Release those held under PTA for prolonged periods- HRC

by Manjula Fernando

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has called for the immediate release of those held in detention under terrorism laws, for a long period of time without charges or credible evidence.

In a letter to the Attorney General, Yuwanjana Wijayatilake on Friday, the HRC had expressed ‘grave concern’ about the rights of detainees being held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and Emergency Regulations and the rehabilitation process.

The HRC has called upon the AG to review the cases and consider enlarging on bail the accused against whom there is credible evidence but had been in detention or in remand prison for long periods of time. The Commission has also sought the AG’s intervention to withdraw all cases which are based solely on confessions to the police.

Sources from the AG’s Department, when contacted said they had already begun releasing suspects held under the PTA without credible evidence and indict or rehabilitate those with credible charges, as appropriate.