🚨 Saliya Pieris Calls for Safeguards Against Long-Standing Legal Abuses under PTA, ICCPR Act

Former Bar Association of Sri Lanka President Saliya Pieris, PC, has urged for stronger safeguards against the persistent misuse of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), the ICCPR Act, and Emergency Regulations by successive governments. • Key Issues Highlighted: Pieris warned that the executive abuse of these specific laws has historically led to prolonged, unnecessary detentions and serious fundamental rights violations. • Systemic Impact: Advocates note that these legal frameworks have contributed to a culture of torture, alongside cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment within police stations and prisons. • Judicial Oversight: The statement strongly advocates that detention decisions must be handled strictly by judges acting under the rule of law, rather than by executive authorities such as Presidents, Ministers, Secretaries, or Police Officers. • Equality Under the Law: Pieris noted a recurring political irony where individuals who previously enforced or defended these laws later faced them, or vice versa. He emphasized that constitutional rights and human dignity (Article 11) must apply equally to everyone, regardless of political standing or allegations.