Tag: prevention of terrorism act (pta) sri lanka

Attorney Dhanushka Silva Explores History and Impact of the Prevention of Terrorism Act

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Attorney Dhanushka Silva recently presented his insights on the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) during a two-day conference organized for regional leaders by the Right to Life Human Rights Centre. The event, held at the Camelot Hotel in Negombo, attracted many regional representatives and staff members of the Right to Life Human Rights Centre. In his presentation, Attorney Silva explored the historical and contextual background of the PTA, highlighting its introduction to Parliament in 1979 by the former State Minister, Lalith Athulathmudali. Silva explained that Minister Athulathmudali, in justifying the…

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Suppression of rights using the Prevention of Terrorism Act

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Under the infamous PTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act) enacted in 1979, the defense minister could detain anyone for 90 days on “suspicion of terrorist activities”. The Defense Minister can extend the detention up to 180 days. The PTA gives the police broad powers to arbitrarily arrest and detain anyone without charge.The use of torture to obtain confessions by the police in Sri Lanka is allowed to present these “confessions” as evidence in court.The government has the power under the PTA to ban any organization it deems “terrorist,” and it can…

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SRI LANKA: Suspend PTA immediately – UN Experts tells GOSL

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By Basil Fernando The Sri Lankan delegation to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) suffered a great setback when its promise to amend the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979 as amended (PTA) was responded to by the 16 UN special experts calling on the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) to suspend the PTA altogether and immediately. The experts said, after the suspension, the Government could suitably enact anti terrorism law which is in keeping with international law. Thus, the usual trick employed by Sri…

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Is the Prevention of Terrorism Act Enough to Solve Problems ???

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PTA Amendment

Human rights lawyer Armisa Tiegel has issued a statement on the failure to introduce the Prevention of Terrorism Amendment Bill. By Ermiza Tegal The Prevention of Terrorism Act of 1979 (PTA) is a draconian piece of legislation that is responsible for the extensive erosion of civil liberties of the people of Sri Lanka. Harm has been caused to persons directly affected by its provisions, as well as specific communities who have been targeted by the PTA. Moreover, it has undermined the safeguards of security and liberty of all Sri Lankans.…

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The youth who was imprisoned for 12 years under the PTA Act has been released

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A Tamil youth who was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and imprisoned for more than 12 years without charge has been acquitted and released by a court. The Moneragala Magistrate’s Court has acquitted and released Kadirvelu Kabilan, a 20 year old youth. He is a resident of Akkarepattu, Sinnapanamkattai in the Ampara District. Kadirvelu Kabilan, who was arrested on May 20, 2009 after the end of the war in the North, has been remanded in custody for one and a half years and remanded from February 15, 2011…

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