During the past fortnight there have been many calls for the immediate repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Given the fluid and complex political context, and the upcoming parliamentary elections, it appears unlikely this will happen in the short term. However, there are a number of immediate measures the government could implement to illustrate its bona fides, and begin the process of re-building a relationship of trust with citizens, particularly Tamil speaking persons who constituted the majority of those arrested under national security laws. In addition to immediately reviewing the cases of those in detention and remand, and either releasing them or filing charges based on credible evidence, one of the other measures that could be taken is rescinding regulations issued under the PTA in August 2011 following the lapsing of the state of emergency.
During the past fortnight there have been many calls for the immediate repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Given the fluid and complex political context, and the upcoming parliamentary elections, it appears unlikely this will happen in the short term. However, there are a number of immediate measures the government could implement to illustrate its bona fides, and begin the process of re-building a relationship of trust with citizens, particularly Tamil speaking persons who constituted the majority of those arrested under national security laws. In addition to immediately reviewing the cases of those in detention and remand, and either releasing them or filing charges based on credible evidence, one of the other measures that could be taken is rescinding regulations issued under the PTA in August 2011 following the lapsing of the state of emergency.