Tamils Lost A Great Advocate Prof. Francis Anthony Boyle

February 9, 2025 — Prof. Francis Anthony Boyle, an eminent scholar, lawyer, and human rights advocate, who left an indelible mark on the field of international law with his extensive work, particularly about the recognition of the Tamil Genocide in Sri Lanka. He passed away on January 30, 2025. His academic contributions included a paper presented at the Second International Conference on Tamil Nationhood and Genocide in Ottawa, Canada, on May 5-6, 2018, titled “Stopping GOSL Genocide Against the Tamils.” In this work, Boyle argued that the Sinhala-Buddhist Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) had committed genocide against the Eelam Tamils, in violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0H85JaojUA 

Tamils Lost A Great Advocate for Tamil Genocide Prof. Francis Boyle

Born on March 25, 1950, Francis Boyle was a distinguished professor of International Law at the University of Illinois College of Law. Over his illustrious career, he was recognized for his fearless advocacy and scholarly contributions to human rights, which spanned various critical global issues.

One of his most significant legacies was his relentless pursuit for the recognition of the Tamil Genocide by Sri Lanka. Boyle was deeply engaged in Sri Lanka’s genocide against Tamils from its later stages, particularly focusing on the period from 2006 to 2009. His book, “The Tamil Genocide by Sri Lanka: The Global Failure to Protect Tamil Rights Under International Law,” meticulously documented the events and legal implications of what he argued was a genocide against the Tamil population. He was among the first to develop an authoritative case for genocide against the Government of Sri Lanka, drawing parallels with his previous work on the Bosnian genocide.

Rest in peace, Professor Francis Boyle. Your legacy will continue to inspire and guide those fighting for justice and human rights around the globe.

Ottawa Tamil Association 

info@ottawatamilassociation.ca | www.ottawatamilassociation.ca https://tamilconferences.org/conferences/second-conference/

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