Global union fears Counter Terrorism Act will affect TU rights

IndustriALL Global Union, a global trade union, has urged the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to intervene in an issue in Sri Lanka which threatens the rights of trade unions.

The letter has been sent by Valter Sanches, IndustriALL General Secretary to Mona Rishmawi, Chief of the Rule of Law Section of the UN Human Rights Commissioner’s Office.

“Our affiliated unions in Sri Lanka have called our attention to the current discussions in Parliament on the draft Counter Terrorist Act ( CTA), which contains provisions, such as Section 03(1)(b), ( c), and Section 03( 2) ( d), ( f), and ( j), that could be used against any civil society organisations, including trade unions, expressing any kind of opposition to a government policy. This law would represent a serious threat to fundamental workers and trade union rights, particularly in the current context in which the government is trying to push for labour reform ( Single Labour Law), which unions are legitimately opposing,” the letter said.

It said the CTA signifies an even greater threat to the promotion, protection, and respect of human rights for all than the current Prevention of Terrorism Act ( PTA). “The proposed CTA would constitute a serious breach of the p l e d ge made by t he Government of Sri Lanka in co-sponsoring Human Rights Council Resolution 30/ 1, which ‘Welcomes the commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to review the Public Security Ordinance Act and to review and repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and to replace it with anti-terrorism legislation in accordance with contemporary international best practices’.”

Given the gravity of the situation, the letter urges the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights ( OHCHR) to engage with the Government of Sri Lanka to call on them to fulfil strictly their human rights international obligation.

It also pointed out that IndustriALL Global Union condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks on April 21, which took the lives of nearly 300 people, including hotel workers. “We understand the urgent need for the government to respond firmly against the threat of terrorism, but it should always act within the rule of law and in full respect of fundamental human rights,” the letter added.