HRC: HSZ cannot be declared under Official Secret Act

The Human Rights Commission has slammed the government over the recent declaration of high security zones in Colombo. The HRC has questioned the legality of the government’s decision in the wake of the Opposition demanding the immediate withdrawal of the gazette the government has issued to that effect.

The following is the text of the statement issued by the HRC: “The notion that the High-Security Zones be declared under the Official Secret Act is a fallacy, without any justification or basis. The Human Rights Commission is deeply concerned about the Government’s approach to adopting the Official Secret Act and making a declaration which grossly violates the fundamental rights of the people of this country. The Official Secret Act cannot be adopted to declare High-Security Zones.

HRC further advises the Government to direct the withdrawal of the gazette bearing No.2298/53 dated 23rd September and to take measures to ensure that national laws are following the accepted international and national human rights norms and standards and to preclude declarations that violate those norms and standards.”