NGOs: Stop intimidating human rights activists
PETALING JAYA: Several non-governmental organisations have urged the government and police to stop intimidating human rights activists.
Suara Rakyat Malaysia executive director Sevan Doraisamy said there were cases where human rights activists were called in by police to give their statements to facilitate investigations into peaceful assemblies.
“The authorities intimidate human rights activists by calling in rally participants.
“I have been questioned three times since the new government came to power. I was summoned to the Dang Wangi district police headquarters to give my statement yesterday (Thursday),” he said here yesterday.
Sevan said the authorities’ standard operating procedures were selective.
“For example, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu had attended a rally at Sogo before the May 9 polls.
“When I asked the police why he was not called in, I was told that it was because he is a minister. That’s selective.”
Parti Sosialis Malaysia Central Committee member S. Arulchelvan said intimidation of human rights activists by the new government was no different from what the former government did.
“The authorities are using Sections 111 and 112 to probe peaceful assemblies, even though they have been notified (about the rallies) as requested.
“What’s bizarre is that reports are lodged by police. They lodge a police report, then they investigate.”
Arulchelvan said police action was acceptable only if there were untoward incidents during the gatherings.
“But what is frustrating is that participants were only handing over a memorandum and marching, but they (police) lodge a report and investigate.
“It is acceptable if reports are lodged by the people for public disturbance, but they are lodged by police.
“We hope the new government will abolish the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and allow the people to gather peacefully to express their opinions.
“Police should help in this and not restrict freedom of speech.”