Arrest and continued detention of lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah
Sri-Lanka
Three months after his arrest, Sri Lankan lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah remains detained, without access to his lawyers.
On 14 April 2020, Mr. Hizbullah, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID), reportedly under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Three months after his arrest, Hejaaz Hizbullah has not been formally charged or presented before a court. Furthermore, his lawyers do not have access to him and his wife’s limited visits are always recorded. At the time of arrest no reasons were provided to Hejaaz Hizbullah.
Lawyers for Lawyers has previously expressed concern about the fact that Mr. Hizbullah has not been given access to his attorneys and underlined the importance of the fair trial standards that are laid down in Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and in Article 7 of the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
Lawyers for Lawyers calls on the Sri Lankan authorities to ensure and guarantee Hejaaz Hizbullah’s due process- and fair trial rights, in accordance with guarantees under international law, including the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.