Justice Minister Ali Sabry responded to former MP Hirunika Premachandra about the request she had made directing his attention to the needs of women with infants attending court sessions.
Hirunika Premachandra received a warrant to arrest by the Colombo High Court yesterday. It was for not appearing in court over a case filed on the abduction of a youth in Dematagoda in the year 2015.
Later she clarified that she was within the court premises but she was breastfeeding her 1 ½- months old child inside her vehicle at the time of being summoned.
Also she explained that courts did not have an allocated space for women with infants who are required to attend court sessions and pointed out for Justice Minister to address the situation.
Later Justice Minister Ali Sabry responded to her request with a Facebook message.
“I cannot put a value on the importance of motherhood, and accordingly no mother should have to face difficulties in accessing courthouses due to the need to feed their child,”
He further explained his aknowledgemen about the court system not having provisions made for such an important part in humans life. He also vowed to work towards ensuring that it provides the facilities for infant care in its administration of justice system.
The Justice Minister vowed that he was determined to ensure that there is no discrimination or bar to the access to justice and the Justice Ministry must work towards ensuring that it provides the facilities for infant care in its administration of justice system.
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