Colombo, the 'inhuman' anti-terrorism law a source of abuse and violence

Activists and international institutions call for the "immediate" suspension of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pta) wanted by the Sri Lankan authorities. The denunciation on the occasion of the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council. Sri Lankan religious: a law inspired by the "criterion of revenge", nothing has changed under the Wickremesinghe administration. 

Colombo (AsiaNews) - Christian activists in Sri Lanka and international institutions, including the European Union, have appealed to the government to suspend with "immediate" effect a law used in an "inhuman" way to target citizens. At the centre of the controversy is the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pta), used in the recent past to target peaceful demonstrators as denounced by EU representatives at the UN Human Rights Council. 

At the 51st session this week, European delegates reaffirmed their commitment to human rights, reconciliation and accountability of those responsible for the violence in the Asian country. Even in the face of enormous challenges represented by the street protests and the change of government leadership, it remains crucial to guarantee human rights and basic freedoms "including people and groups in marginalised and vulnerable situations". 

The Christian Solidarity Movement (Csm) also intervened, strongly condemned the anti-terrorism law calling for it to be withdrawn "immediately" because it is a source of "inhuman repression".

During a press conference promoted by the Centre for Society and Religion in Maradana, Fr Sarath Iddamalgoda reported the arrest of "about 3,000 activists and at least 1,200 of them ended up in prison". Some were detained under the Pta and 'about 20 of them are Tamil youths'. "Is fighting for basic needs like food wrong?" asks the priest, according to whom it is not possible to equate a protest with an 'act of terrorism'. 

The appeal is echoed by Sister Rasika Peiris, also a member of the Csm, who stands in solidarity with the young people who took to the streets to fight against social injustice, economic inequality and widespread poverty. And, because of this, they were victims of brutal repression at the hands of police forces who acted with impunity thanks to the anti-terrorism law.

"Here they have acted according to the criterion of personal revenge," the nun accuses, "and not by applying the law", which is why it is even more urgent that "the law be cancelled immediately", since it now allows the same abuses in the south as in the past in the north [at the time of the war against the Tamils]. 

Lawyer and pro-human rights activist Nuwan Bopege was among those who spoke at the 51st UN session, denouncing the abuses and distortions associated with the rule. 'The government's violent response,' he points out, 'to popular protests leaves no room for optimism' even under the [Ranil] Wickremesinghe administration.

"Many peaceful protesters,' he continues, 'including myself, have been arrested since the president took office'. In this climate, the activist concludes, 'it is crucial that the Council promotes accountability for human rights violations, wartime atrocities and economic crimes, as well as bringing to justice those responsible for the Easter massacres'.