University Teachers for Human Rights

# University Teachers for Human Rights (UTHR(J))

Who / What

The **University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna)**, or **UTHR(J)**, is a regional branch of the national organization **University Teachers for Human Rights**, established in Sri Lanka’s northern province of Jaffna. It was formed by university educators to advocate for human rights within academic and political contexts.

Background & History

UTHR(J) was founded in **1988 at the University of Jaffna** as part of the broader national movement, UTHR. Its activities were rooted in the context of Sri Lanka’s civil conflict, particularly tensions between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The group gained prominence for its public advocacy during this period.

After the assassination of key founding member **Rajini Thiranagama** on **September 21, 1989**, UTHR(J)’s visibility declined. The LTTE was blamed for the incident, leading to a suspension of public activities. In **1990**, members who openly identified with UTHR(J), including its then-head **Professor Rajan Hoole**, were forced to flee Jaffna due to escalating conflict.

Why Notable

UTHR(J) played a significant role in documenting human rights abuses during Sri Lanka’s civil war, particularly in the northern region. Its work highlighted academic perspectives on political violence and displacement, contributing to broader discussions on accountability and justice. The group’s existence underscored the intersection of education and activism in conflict zones.

In the News

Though inactive since the early 1990s due to security threats, UTHR(J) remains a symbol of academic resistance against authoritarianism and human rights violations. Its legacy persists as a cautionary tale about the risks faced by activists in conflict-affected regions, particularly in Sri Lanka’s post-war context where tensions between ethnic groups and state power continue.

Key Facts

**Type:** Organization (human rights advocacy group)

**Also known as:** *University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna)*

**Founded / Born:** 1988 at the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka

**Key dates:**

**September 21, 1989** – Assassination of Rajini Thiranagama; public activities suspended.

**1990** – Forced displacement of openly affiliated members (e.g., Professor Rajan Hoole).

**Geography:** Sri Lanka (Jaffna District)

**Affiliation:** National organization *University Teachers for Human Rights* (UTHR)

Links

[Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_Teachers_for_Human_Rights)

Sources

• 🔗 Wikipedia

The University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna) or UTHR(J) was formed in 1988 at the University of Jaffna, Jaffna, in Sri Lanka, as part of the national organization University Teachers for Human Rights. Its public activities as a constituent part of university life came to a standstill after the assassination on September 21, 1989 of Rajini Thiranagama, a key founding member, for which the group blamed the LTTE. In 1990, the others who identified openly with the UTHR(J), such as its current head, Professor Rajan Hoole, were forced to leave Jaffna. Rajan Hoole lived in hiding in Colombo and permanently resettled in Jaffna only after the war ended.