To assist suspects detained for questioning:

Duty Attorneys at police stations

by Manjula Fernando

The Justice Ministry through the Legal Aid Commission is considering the feasibility of stationing Duty Attorneys in police stations to assist suspects detained for questioning.

Justice Minister Rauff Hakeen in a statement to Parliament last week revealed the ongoing plans in this connection.

He said, ‘We have already prepared the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code and we can perhaps discuss it at the next Consultative Committee of the Ministry,’ wrapping up the debate on the introduction of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Special Provisions) Act which provides to detain suspects arrested without a warrant for 48 hours.

Stationing Duty Attorneys at police stations is a recommendation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

The recommendation has been incorporated in the National Human Rights Action plan which is already in the implementation phase.

Since providing Duty Attorneys will have financial obligations, it should be subject to Treasury approval,” he said.’

It has been proposed that the Legal Aid Commission in Sri Lanka should be strengthened to facilitate the services of Duty Attorneys at every police station in the country.

“This matter is under consideration and we will certainly bring it into operation,” the Justice Minister said.