The National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT) expresses its profound sadness at the passing of Dr. Denis Halliday, former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, distinguished humanitarian, and steadfast advocate for human rights, international justice, and the dignity of oppressed peoples.
For the Eelam Tamil people, Dr. Denis Halliday held particular significance through his involvement in the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal on Sri Lanka. He served as a member of the tribunal’s panels examining allegations of genocide against the Eelam Tamil people, participating in proceedings held in Dublin, Bremen, and Berlin. For those seeking justice for the Tamil people, his contribution represents an important commitment to ensuring that the experiences and suffering of the Eelam Tamil people receive serious consideration in international forums. His willingness to participate in these proceedings and speak publicly about their findings helped sustain international attention on the need for truth, accountability, and justice.
Following the tribunal proceedings, Dr. Denis Halliday was invited by the NCCTto Canada to present the tribunal’s findings through high-level meetings and discussions with Members of Parliament on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. These engagements provided an important opportunity to bring the tribunal’s findings and the Tamil people’s pursuit of truth, justice, and accountability directly to Canadian parliamentarians.
During the same visit in 2014, Dr. Denis Halliday also served as the special keynote speaker at a dinner hosted by NCCT. His participation underscored his commitment to raising international awareness for the genocide committed against them.
Since Dr. Denis Halliday’s visit to Canada, NCCT has continued its significant and successful advocacy efforts to advance recognition of the Tamil Genocide at all levels of government in Canada. This work has helped strengthen awareness of the Tamil people’s pursuit of truth, justice, and accountability among Canadian political leaders and institutions.
His legacy will be remembered not only for his distinguished service to the United Nations but also for his continued engagement with the international pursuit of justice for the Eelam Tamil people.
His passing is a profound loss to the international human rights community and to all those who continue to seek justice for the Eelam Tamil people.
NCCT extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives were touched by his work and principles. We honour his legacy and hope that his courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to justice will continue to inspire future generations.
Thank you,
National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT)