HRC submits recommendations to President after North visit

Long-term detainees are a matter of concern to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) and the government should take meaningful steps to address this issue to build the trust and confidence of the people in the North.

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) said this in their recommendations made to President Ranil Wickremesinghe upon the completion of a visit to the North. 

“It was observed that some prisoners have been in remand prison for 14 years awaiting the conclusion of the trial. It is recommended that steps be taken by the advisory board constituted under the PTA on this matter, as detaining a person for 14 years pending trial is a gross violation of his fundamental rights under the Constitution and a violation of his rights under the International Covenant Civil Political Rights,” the Commission said. 

The Commission recommended that the Parole Board take cognizance of the nature of the offence committed and the behaviour of the convicted prisoners and advise the authority to refer for a pardon, or for a nolle prosequi for those awaiting the conclusion of the trial whenever it deems appropriate. 

The Commission recommended these matters to the Ministry in charge of the prisoners for an appropriate solution without delay.

The HRC said it has observed that the livelihood of Northern farmers concerning cultivation and livestock rearing is disrupted, as their lands are primarily in the possession of the military, Wildlife and Forest Department, and Archeological Department.

“Although the land issues in the North are of great concern to the Commission, at this juncture the Commission made no efforts to discuss or make recommendations about land issues, as Your Excellency has already undertaken to resolve them,” the Commission wrote to the President. 

The government was also advised to instruct the police and army to employ alternative methods of checking at checkpoints with immediate effect until the consistent security policy is applicable to all provinces.

“It was observed that an identification pass system for fishermen in Mannar to fish is a violation of a fundamental right. It is discriminatory as such a system is not in operation in any other part of the country and all fishermen are equal before the law,” the Commission said.