The Tamil Information Centre (TIC) commemorated World Human Rights Day 2025 with an event held in Ilford, London, on Saturday (13), in line with the global observance. As an established annual initiative, the event served as an institutional platform to acknowledge the United Nations–designated World Human Rights Day and to draw scholarly and public attention to the persistent human rights violations experienced by the Tamil population in Sri Lanka, as well as by other ethnic and marginalised groups worldwide. The commemoration aimed to contribute to broader human rights discourse by amplifying affected voices and encouraging sustained international scrutiny of ongoing violations of fundamental human rights.
In commemoration of the 77th anniversary of Human Rights Day, the Tamil Information Centre (TIC) organised a programme at the Punjabi Centre Iford, London, held from 14:30 to 18:30. Conducted under the theme “Human Rights: our everyday essentials,” the event formally commenced with an opening protocol such as lighting of an auspicious lamp, Tamil mother song and welcome speech marking the beginning of the Human Rights Day proceedings.
The programme commenced with a welcome address delivered by Mr V. J. Bose, Chairman and Director of the Tamil Information Centre (TIC). This was followed by the screening of a documentary presentation entitled “TIC at a Glance and Introducing the Tamil Heritage Centre,” which provided an overview of the organisation’s historical development, institutional mission, and the proposal to establish a Tamil Heritage Centre. The proceedings continued with an address by the Guest of Honour, Councillor Joe Hehir, Worshipful the deputy Redbridge Borough, who spoke on human rights issues, including references to the Tamil genocide. The event was attended by a diverse audience comprising political representatives, human rights advocates, academics, journalists, and members of TIC.
A central component of the programme was the conferment of the Tamil Information Centre (TIC) Human Rights Award 2025 upon Ms Shanthy Sivakumaran, a barrister specialising in public law, human rights law, and international law, and Mr Paul Heron, Senior Lawyer and Founder of the Public Interest Law Centre (PILC).
The programme also included the presentation of the Varathakumar Memorial Award to “Maamanithar” Taraki Sivaram, in recognition of his contributions to journalism, including his role as a prominent columnist for the Daily Mirror and as a senior editorial board member of TamilNet. Unfortunately, he died in March 2021.
Mr Jaya Kopinath was invited to deliver a speech and to receive the Varathakumar Memorial Award.
The programme also incorporated cultural components, including an African traditional dance performance presented by African community participants, followed by “Unreachable Light,” a theatrical production by the Meiveli Theatre Artists addressing human rights violations in Sri Lanka. The performance employed dramatic representation to convey the lived experiences associated with these violations. The proceedings concluded with formal acknowledgements of volunteer contributions and the conduct of a lucky draw. Finally vote of thanks was presented by Mrs Rajani Iqbal, one of the directors of Tic
The event was presided over by Mr Geeth , a Director of the Tamil Information Centre (TIC), and was facilitated by activists Mathusangar Kengeswaran and Subamagisha Varatharasa. The programme also featured “Parai: Voice of Freedom,” a Tamil traditional drumming performance presented by artist Vakeesan and his ensemble. Collectively, these elements reflected TIC’s ongoing institutional engagement with the promotion and protection of human rights
