The British High Commission in Colombo has released a statement welcoming the recent release of detainees held under Sri Lanka’s draconian Prevention of Terrorism and committing to raise concerns over those who remain under detention.
We welcome the release on bail of Hejaaz, Ahnaf, and other detainees held under the PTA in recent months. The UK will continue to raise concerns of those held under the PTA - including those held in pre-trial detention for lengthy periods - and uphold their right to a fair trial.
— UK in Sri Lanka (@UKinSriLanka) February 9, 2022
The statement comes as Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry has released a statement congratulating the government on what it describes as a “progressive step” in reforming despite widespread criticism from human rights organisations and civil society organisations that these reforms fail to address the root issues.
Sri Lanka’s Centre for Policy Alternatives has slammed the reforms as “grossly inadequate” noting that it does not address issues with the admissibility of statements and confessions under the PTA and retains a period of 72 hours after the arrest and before production before a magistrate.
In her critique of the reforms, Ambika Satkunathan, Sri Lanka’s former Human Rights Commissioner, chided the reforms as a farce.
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The government has lashed out against the former Human Rights Commissioner claiming that her submission to the EU parliament was “reminiscent of LTTE propaganda”. This caused uproar across civil society organisations with multiple European diplomats and organisations stressing that “civil society’s critical engagement on PTA reforms and human rights issues should be welcomed rather than met with hostility”.
.@EU_in_Sri_Lanka Welcomes the recent releases on bail of those detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Civil society’s Critical engagement on PTA reforms and human rights issues should be welcomed rather than met with hostility.
— EU in Sri Lanka (@EU_in_Sri_Lanka) February 7, 2022
Welcome recent releases on bail of those detained under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Critical engagement on PTA reforms & other human rights issues from civil society should be welcomed and not met with hostility.
— Tanja Gonggrijp (@tanjagonggrijp) February 7, 2022
Being free to express your views & opinions = civic space!
Welcome the recent releases on bail of those detained under PTA. Critical engagement on PTA reforms and other human rights issues from civil society should be welcomed and not met with hostility. Leave critics in peace, please!
— Ambassador Holger Seubert (@GermanAmbColo) February 7, 2022