Civil movement warns government over repressive bills

A civil movement has accused the government of going back on its election promise to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, charging that two new bills placed before Parliament carry provisions as repressive as the law they are meant to replace.

Speaking at a media briefing at the movement's headquarters in Colombo on Saturday, an executive committee member of the People's Struggle Movement said the two bills, one described as protecting the state from terrorism and another targeting organised crime, had been tabled in a hurry without any transparent public discussion.

He warned that the broad definitions in the drafts could treat democratic protests, strikes, trade union activity, distributing leaflets, publishing news and even giving shelter to protesters as terrorist offences. If three people together obstruct a state official in his duties, that too could be portrayed as organised crime, he said.

The bills would also empower the secretaries of the defence and public security ministries to issue detention orders on their own, sharply reducing judicial oversight, he said. Provisions allowing police to hold a person for up to 72 hours, and to use statements recorded at police stations as evidence in court, pose a grave threat to people's basic rights and civil liberties, he added.

He pointed out that the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and several civil organisations had made clear that no new laws are needed, since crimes can be dealt with under the ordinary criminal law already in force. The government has stepped back temporarily in the face of strong public opposition and continuing protests, but he described that as only a pause, noting a deputy minister's remark during the budget debate that the bills may be brought again.

He urged the government to withdraw both bills completely and to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act without delay, and said the movement's campaign would not stop until full justice is won for those victimised, disappeared and killed under the old law.