IPU glad Rishad finally released

The Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) has welcomed MP Rishad Bathiudeen’s “final release” in an official tweet last week acknowledging his bailing following his arrest under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and said it will “closely monitor his trial”

Bathiudeen, the Leader of All Ceylon Makkal Congress, was arrested by the CID on April 24, 2021 and detained for 177 days before being bailed on Oct 14.

The case drew the attention of the IPU, an international organization comprising of 179 national Parliaments and 13 regional Parliamentary assemblies from all over the globe. Established in 1889, the primary goal of the IPU has been to promote democratic governance and accountability.

It also has permanent observer status in the United Nations General Assembly and considerable influence in UN affairs having contributed towards numerous resolutions of the General Assembly.

The IPU investigations of Bathiudeen’s matter are still ongoing and have not been made public. It is likely that IPU would take up this case in its upcoming session in November at Madrid, Spain, analysts said.