Activists’ arrest raked up in United Nations

The issue was raised in the prescribed time provided to the civil society to present their views on human right issues following the opening statement by Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. 

The speakers condemned that the detention of Thirumurugan, Tyson, Ilamaran and Arun Kumar under the draconian Goondas Act in Chennai on May 29 last. The development comes after they participated in a peaceful candlelight vigil to remember the victims of Tamil genocide in Sri Lankan Army in Mullivaikal in 2009, at Marina Beach on May 21.

“This is historic that there are three references to such an arrest of four human rights defenders in Tamil Nadu. The fight will continue against the misuse of Goondas Act. People’s Watch will not relent,” said Henri Tiphagne, National working secretary, Human Rights Defenders Alert (HRDA) and Executive Director of People’s Watch. 

The detention had earlier attracted the wrath of the film directors who publicly criticised the state for siding with the Centre by invoking Goondas on the activists. Several other pro-Tamil outfits had condemned the detention.