Sri Lanka’s new Government came under international censure over the use of tough anti-terror laws to detain protesters who forced Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down from the Presidency in Sri Lanka.
Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States are among the countries that have raised concerns over the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) on protesters in Sri Lanka.
Concerned about reports on the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act in recent arrests as we refer to information given by #GoSL to the International Community about the de-facto moratorium of the use of #PTA
— EU in Sri Lanka (@EU_in_Sri_Lanka) August 22, 2022
Concerned about reported use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. #PTA is seen as inconsistent with respect for human rights. We urge authorities to stand by their commitments to stop its use.
— UK in Sri Lanka 🇬🇧🇱🇰 (@UKinSriLanka) August 22, 2022
Using laws that don’t conform with international human rights standards – like the PTA – erodes democracy in Sri Lanka. We encourage the government to uphold the rights of the people to express their views.
— Ambassador Julie Chung (@USAmbSL) August 22, 2022
Three student activists arrested last week during the first anti-Government protests after the end of a State of Emergency were being held under the PTA.
The PTA allows suspects to be detained for 90 days without judicial review.
