COLOMBO – Global rights body Amnesty International on Monday (22) called on the President, who is also the Minister of Defence, not to sign the order to detain three student leaders under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA),  saying charges of terrorism do not commensurate with any offences the protesters have alleged to have committed.

Amnesty International was responding to reports that Wasantha Mudalige, convener of Inter University Students’ Federation, Galwewa Siridhamma Thera, convener of Inter University Bhikku Federation, and Hashantha Jawantha Gunathilake, member of the Kelaniya University Students’ Union, who were arrested on August 18 and 19, were being detained under the PTA.

Yamini Mishra, Amnesty International’s South Asia Director deemed the use of a draconian anti-terror law to crackdown on protesters a new low for the Sri Lankan government, and said the weaponizing of an already highly-criticized law, which should be repealed immediately, is a testament to how the authorities are unwilling to withstand any form of criticism and are systematically stifling dissenting voices.

“This is against Sri Lanka’s international human rights obligations, especially the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” she said, highlighting the fact that the charges of terrorism do not commensurate with any offences the protesters are alleged to have committed.

Describing the action by the authorities as excessive, disproportionate and in violation of international law, she noted that the PTA allows for detention of suspects for up to a year without charge, which is in violation of international law. “The defence minister must not sign an order to detain them further under the PTA,” she urged.

She also noted that the PTA has a long history of abuse in Sri Lanka, and the recent development shows precisely why both local and international actors have been calling for its repeal.

“Time and time again, the Act has been used as a tool to silence government critics, journalists and minorities,” she pointed out.

Sri Lanka’s worsening economic crisis has led to violations of the people’s civil, political, economic and social rights. Over the last few months, the President, Prime Minister, and the cabinet of ministers have had to resign following wide-spread public protests seeking their resignations.

The government responded to largely peaceful protests with excessive and unnecessary force and emergency laws giving sweeping powers to the police and the armed forces, in an effort to curb further demonstrations.

Amnesty International and other rights and civil society bodies have urged the Sri Lankan government to end its crackdown on peaceful protests. Amnesty International has also documented the use of the draconian PTA by the Government of Sri Lanka to target, and harass minorities, activists, journalists and critical voices.

-ENCL