Tag: human rights

Sri Lanka: 25 Years with Act against Torture 2019

Editor

The Act of the Convention against Torturing and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatments or punishments was passed in the parliament in 1994 as it was needed to impose provisions for implementing the commitment of Sri Lanka under this International Convention. It was passed in the parliament in 25th November 1994 and is apropos since 20th December 1994. This research is about Act of the Convention against Torturing and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatments or punishments  done by organization of Right to Life  Human Rights Center. this is written…

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Debate on restoring security is diverted to suit political ends

Editor

Late Mr. Tarzie Vittachithe, winner of many prestigious awards for journalism, had a favourite saying that, “Everything is about something else”. In a similar manner, the parliamentary discussion on two no-confidence motions is also clearly about other issues, rather than the brutal carnage that took place on Easter Sunday and the causes thereof. The government is looking at these motions to prevent its fall from power, while the opposition is looking at them with the view to topple the government from power. No one is debating the factors that led…

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Public space decreasing as talk of presidential election looms large

Editor

In an unprecedented move, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena attacked the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) for carrying out its duty to vet soldiers to participate in United Nations Peacekeeping Missions. While the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations requires the HRCSL to vet the human rights record of persons proposed for participation in peacekeeping missions, the President and the military are opposing this move. As a result, an earlier group of peacekeepers already in the Missions continue to be there, while a new group is unable to go. Two…

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From instability to greater disability

Editor

Perhaps one thing that was forgotten when Lord Dunmore gave Adult Franchise for all, and also when Sri Lanka became an independent nation, is the stability of the social structure of a country. This is what provides for the establishment of the government, which will ensure security and stability to all. When these matters are talked or written about, the invariable reaction is that we have gone deep into this crisis. Not just cynics, but those who know the ground reality, feel that whatever description is given about this crisis…

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A Snapshot of the Criminal Justice System: Building a Picture Through Sexual Violence Cases in the Court of Appeal 2018 by Shenali De Silva and supported publication

Editor

The disparity in sentences illustrated a lack of uniformity and consistency in judges’ approaches to sentencing sexual violence offending. The non-adherence to statutory minimum sentences and ordering suspended sentences compounded the lack of consistency in sentencing. The existence, and extent, of sentencing disparities alerts to larger issues around the exercise of judicial discretion and the need for sentencing guidelines and other parameters to ensure consistency, fairness, and to minimise arbitrariness in judicial decision-making. Disparity in judicial decision-making, including non-observance of legislative constraints, indicates the exercise of judicial discretion is an…

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