According to a statement released by the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the group has been keeping a close eye on the unfolding crises in Sri Lanka and the rule of law issues that have arisen as a result.
The group goes on to express its appreciation for and backing of The Bar Association of Sri Lanka’s efforts to uphold the rule of law without bias or intimidation.
According to the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the Sri Lankan government has grossly violated the rights of its citizens who took part in protests against the government on April 9, 2022, and who voiced their displeasure with the mismanagement of the Sri Lankan economy and the widespread corruption within the government by arbitrarily detaining them for 90 days under the Preventative Measures Against Terrorism Act.
The group emphasises that the PTA should be used only to counter terrorism and not to stifle people’s constitutionally protected freedom of speech, expression, and peaceful protest.
In a statement, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association urged Sri Lanka’s Ranil Wickremesinghe-led government to
Respect the law when employing the PTA.
- Not to use the PTA in a way that undermines citizens’ constitutionally protected rights in Sri Lanka.
Respect the commitment of Commonwealth nations to uphold individual freedom in accordance with the rule of law, as stated in the Harare Declaration of 1991.
Moreover, to meet commitments arising from international law,
