Elaine Pearson, Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, states that the proposed Prevention of Organized Crime Bill would allow for convictions based on confessions obtained by the police a provision that could encourage the use of torture.
Additionally, Human Rights Watch points out that this Act carries the risk of leading to arbitrary detentions, acts of torture, and other human rights violations. In a statement, the organization points out that this bill would allow for the long-term detention of individuals without adequate judicial oversight.
The organization further emphasizes the risk that such detentions could occur even in the absence of evidence that a crime has been committed.
Moreover, it is noted that if the bill is enacted in its current form, there is a risk of a recurrence of the serious human rights violations that previously occurred in Sri Lanka under similar laws.