ATA had global consensus in 2018 says Justice Minister
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s proposed anti-terrorism Bill is little changed from the one presented in 2018 under the previous government, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said, adding that the previous bill was presented after lengthy discussions with International agencies and partners.
There has been strong criticism against the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), which will replace the four-decade old Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Sri Lanka came under severe criticism when the governments in power misused the PTA to suppress dissents under the guise of national security. The European Union has demanded the PTA be repealed due to its longer period of detention and confession being used against suspects in return for renewing a lucrative trade concession.
When questioned whether EU recommendations had been included in the new act, Rajapakshe denied of any recommendation from the Europe bloc stating, “What happened was that we had a lengthy discussion with all those agencies before we finalized this bill which was presented to the Parliament in 2018.”
He said the current bill was based purely on the provisions of the 2018 bill, and that there were no significant difference, only some little changes. “Therefore I hope that they will take these things as more beneficial to society,” he added.
Rajapakshe however said the final decision on the new Act will be decided by the Supreme Court.
Both local and international critics and rights activists have said the ATA is vague and could be used against anti-government protesters, media, and dissent.
The EU has strongly requested the government to repeal the PTA, which was introduced to as a temporary Act to curb terrorism, but has been abused by successive governments to suppress dissent and against minority communities.
German Ambassador Holger Seubert told the media in February that Sri Lanka risks losing EU trade concessions over failures to replace the PTA despite government promises to the EU and Germany several times that it will bring the PTA in line with international standards.
-economynext.com
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