The UN Human Rights Office has expressed its opposition to the Sri Lankan government over the proposed new Prevention of Terrorism Bill, political sources say. The UN Human Rights Office is said to have pointed out to the government that the proposed new bill could further exacerbate the adverse conditions of the existing bill and could pose serious human rights concerns.
The UN Human Rights Office, which points out that the definition of ‘terrorism’ included in the new bill is very broad and vague, warns that it could severely restrict fundamental democratic rights such as freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of the media.
The Office has also expressed its concern that this could lead to prolonged detention of suspects without adequate judicial oversight, as well as incidents such as torture and enforced disappearances.
They emphasize that the new bill should include positive changes, especially such as removing the provisions for the admissibility of confessions made while in police custody as evidence.