The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) is disappointed that the public was not allowed to assemble peacefully during the anti-ISA candlelight vigil on Sunday at Dataran Petaling, Petaling Jaya in Selangor.

Suhakam, who was present during the vigil, said that the authorities stopped the gathering and dispersed the crowd with much haste.

NONE The authorities did not issue proper warnings and allow ample time to disperse, thus resulting in a commotion where 22 men and eight women were arrested, said Suhakam chairperson Hasmy Agam ( right ) in a statement.

"We recommend that in the event where the police find it necessary to control or disperse a crowd, proportionate and non-violent methods should be employed," he said.

Suhakam reiterated that the all citizens have the right to assemble peacefully as guaranteed by Article 10(1)(b) of the federal constitution. The right to freedom of assembly is also guaranteed in Article 20(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The commission also raised the issue of why the police required lawyers to provide statements.

"This unusual practice forced the lawyers to pull out from giving legal counsel to the detainees. Apart from that, Suhakam feels that the authorities could have expedited the process of bail at the police station, as the detainees had to endure long hours before they could be released," he added.

Hasmy however noted the police extended full cooperation to the commission to enabled them to monitor the assembly and recording statements.

‘Minister should resign'

Meanwhile three non-government organisations (NGO) called for the home minister and the police chief to resign over the arrests of the 36 people during the ISA vigil.

LLG Cultural Development Centre, Writers Alliance for Media Independence and the committee of civil rights for Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall urged that the two must take responsibility of the police action, which had violated the people's rights to assemble peacefully.

"The home minister had said before that an amendment to ISA will be tabled at the end of June and there will be a provision to ensure that the people can assemble in peace.

"But we feel that the mass arrests go against the government's promise to amend ISA, and shows that the government is ignoring the people's civil rights," they said in a joint media statement.

They added that since enacting the ISA, the ruling party has repeatedly used the act as a weapon against opposition members and individuals who go against the government, in order to maintain their political power.

"We urge that the government repeal the ISA unconditionally, and not amend (an act that) has lost its original purpose," they said.

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