Communist Party opposes proposed counterterror organised crime laws

The Communist Party of Sri Lanka (CPSL) has vehemently opposed the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill and Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, arguing that these laws pose a significant threat to democratic freedoms and fundamental rights. The party recognizes the importance of combating terrorism and organised crime, having experienced violence during both the civil conflict and the 1987-90 period.

However, the CPSL is deeply concerned that the broad powers and sweeping provisions in these bills could be misused to establish a dictatorial government, curtail democratic dissent, and suppress social movements. They express particular worry over over-criminalization, threats to freedom of expression, excessive executive power, and altered conditions of detention, bail, and confessions.

The CPSL emphasizes that the people of Sri Lanka have a strong history of defending democratic rights through various movements, and legislation that creates wide powers of surveillance, detention, restriction, and criminalization without adequate judicial safeguards and democratic oversight could be detrimental to democratic freedoms and the rights of ordinary citizens.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.