The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) calls on the Sri Lankan government to immediately end the repression of students, teachers, and trade unionists.

ETFO sends its solidarity and adds its voice, on behalf of teachers and education workers in public elementary schools across Ontario, to call for the government of Sri Lanka to end its repression of students, teachers, and trade unionists in the country.

On behalf of our 83,000 members, ETFO also condemns the targeting and detention of education and democracy activists, educators, students and labour activists in Sri Lanka and demands an immediate end to the government’s campaign of repression.

As the largest English teachers’ union representing educators, our union knows first-hand and understands the importance of defending public education, human rights and social justice.

As educators, our aim is to teach and create a better, more equitable world. We believe in the need to defend the rights of students, education workers, trade unionists, and all people in Sri Lanka to engage in the legitimate mass protests that are sweeping the country in response to the worsening economic crisis and urgently needed reforms.

We also call on student and labour organizations outside of Sri Lanka to express their solidarity to defend the rights and civil liberties of the protesters and demand an end to the crackdown on dissent.

In solidarity,

Karen Brown, President

Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario Toronto, Ontario, Canada

www.etfo.ca I @ETFOeducators