The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka called for the “immediate release” of detainees and expressed concern about the proposed rehabilitation process in a press release issued Friday. The Commission, chaired by Dr. N.D. Udagama, stated that they have written to the Attorney General of Sri Lanka, Mr. Y.J. Wijayatilake, “conveying to him its grave concern about the rights of detainees and remandees under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Emergency Regulations.”
The Commission called “for the immediate release of those held in detention or remand for a long period of time without charges and against whom there is no credible evidence.” They also called upon the Attorney General “to review the cases of those indicted and to withdraw those cases based on confessions made to Police officers, cases where no credible evidence exist and cases which are relatively minor.”
The Commission went on further to specifically state that “individuals indicted under the PTA and Emergency Regulations against whom there is no credible evidence” should be released “on bail immediately,” and expressed concern with the “rehabilitation process to which detainees and remandees will reportedly be subjected.”
Considering the legality of the detention of prisoners, the Commission stated:
The Commission views prolonged administrative detention or remand of persons as a serious violation of the fundamental right guaranteed to them under Articles 12 and 13 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka as well as under Sri Lanka’s human rights obligations under international law.
See the full release here:
The Commission called “for the immediate release of those held in detention or remand for a long period of time without charges and against whom there is no credible evidence.” They also called upon the Attorney General “to review the cases of those indicted and to withdraw those cases based on confessions made to Police officers, cases where no credible evidence exist and cases which are relatively minor.”
The Commission went on further to specifically state that “individuals indicted under the PTA and Emergency Regulations against whom there is no credible evidence” should be released “on bail immediately,” and expressed concern with the “rehabilitation process to which detainees and remandees will reportedly be subjected.”
Considering the legality of the detention of prisoners, the Commission stated:
The Commission views prolonged administrative detention or remand of persons as a serious violation of the fundamental right guaranteed to them under Articles 12 and 13 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka as well as under Sri Lanka’s human rights obligations under international law.
See the full release here: