The Human Rights Party is keeping up the pressure on behalf of the Indian community by briefing foreign diplomats on their problems, including last weekend's peaceful march it organised against the novel Interlok.

During the two -hour event, four HRP speakers detailed several key points, particularly in education, problems in acquiring the Malaysian identity card (MyKad), temples being demolished, deaths under police custody and freedom to practise their religion.

The eight representatives who attended the 'International Lobby' briefing at the HRP headquarters were from the Indonesian, Swiss, French, Czech, German and Norwegian embassies, besides those from the European Union and UNDP.

NONEHRP secretary-general P UthayaKumar (left with participants in photo), head of manifesto Dr V Paraman, treasurer A Sugumaran and economic bureau chief K Jeevindra addressed the gathering.

However, the diplomats appeared more keen on discussing Interlok and last Sunday's anti-racism rally.

The Norwegian Embassy's first secretary Ashild Kjok, asked HRP the reason for the rally as the novel Interlok, as she understood from comments made on it, was based on historical facts and it had also ‘painted' the Chinese and Malay races negatively.

The main bone of contention

Uthayakumar explained that the issue was neither the content nor the word used in the novel, but making it a compulsory literature textbook for Form Five students.

He said the rally could not be considered a failure as it was stopped by the police.

"We had applied for a permit (to gather and march peacefully) but it was rejected by them (the police). So, instead, they came arresting anyone they felt, or saw as suspicious," he added.

Today was the second briefing organised by HRP for foreign diplomats. The first was held the same time last year.

Uthayakumar told Malaysiakini that he was delighted with this year's briefing as the representatives raised numerous questions.

"Last year, the representatives came and just listened. It's good that they are actually starting to ask questions," he said.