The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has issued directives to be followed by designated officials arresting persons under the Prevention of Terrorism Act No 48 of 1979 (PTA).
These directives are being issued to ensure the fundamental rights of persons arrested or detained are respected and protected, and such persons are treated humanely, the HRCSL, reports Lanka Page.
The clauses are based on the Directives on 'Arrest and Detention' issued by previous heads of state and binding international human rights law standards.
The directives are given for the arrest process, process to be followed after the arrest, and special measures related to the arrest of women and persons under 18 years.
According to the mandate of the Human Rights Commission officials of the HRCSL or any person authorized by it should be permitted access to the person arrested or detained under the PTA should be permitted to enter at any time any place of detention, police station or any other place at which such person is detained in custody or confined as per the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act no 21 of 1996.
