Human Rights watch commends Counter Terrorism Act but says more Human Rights protection needed

The Human Rights Watch in a letter to  Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed the Counter Terrorism Act (CTA) of 2018 which replaced the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) of 1979 citing that it upheld human rights protection. However, added that it needed more 'human rights protection'

“The Sri Lankan government has finally addressed the torture-tarred Prevention of Terrorism Act, but the proposed law needs stronger human rights protections,” said Letta Tayler,  senior terrorism and counterterrorism researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Parliament should reject attempts to add abusive clauses and pass a bill that advances the rule of law.”

The Cabinet  submitted the draft law to parliament on October 9, 2018. Media reports suggest that there is pressure within parliament to reduce the bill’s rights protections. Measures reportedly under consideration would include restoring the Prevention of Terrorism Act’s use of confessions to police as evidence in court.

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