The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) and the global human rights community are plunged into deep sorrow by the passing of Mr. T. Kumar, a legendary human rights defender, former Advocacy Director for Amnesty International USA, and a prominent figure in the TGTE since its inception.
T. Kumar was not merely an advisor; he was a strategic visionary who transformed his own persecution into a lifelong crusade for justice. From a prison cell in Sri Lanka to the halls of the U.S. Congress, his life was a testament to the belief that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
A Pillar of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE)
Since the TGTE’s formation in 2010, T. Kumar served as an invaluable—albeit often informal—advisor. He acted as the organization’s strategic compass, particularly on matters of accountability for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes committed against the Tamil people.Key Contributions to the Tamil Cause
Architect of Justice (MAP): Kumar was the brainchild behind the Monitoring and Accountability Panel (MAP) formed in 2015 following UNHRC Resolution 30/1. He worked tirelessly to assemble a panel of international legal experts, giving the TGTE the professional gravity of a government-in-waiting.
The Million Signature Campaign: In 2015, he played a central role in the campaign calling for Sri Lanka’s referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC). His strategies helped secure 1.6 million signatures in just three months.
Reframing the Referendum: Kumar was deeply involved in the TGTE’s Referendum campaign. His key strategic insight was to frame the demand not merely as a political claim, but as a fundamental human rights issue.
Chemmani Mass Graves: Most recently, he championed the campaign demanding that the excavation of the Chemmani Mass Graves be conducted directly under the authority of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Mentorship:
He mentored newly elected TGTE members and provided guidance on both administrative and substantive matters.
From “Prisoner of Conscience” to Global Advocate
Kumar’s activism began in the late 1960s. As a young man, he led rehabilitation efforts for cyclone victims in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province—work immortalized in Lanka Ranee by Arular. Rejecting electoral politics, he led the Tamil Student Association and became one of the founders of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO).
He was among 42 individuals featured on a Sri Lankan government “Wanted” poster—viewed by the Tamil Nation not as criminals, but as freedom fighters. He also had the solemn honour of unveiling the statue of Thigai Sivakumaran, the first Tamil to sacrifice his life by ingesting cyanide.
Kumar was imprisoned for nearly five years without charge. Recognized by Amnesty International as a Prisoner of Conscience, he turned imprisonment into intellectual resistance—studying law using stars and a distant clock tower to track time, eventually passing his examinations while incarcerated.
A Voice in Washington and the World
After seeking asylum in the United States, Kumar rose to become Advocacy Director for Amnesty International USA, a role he held for 22 years.
Policy Influence: He testified frequently before the U.S. Congress and engaged extensively with the U.S. State Department.
Educator: He lectured at the Foreign Service Institute and served as a professor at the Washington College of Law’s Humanitarian and Human Rights Academy.
Global Reach: He monitored elections worldwide alongside former President Jimmy Carter and served as a consultant to the United Nations and the Quaker Mission.
In the early 2000s, Tamil leaders seeking U.S. policy engagement were often told simply: “Talk to Kumar.” He remained a bridge between the Tamil struggle and the international community until his final days.
A Lasting Legacy
T. Kumar leaves behind a legacy of unwavering courage, strategic brilliance, and moral clarity. He advised not only the TGTE, but Tamil political parties and civil society across the homeland and diaspora.
His 2022 initiative to organize a common petition for ICC referral was cited by then-UN High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet, underscoring his continued global impact.
Above all, Kumar was not only a strategist and tactician, but a gentle, compassionate human being.
The TGTE extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the millions whose lives he touched. The Tamil Nation has lost a hero—but his life’s work ensures that the demand for justice will never be silenced.