Why This Petition Matters

Oxford Union மற்றும் Cambridge Union உலகளவில் உயர்ந்த மரியாதையும் செல்வாக்கும் பெற்ற கல்வி மற்றும் விவாத நிறுவனங்களாகும். இந்நிறுவனங்களின் மேடைகள் வெறும் உரையாடல் தளங்களல்ல; அவை சர்வதேச அளவில் குறியீட்டு முக்கியத்துவமும் கௌரவமும் வாய்ந்தவை.

இலங்கையின் உள்நாட்டு போரின் இறுதிக்கட்டத்தில் இடம்பெற்ற இனப்படுகொலை, போர்க்குற்றங்கள் மற்றும் மனிதத்தன்மைக்கு எதிரான குற்றச்சாட்டுகளுக்கு எதிராக இலங்கை அரசையும் இராணுவத்தையும் தொடர்ந்து பாதுகாத்து வந்த அரசியல் நபரான Namal Rajapaksa அவர்களை அழைக்கும் தீர்மானத்தை இரு யூனியன்களும் அவசரமாக மறுபரிசீலனை செய்ய வேண்டும் என்று நாம் வலியுறுத்துகிறோம். 

The Oxford Union and the Cambridge Union are globally respected institutions. Their platforms carry immense symbolic weight and prestige.

We are calling on both Unions to reconsider their decision to host Namal Rajapaksa — a political figure whose career is closely associated with the defence of alleged war crimes, the denial of documented atrocities, and governance widely criticised for corruption and economic mismanagement.

Background

During the final stages of Sri Lanka’s civil war in 2009, United Nations investigations documented the deaths of tens of thousands of Tamil civilians, including reported shelling of hospitals and designated “No Fire Zones.”

Namal Rajapaksa has repeatedly dismissed allegations of war crimes and genocide as foreign conspiracies, and has publicly defended the Sri Lankan military and state officials accused of grave violations.

He served as a senior minister in the Rajapaksa administration, a government that has been accused by the UN Human Rights Office of “widespread and systematic” violations, including enforced disappearances and conflict-related sexual violence.

The Rajapaksa political dynasty has also faced serious allegations of corruption and financial misconduct. Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic collapse followed years of governance widely criticised for nepotism, fiscal irresponsibility, and entrenched corruption.

For survivors of the conflict and members of the Tamil diaspora — including many in the United Kingdom — providing such a platform causes real and lasting harm.

Why Hosting Him Is Harmful

When prestigious academic institutions host controversial political figures without meaningful accountability:

1. It risks normalising denial of documented atrocities.
2. It can contribute to reputational rehabilitation without justice.
3. It sidelines survivors whose calls for accountability remain unanswered.
4. It sends a message that institutional prestige outweighs human rights concerns.
   
   Debate is valuable — but it must not come at the expense of ethical responsibility.

Our Demands

We call on the Oxford Union and the Cambridge Union to:

1. Rescind the invitation to Namal Rajapaksa; or
2. If the event proceeds:

• Include recognised experts in international criminal law and human rights.
• Provide equal opportunity for Tamil survivors and representatives to present evidence.
• Ensure sustained and rigorous questioning on accountability for alleged war crimes and corruption.

Stand With Survivors

The invitations extended by the Oxford and Cambridge Unions carry global symbolic power. Hosting a political figure associated with the defence of those accused of genocide and mass atrocities risks legitimising impunity.

We urge both institutions to uphold their integrity and stand on the side of justice.

Sign this petition to rescind the invitation of Namal Rajapaksa, to demand justice for the genocide, and to stand in solidarity with the Tamil people.