Press Release: Tamil community in New Zealand mourns death of Trevor Grant
15 March 2017
The Tamil Community in New Zealand was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Trevor Grant on the 5 March, after
being diagnosed with cancer two years ago.
After his retirement as a journalist, Trevor fought tirelessly for the Eelam Tamil people, for their rights as refugees
and, unflinchingly, for their right to self-determination in the northern and eastern territory of Sri Lanka, known as
Tamil Eelam. He also worked for the recognition of genocide perpetrated against the Eelam Tamils.
In 2015 the National Council of New Zealand Tamils, alongside the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, helped organise a
series events in New Zealand with Trevor Grant. His visit included a talk at the New Zealand Parliament, a meeting
organised by the Wellington Tamil Society and a lecture at the University of Auckland Law School: "It's just not
cricket: The ongoing Genocide of Tamils". Trevor also conducted a number of radio interviews with New Zealand media.
Trevor Grant was noted as a tireless campaigner for justice on various issues. He supported the struggles for
self-determination of the people of West Papua, Palestine and the indigenous peoples around the world. He was a
committed trade unionist and even in his illness brought to light the injustices facing mesothelioma victims.
Trevor Grant with Green MPs Jan Logie, Catherine Delahunty and Denise Roche, and President of the
Coverage of Trevor Grant’s 2015 visit to New Zealand
“ Trevor Grant - Cricket and Sri Lanka ,” Sunday Morning with Wallace Chapman, Radio NZ, 8
February 2015.
“Its Just Not Cricket,” Catherine Delahunty, blog.greens.org.nz, 14 February 2015.
“Trevor Grant,” The Wire, 95bFM, 12 February 2015. (dead link)
"Cricket World Cup Invite Sparks Human Rights Challenge," Yahoo sports news. (dead link)
More articles on Trevor Grant
“ Vale Trevor Grant, one of Australia’s finest sportswriters of his time ,” Jon Anderson, Herald
Sun, 6 March 6 2017.
“ Trevor Grant, sports journalist and activist, dies aged 65 ,” Greg Baum, Sydney Morning
Herald, 6 March 2017.
March 2017.
“ Trevor Grant: A tireless fighter for justice bids adieu ,” Journalists for Democracy in Sri
Lanka, 8 March 2017.
“ Trevor Grant, a journalist who was the opposite of fake ”, Martin Flanagan, The Age, 10
March 2017.
“ Trevor Grant, 1951-2017 ”, Aran Mylvaganam, RedFlag, 12 March 2017.