Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Amnesty International calls for withdrawal of new organised crime bill
Human rights organisation Amnesty International has urged Parliament to immediately withdraw the Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, citing concerns that its provisions could undermine fundamental legal protections and grant authorities excessive discretionary powers.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Amnesty International has raised serious concerns about the Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill tabled in Parliament on 6 October, warning that the legislation contains provisions that could violate internationally recognised human rights standards.
The organisation said the Bill grants law enforcement agencies sweeping arbitrary powers in the name of combating organised crime while simultaneously stripping suspects of critical legal protections. Among the most contentious provisions is language that would permit confessions obtained under duress to be presented as admissible evidence in court proceedings.
The rights group contends that such measures would fundamentally undermine Sri Lanka's judicial framework and breach international human rights commitments to which the country is signatory. Amnesty International has called for the Bill to be withdrawn entirely pending a comprehensive review of its provisions to ensure compliance with international legal standards and the country's constitutional protections.
The call comes as Sri Lanka faces mounting pressure to balance security concerns with the protection of individual freedoms. Parliamentary debate on the Bill is expected to intensify in coming weeks as stakeholders weigh the government's security objectives against civil liberties considerations.