Lankan police from continuing their protests, with some arrests made, showing the continued disregard for the rule of law. With Sri Lanka’s lavish Independence Day celebrations taking place amid an economic crisis, the Black Day protests are a staunch reminder of the GoSL’s continued lack of political will to meet the demands of the Tamil people for self-determination, justice, accountability, and a halt to ongoing rights abuses. Read full statement: https://lnkd.in/gbq9FPkz

PEARL needs your help to continue our vital advocacy to amplify the voices of Eelam Tamils from the North-East of Sri Lanka. Become a monthly donor to ensure the continuity of this crucial research and advocacy to achieve justice and accountability for Tamil victim-survivors of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Additionally, you'll receive limited-edition merchandise by signing up to become a recurring donor between now and January 31, 2024 (min. US $10).* To learn more about our work, our plans, and what you can get with your monthly commitment, visit: https://lnkd.in/g4uhthwh *Gifts for new monthly donors will be shipped following three months of donation. PEARL will cover all shipping costs.

On behalf of the PEARL team, we wish you Pongal Nalvaazhthukkal, Happy Pongal! Pongal is a secular festival that marks the beginning of the month Thai and is an important celebration of thanksgiving for Tamils worldwide. For Tamils from the North-East of Sri Lanka, unable to peacefully live in their homeland, dispersed by war and genocide, and with a history dominated by violence, Pongal is an important and joyous celebration of Tamil culture, heritage, and history. While PEARL marks this celebration, our thoughts are with the Tamils still suffering from the weight of injustice in Sri Lanka, especially the Families of the Disappeared, families of political prisoners, families who have lost their loved ones in Sri Lanka's genocide, and all other Tamil human rights defenders who risk their lives in the ongoing fight for justice. To help support PEARL's crucial work to amplify their demands for justice and accountability with international stakeholders, sign up to become a monthly donor today and see what exclusive merch you can receive with your monthly commitment: https://lnkd.in/g4uhthwh

Receive exclusive PEARL merchandise by signing up to become a monthly donor* by January 31st! As a small non-profit, we rely on the support of our donors to ensure the continuity of our research and international advocacy work to advance justice and accountability for Eelam Tamils. Monthly donations provide us with a sustainable source of revenue to execute long-term projects, including publishing an update to our existing research on the Sinhalization of the North-East, pursuing accountability and justice at the International Criminal Court, and continuing to build key relationships with policymakers to push Tamil demands. Swipe to learn more about what you can get with your monthly commitment! This limited-edition merchandise offer is only available for donors until January 31, 2024. Click to become a monthly donor pearlaction.org/support-us! *Gifts for new monthly donors will be shipped following three months of donation. All shipping costs will be covered by PEARL.

PEARL wishes you a happy holiday season! This year, we're requesting our supporters to become monthly donors to ensure the continuity of PEARL's work on justice and accountability for Tamil victim-survivors of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. A sustainable source of revenue enables us to execute long-term projects, including publishing an update to our existing research on the Sinhalization of the North-East, pursuing accountability and justice at the International Criminal Court, and continuing to build key relationships with policymakers to push Tamil demands. ** Sign up to become a recurring donor between now and January 31, 2024 (min. US $10) and receive limited-edition PEARL merchandise as a holiday gift from us! More details coming out soon! ** This holiday season, become a monthly donors and give PEARL the gift that keeps giving: https://lnkd.in/gf6hCTkk

PEARL appreciates the leadership of Senator Cardin and Senator Risch of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Congressman Krishnamoorthi and Congressman Johnson on this bipartisan resolution. As the resolution recognizes, more must be done to ensure accountability for human rights abuses and to address the root causes of the conflict and current political and economic crises in Sri Lanka. Bilateral engagement between the United States and Sri Lanka must embrace solutions that meaningfully address the Tamil people's longstanding demands for justice, demilitarization, land returns, and a durable political solution to ensure stability and sustainable peace. We appreciate the continued efforts on addressing Tamil issues by Congress, including Congressman Davis' advocacy earlier today for Eelam Tamil self-determination: https://lnkd.in/gvRRhpaV It is clear that justice, accountability and a permanent political solution is the only way forward for the Eelam Tamil people in the North-East of Sri Lanka. Resolution Text: https://lnkd.in/gYeg8zDX Press Release: https://lnkd.in/gSgyVThF