Genocide is defined in international law as "acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group." The Sri Lankan government launched an intensive military offensive last September against Tamil regions in the north. The government ordered all international aid organizations out of the region and has severely restricted journalists' access to the area. The Sri Lankan government has a dangerous tradition of media suppression and attacks on journalists, which flourish under the government's climate of impunity. The government is also responsible for one of the highest rates of "disappearances" in the world.

Over 300,000 Tamil civilians have been trapped as the government continues its brutal military campaign, which includes indiscriminate aerial bombardment and artillery shelling. In January, the government designated a 32 sq km area as a "safe zone" and disseminated pamphlets over the region to tell civilians to seek solace in this area. The government subsequently bombed this region, killing hundreds of civilians and injuring more – even a United Nations aid worker was wounded in an attack.

PEARL urges the United States government and the international community to pressure the Sri Lankan government to stop all attacks on civilians and to agree to an immediate ceasefire. PEARL also requests President Obama to appoint a special envoy to initiate peace talks towards a lasting political resolution.

Read More:

Genocide in Safe Zones
Quotes on Genocide in Sri Lanka

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