PRESS
STATEMENT
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND THE RIGHT TO A PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY MUST BE PROTECTED
AND RESPECTED
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (the Commission) is
deeply disappointed and concerned over various reported incidents, including
those reported by its monitoring teams, that took place during the public rally
held on 28 April 2012, in particular, allegations
of the heavy-handed and arbitrary manner by which the police dispersed members
of the public. The Commission is also appalled by the alleged treatment of the
police of members of the media, who are duty-bound to professionally and
ethically record, document and report any event of public interest; some were allegedly
assaulted while two reporters were reportedly arrested, besides having their
equipment damaged or confisticated by the authorities. The Commission also notes with great concern
instances of unruly and disorderly conduct and behaviour on the part of some of
the participants of the rally.
Nevertheless, the use of disproportionate and unwarranted force against the
participants of the rally as well as members of the media is an unacceptable conduct on the part of the police whose duty is to
maintain law and order and public security in a professional manner, more so
when handling and facilitating public assemblies.
The
Commission, in its Annual Reports as well as the reports of the Public Inquiry with
regard to the excessive use of force by the police during public assemblies, has
repeatedly called upon the authorities, where they find it necessary to control
or disperse a crowd during an assembly, to employ proportionate and nonviolent
methods. Furthermore, the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force
and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials also provides that law enforcement
officials shall, as far as possible, apply nonviolent means before resorting to
the use of force.
Although the Commission has on
several occasions offered to act as a
mediator between the police and the organisers of public assemblies in order to
arrive at an amicable consensus between the parties before the event,
unfortunately, such offers were rejected.
It has also on numerous occasions called upon the authorities to allow and to
facilitate the right of the people to assemble peacefully. The Commission had also urged the police to
facilitate the people’s exercise of their right to assemble peacefully and to
express their views without jeopardising the rights of others to conduct their daily
lives and affairs with minimum disruption. That participants in similar rallies
held in a few other places like Georgetown, Kuantan, Johor Bahru, Ipoh, Kuching
and Kota Kinabalu, were allowed to assemble and disperse in a peaceful, orderly
and responsible manner without any untoward incident is testimony to the feasibility of such measures.
The Commission wishes to reiterate its stand that while
it acknowledges that peace and stability are paramount and that public order
needs to be maintained at all times, it is also of the view that public
assemblies provide an avenue for the public to express themselves on issues
that are of concern. These rights are provided for under Article 10(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution and
Article 20(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as well as
the Peaceful Assembly Act 2011, and Article
19 of the UDHR on freedom of expression.
Nonetheless, in the quest for a full functional democracy,
the Commission has frequently urged all parties to exercise their rights
responsibly in ensuring that peace and safety of all involved are safeguarded
and equally important, that the rights of other people who are indirectly
involved must also be respected and protected.
At this juncture, the
Commission is calling upon members of the public and the media as well as the
relevant authorities who had witnessed any acts or incidents relating to the
allegations of infringements of human rights during the rally of 28th April
2012 to submit the relevant information, other documents and evidence to the
Commission as soon as possible for its investigation. In the interim, the Commission will discuss
this matter, analyse the evidence gathered and study the reports of its
monitoring team in considering its next course of action.
For further inquiry and submission of information and
documents, please contact:
Complaints, Inquiry and Monitoring Group
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
11th Floor, Menara TH Perdana
Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2612 5600; Fax: 03-2612 5694/5620
-END-
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