PAKATAN RAKYAT condemns the prosecution of 29 persons including a 16 year old juvenile in the Sessions Court yesterday for alleged unlawful assembly.
This act of selective punishment is clearly intended to intimidate those who participated in the Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA organised peaceful gathering on Saturday and an attempt to threaten future assemblies. It again confirms to all Malaysians and the world that the UMNO/BN government has no respect for the basic human and constitutional right of peaceful assembly guaranteed in the Federal Constitution.
PR condemns the manner in which violence in the form of physical violence, tear gas and strong chemical weapons were used to inflict violence on the crowd which included women and minors. This shameful oppressive behaviour reflects badly on the government and tarnishes the image of Malaysia in the eyes of the world.
The allegation that the GMI organisers and participants in the rally on Saturday caused businesses to lose income to the extent of hundreds of millions is laughable and completely exaggerated. Anyone can see that if the police had been instructed by their BN masters to allow the rally, one would have had a peaceful rally and the tens of thousands of persons present would have boosted business in that area of KL instead.
It is a simple matter for the police to work to work together with organisers of rallies to ensure that the right of peaceful assembly is protected and to ensure minimal disruption to traffic and movement of persons. SUHAKAM, the government’s own adviser on human rights appointed through statute has repeatedly told the BN government this for the last 10 years. Yet the BN refuses to accept this.
In doing so, it shows to Malaysia and the world, its real political values i.e. it is no respecter of the basic rights of its own citizens, it practices a sham democracy, that what the BN is really about is using the state institutions like the police, the AG’s Chambers and the judiciary to protect the interests of a group of corrupt politicians and their cronies hijacking the wealth of this country.
YB Sivarasa Rasiah,
Vice President, Parti Keadilan Rakyat
YB Dr. Hatta Ramli,
Ahli Jawatankuasa Pusat, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia
YB Tony Pua,
Central Committee Member, Democratic Action Party
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