Media Statement
Suhakam, Please Reconsider�
Organisers have planned the gathering at Kampung Medan, Telok Panglima Garang, 4km from the Klang-Banting exit off Kesas Highway to mark the major religious and cultural festivals of the various communities and to forge greater multi-ethnic integration within the reformasi movement.
In its reply dated Jan 10, Suhakam thanked keADILan for the invitation, but said that "after evaluating the matter, (we) regret to inform (you) that Suhakam would not be able to accept the invitation".
We hope this is not Suhakam's final decision. Suhakam's commissioners owe a responsibility to the public to monitor any gathering and to uphold the freedom of peaceful assembly, a basic constitutional right.
We congratulate Sukaham on holding an inquiry after the last massive gathering at the Kesas Highway near Shah Alam on 5 November, during which many human rights violations arose. Victims of alleged police brutality and eye-witnesses have testified during the Suhakam inquiry about the beatings, gassing and other indignities that some Malaysians suffered during and after the gathering.
Wouldn't it be better for Suhakam commissioners to be present on 20 January to see for themselves what is happening rather than rely solely on third-party witness testimony later should another inquiry be necessary?
During this historic phase in our national life, Malaysians are counting on Suhakam to rise to the occasion and to perform the solemn task entrusted to it. It has a responsibility to monitor situations where human rights violations are likely to occur, to defend the rights of citizens, and to boldly speak out against rights violations and injustice.
Indeed, Suhakam's presence at the scene on 20 January can influence events and prompt the authorities to act with utmost restraint and professionalism. This was seen on 8 August last year when Suhakam monitors outside court, where thousands had gathered to hear the Anwar sodomy verdict, helped to ensure that the occasion passed peacefully apart from a couple of incidents. Last November in Kesas, however, the absence of Suhakam monitors was sorely felt and many ordinary Malaysians were subjected to unnecessary force and humiliation. If only Suhakam had been present then.
Aliran and other concerned Malaysians are hoping that Suhakam will live up to the mandate entrusted to them by turning up as monitors on 20 January. It is not too late to reconsider. A change of heart would be a mark of courage and honour and would go a long way in strengthening the commission's credibility and independence.
Anil Netto | |||||||||||||||
Aliran urges the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to reconsider its decision to decline keADILan's invitation to monitor the "100,000 Raya gathering" near Klang on 20 January 2001.