Renewed calls to abolish Sosma

COMMENT | The recent arrests of individuals purportedly linked to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ellam (LTTE) have reignited debate on the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

Sosma itself does not create offences. A person cannot be charged for an offence under Sosma. Sosma is a law that provides procedures, evidential rules and powers to the authorities in relation to what is known as ‘security offences’. ‘Security offences’, according to the Act, include offences which fall under Part VI (offences against the State) and Part VIA (terrorism) of the Penal Code.

Sosma allows for a person to be detained for a ‘security offence’ for up to 28 days without trial.

In response to the arrests, some have called for the individuals arrested to be charged in court, instead of being detained under Sosma. In my view, this call is misplaced.

I have conducted Sosma trials for those charged under these offences. The biggest problem with Sosma is not the 28 days pre-trial detention...