The Human Rights Commission, or Suhakam, was today urged to press for a police investigation into the violence at a PAS ceramah (public talk) last week.

Executive director of human rights organisation Suaram, Cynthia Gabriel, said that since Suhakam made a public statement on the matter, it should also take steps to push the authorities to find out why police officers were attacked at the PAS ceramah in Baling, Kedah.

Police said PAS supporters attacked officers when they tried to break up an illegal gathering, but the opposition party accused police of using excessive force. A police truck was partly burnt by unidentified men during the incident.

Police also alleged that they were attacked on the way back to the police station by 20 youths throwing sticks and stones. They said they also discovered a variety of weapons in the area, including knives, wooden sticks, stones and plastic bags filled with acid.

In response to the violence, the government has called upon police to strictly enforce the blanket ban on ceramah introduced last July.

Geneva conference

Yesterday, Suhakam denounced the governments ban on general assemblies as a violation of human rights.

Suhakam should hold a meeting with the Home Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai to clear the air over the situation and to preserve fundamental rights, said Gabriel.

She also urged the Suhakam to bring up the issue of freedom of assembly in Malaysia at the annual United Nations Human Rights Commission meeting in Geneva beginning March 18.

Suhakam is urged to bring this matter up for debate (as well as) to lodge necessary reports and complaints, she said.

Meanwhile, national news agency Bernama reported that Abdullah, who is also the deputy prime minister, was prepared to meet Suhakam over the issue.

Speaking to reporters in Kuching, Sarawak, Abdullah said Suhakam was wrong in stating that all ceramah was totally banned in the country. He added that ceramah could still be held indoors if permits had been obtained.

Burmese refugees detained

In a separate matter, Gabriel said that Suaram will be meeting with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to discuss the case of two Burmese refugees who were detained by police since Sunday.

Two women from the Burmese Chin minority were headed to church when arrested on the pretext that police had to verify their immigration status.

According to Gabriel, the two women held legal refugee permits for residence in Malaysia. The UNHCR is negotiating for their immediate release, she added.

UNHCR officials could not be reached for comment.