HRW Warns Against Continued Use Of PTA; Recommends Sri Lanka impose a full moratorium

COLOMBO (News 1st); Human Rights Watch said that Sri Lankan authorities continue to use the notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to target perceived opponents and minority communities without credible evidence to support the allegations despite repeated pledges to end the practice. 

It added that while some victims have suffered years of arbitrary detention and torture, others are persecuted even after the case against them is dropped. 

Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch said that Sri Lanka’s extensive domestic security apparatus routinely uses baseless accusations of terrorism to target innocent people, silencing critics and stigmatizing minority communities

HRW recommends that the government should impose a full moratorium on the PTA and work to repeal it, and the authorities should draft rights respecting counterterrorism legislation in consultation with experts and civil society.

It also noted that foreign partners including the United States, EU, and UK should insist that Sri Lanka abides by commitments to repeal the law.

Human Rights Watch also recommended that the UN Human Rights Council should renew the mandates of resolution 46/1 for reporting and investigating human rights violations in Sri Lanka.

Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch said said that foreign governments seeking to support improved governance and respect for human rights should prioritize action to end the Sri Lankan government’s misuse of counterterrorism powers.