COLOMBO – The proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill requires substantial amendments before it can be considered consistent with international human rights standards or meet the conditions associated with Sri Lanka’s GSP+ trade preferences, Alan Keenan, Senior Consultant, International Crisis Group (ICG), has said.
The Cabinet last week approved the publication in the Gazette of the proposed bill, which is intended to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), subject to necessary amendments. The legislation is expected to be presented to Parliament following its gazette notification.
Commenting on the proposed legislation on his X account, Keenan described the draft as “very bad”, suggesting that the existing PTA appeared comparatively less severe in some respects.
He said the government’s revised draft would need to be examined once it is published in the Gazette to determine what changes have been made to the legislation.
Keenan stressed that significant amendments would be necessary before the proposed law could be regarded as compatible with international human rights standards.
He also said the legislation would need to meet relevant international commitments and standards linked to Sri Lanka’s continued eligibility for GSP+ trade preferences.
The government’s move comes amid longstanding calls for the repeal of the PTA, which has faced criticism over its broad provisions and the manner in which it has been used to detain and prosecute suspects under national security laws.
-ENCL
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