Hon. Jason Kenney issues statement on 30th anniversary of the Black July pogrom
Ottawa, July 23, 2013 – The Honourable Jason Kenney issued the following statement commemorating the anti-Tamil pogrom commonly known as Black July:
“Thirty years ago today in Sri Lanka, violent mobs of armed extremists began carrying out attacks against the country’s Tamil population. Hundreds of Tamils were killed and thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed in the ensuing riots.
“In the years since the Black July pogrom, July 23 has become a day of mourning and remembrance for members of Sri Lankan Tamil communities around the world, including the 200,000-strong Tamil community in Canada.
“As we reflect on the violence that began on this day in 1983 across Sri Lanka, I take the opportunity to reaffirm Canada’s commitment to promote and uphold our fundamental values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
“I stand with the Tamil-Canadian community in commemorating the senseless destruction and tragic loss of life during Black July.”
Hon. Jason Kenney, PC, MP
Calgary Southeast
Tags: News
