Revise definition on terrorism in ATB, HRCSL asks Minister

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka which presented its general observations and recommendations on the Anti-Terrorism Bill asked Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms to revise the definition of the ‘offence of terrorism’ by narrowing its scope.

The other recommendations are  to ensure any detention order issued against any persons suspected of the ‘offence of terrorism’ be subject to judicial oversight as envisaged by Article 13(2) of the Constitution; Ensure that a judge is, at all times, vested with meaningful authority to grant bail to any suspect taken into custody on suspicion of the ‘offence of terrorism’; ensure any person deprived of liberty be granted prompt and meaningful access to legal counsel without arbitrary or unreasonable conditions; and refrain from granting the police any powers to issue directives restricting the fundamental rights of the people.