HRCSL recommends Public Security Ministry to pay Rs. 200,000 to Rusdi for violating fundamental rights

Saturday, 14 June 2025 00:47 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Directs all CTID officers to refrain from ‘racial profiling’ when conducting investigations

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has ruled out that the fundamental rights of Mohamed Liyaudeen Mohamed Rusdi have been violated by his detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) for pasting a sticker against Israel.

The HRCSL has also recommended the Public Security Ministry to pay Rusdi Rs. 200,000 for what he suffered with respect to his freedom to engage in a lawful occupation and collective responsibility of Sri Lanka Police with regard to his detention.

The Commission has also directed the Public Security Ministry Secretary to implement the recommendations on or before 15 July and submit a report to the HRCSL on progress with respect to implementing those recommendations.

The HRCSL commenced an investigation on the arrest and detention of Rusdi on 22 March, under the PTA and held the inquiry into the matter on 10 April and 21 May.

Separately, his mother – Mohamed Hanifa Badhurnisa also lodged a complaint at the HRCSL alleging her son was unlawfully arrested under the PTA on 22 March. She claimed that she believed that the arrest and subsequent detention of her son was erroneous and that she was concerned that state authorities were attempting to frame false charges against him

Under the PTA, a resident of Nittambuwa, Rusdi was charged for associating with members of extremist or terrorist organisations, motivated by extremist ideologies and acting in a manner detrimental to peace and harmony among communities. He was detained at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for over 90-days from the date of arrest.

Issuing its directives to the Director and five officers of the Police’s Counter Terrorism and Investigation Division (CTID), the HRCSL has also directed Police to issue clear instructions in writing to all CTID officers to refrain from ‘racial profiling’ and to conduct investigations on objective factors alone without undue consideration of s suspect’s racial or religious background.

It has also directed to issue clear instructions in writing to all CTID officers that where a suspect’s ‘state of mind’ or other psychological factor become relevant to an investigation, a report from a trained independent professional in criminal psychology, psychiatry or similar field should be obtained prior to proceeding with investigation.

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