The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) says the special committee it appointed to review the Anti-Terrorism Bill, gazetted on the 22nd of March 2023, has observed that clauses 3,4,10,11,13,-14,15,16,28,30,31,36,82,-83,84,85, and 86 of the bill infringe upon the principles of the criminal justice system and are in contravention of the legal rights of the citizens.
Excerpts of the BASL statement: “Further, it is the view of the Committee that the provisions stipulated in the said bill violate the fundamental rights enumerated under chapter III of the constitution of Sri Lanka, especially in light of article 14 of the constitution (i.e. freedom of speech, assembly, association, occupation, movement, etc),” the BASL said.
In view of the recommendations of the committee, the BASL will be making representations to the Ministry of Justice, and all other stakeholders, requesting that amendments be made to the bill, in compliance with the law. Further, in order to protect the rights of the citizens, in the event the bill is placed in the order paper before parliament, in the current form, BASL will be taking steps in law to challenge the bill in the appropriate forum.”
from The Island https://ift.tt/ZMPY6VA
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