Prolonged arbitrary detention, torture under SL’s PTA - HRW

Human Rights Watch alleges the Sri Lankan government is using the Prevention of Terrorism Act to commit prolonged arbitrary detention and torture.

In a report, HRW urged the European Union, other trading partners, and donors, to press for time-bound action to repeal the abusive law and reject the government’s vague pledges of reform.

Titled “In a Legal Black Hole’: Sri Lanka’s Failure to Reform the Prevention of Terrorism Act,” the 59-page report documents the misuse of the PTA against the minority Tamil and Muslim communities, and to suppress civil society groups.

“Sri Lankan authorities continue to use the Prevention of Terrorism Act to sweep away targeted people’s basic rights, reneging on past government promises to repeal the law,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, HRW’s South Asia director.

“EU members and other countries should reject the Rajapaksa administration’s unconvincing promises to reform the PTA and press for the law’s prompt repeal,” said Ganguly.