BASL seeks tighter laws to combat police brutality

COLOMBO (News1st): The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has called for tighter laws to combat police brutality, insisting that it must go beyond judicial officers' visits to suspects in police stations. Justice minister Ali Sabry had recently presented a bill to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure, requiring magistrates to look into the wellbeing of suspects by visiting them at police stations monthly. However, in a press release issued yesterday, the BASL insisted that monthly visits will be insufficient to address police brutality in Sri Lanka. The BASL also pointed out that a concerted effort by all authorities, including the National Police Commission and the Human Rights Commission, is required to address this issue. It said that it would continue to observe the action being taken to address this disturbing trend and stands ready to intervene where necessary. The BASL stressed that failure to hold such errant Police Officers to account would ultimately lead to an erosion in the Rule of Law and the confidence the public have in the Police Department.