A Landmark Resolution from the Scottish Parliament: Recognizing the Tamil Genocide and Supporting Self-Determination (S6M-19300) 

The Historical Context

The motion lodged in the Scottish Parliament (S6M-19300) stands as a critical step toward achieving justice and accountability on the world stage for the atrocities and acts of genocide committed against the Tamil people in Sri Lanka. This resolution officially acknowledges the severe human rights violations and accusations of genocide that occurred, particularly during the final stages of the civil war in Sri Lanka (May 2009), and explicitly calls for support for the Tamil people’s right to self-determination.

Key Components of the Motion: The Recognition of Genocide

The motion was submitted by Bill Kidd, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Anniesland, representing the Scottish National Party (SNP), and was lodged on October 9, 2025. The resolution underscores the following crucial points:

● Acknowledgement of Mass Atrocities and Death Toll: The Parliament formally recognizes the reported mass atrocities, acknowledging that an estimated 70,000 to 146,000Tamil civilians were killed during the final phase of the armed conflict in May 2009, as documented by the UN and international human rights organizations. This confirms its acceptance of the gravity of the atrocities committed against the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

● Endorsement of UN Reports: The Parliament acknowledges the findings of several authoritative reports, including the 2011 UN Panel of Experts’ Report on Accountability in Sri Lanka, the 2015 Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL), and successive UN Human Rights Council resolutions that highlight credible allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and systemic persecution against Tamils.

● Call for International Investigation: The motion notes the continuing calls from the Tamil diaspora and civil society for an international investigation into the genocide.

This official recognition suggests that the events in Sri Lanka were not merely the unfortunate conclusion of a conflict but a widespread and systematic attack, lending further credence to the genocide charge in the international arena.

Support for Self-determination: The Demand for a UN Referendum

The most significant aspect of this resolution is its endorsement of the Tamil people’s right to self-determination.

● Pressure on the UK Government: The motion calls on the UK Government to advocate at the UN for a UN-monitored referendum on Tamil self-determination in the north-east of Sri Lanka. This call aligns with international legal standards and past UN resolutions that recognize peoples’ rights to self-determination in post-conflict contexts.

● Recognition of the Right to Determine Political Future: It embraces the calls for the recognition of the Tamil people’s right to determine their political future.

This specific demand places direct pressure on the central UK Government to initiate an internationally recognized, democratic referendum that could pave the way for the aspirations of the Eelam Tamils—the creation of a separate state, Tamil Eelam—to be realized. Given Scotland’s own history with self-determination efforts, this motion carries significant political and moral weight.

 Supporters and Political Significance

The resolution garnered support from a diverse group of Scottish Parliament members:

● Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Stephanie Callaghan, Bob Doris, Gordon MacDonald, Fulton MacGregor, Stuart McMillan, Carol Mochan, Kevin Stewart, and Mercedes Villalba.

Political Impact:

❶ Setting a Precedent: The Scottish Parliament is among the first national legislative bodies of this level to officially recognize the Tamil Genocide. This is more impactful than resolutions passed by provincial or state governments in countries like Canada or the US, as it emanates from a devolved national parliament.

❷ External Pressure on the UK: The motion is directed specifically at the central UK Government, urging it to champion the Tamil cause for self-determination at the UN. This action may open pathways to elevate the demand for Tamil justice onto diplomatic tables.

❸ Moral and Political Victory: It is regarded as a major moral and political victory for the diplomatic efforts of the Tamil diaspora community, expected to further invigorate global Tamil political activism.

Future Steps and Challenges

The motion is classified as a Standard Motion. This means it serves as an official statement of opinion by the Parliament.

● Debate and Adoption: With sufficient support (as indicated by the list of signatories), the motion may be scheduled for a debate or may be adopted as the Parliament’s formal position without a floor debate.

● Legal Standing: While the Scottish Parliament’s resolutions do not legally bind the UK Government’s foreign policy, it exerts considerable political and moral pressure on the UK to align its position at the UN with the expressed concerns of one of its devolved nations.

The resolution provides a crucial impetus for securing justice for the Eelam Tamils and advancing the prospect of their political aspirations being democratically determined under the supervision of the United Nations.

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The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Amizhthu’s editorial stance.

ஸ்கொட்லாந்து நாடாளுமன்றத்தின் வரலாற்றுத் தீர்மானம்: தமிழ் இனப்படுகொலையை அங்கீகரித்தல் மற்றும் சுயநிர்ணய உரிமைக்கான ஆதரவு (S6M-19300)