⚠️ PAFFREL Warns Proposed Security & Crime Bills Risk Fundamental Rights 📈

Election watchdog PAFFREL has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake requesting an urgent review of two proposed legislations—the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill and the Prevention of Organised Crime Bill—warning they threaten civil liberties and constitutional rights. • Core Policy Commitments: • Urges alignment with the National People's Power (NPP) election promise to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). • Highlights compliance risks regarding European Union GSP+ trade concessions and UN human rights standards. • Concerns on Terrorism Bill: • Broad definitions under Article 3 could classify peaceful demonstrations, humanitarian aid, and trade union actions as terrorist acts. • Article 19 expands warrantless arrest powers to armed forces and Coast Guard. • Article 26 allows Defence Ministry executive detention orders up to 1 year without judicial supervision. • Concerns on Organised Crime Bill: • Reclassifies minor offenses (intellectual property, excise, and forestry violations) as serious organised crimes. • Enables up to 1 year of executive detention and allows police-recorded confessions as admissible evidence, threatening fair trial standards. • Economic & Civil Impact: • PAFFREL warns these provisions could be used against civil society, trade unions, and calls for peaceful assembly, undermining key democratic freedoms.