We call on the authorities to immediately release the 17 men and 14 women arrested tonight for holding a candlelight vigil at Dataran Merdeka.
The vigil included participants from Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat and was to commemorate and remember all those who have died from Covid. Many of these deaths were avoidable and were a direct result of the government’s failure to take effective measures to manage the pandemic.
#Lawan vigil I repeat vigil participants are all arrested and forced into the Black Maria because they said they want to compound us but they refuse to answer our question if we are arrested and the police officer asked me not to embarass Malaysia 😐 pic.twitter.com/5XzNO4LuoF
— Thulsi Manogaran 🇲🇾 (@thulsimanogaran) August 19, 2021
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The participants were exercising their right to peaceful assembly and they should not be intimidated and arrested for exercising this right. The vigil was held at a large outdoor space, which allowed for sufficient distancing between participants. Physical distancing and mask wearing were strictly observed by everyone present at the vigil.
While restrictions on large gatherings may be imposed due to public health concerns, they must be necessary and proportionate to the aim they intend to achieve.
It is completely unnecessary, disproportionate and a violation of participants’ rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression to arrest them and to cart them away in Black Marias.
The police reportedly failed to inform participants they were being arrested nor were their rights read to them. Police officers also reportedly dragged two women against their will to the vehicles.
Look at how we r being arrested #Lawan pic.twitter.com/x03uKefx1Z
— Thulsi Manogaran 🇲🇾 (@thulsimanogaran) August 19, 2021
By putting participants in Black Maria vehicles, the authorities were forcing them together into a confined space. If they were truly concerned about public health, they would have allowed the participants to complete their vigil in the large outdoor space they were in and let them peacefully disperse.
Malaysia has recorded over 13,000 deaths from Covid. Many more such deaths will certainly occur with cases hitting a record high of 22,948 cases today. Cases and ICU admissions are rising dramatically outside the Klang Valley, worryingly in smaller states which have limited supplies of ICU beds and facilities.
The poor have been disproportionately affected, becoming even poorer due to the economic fallout from the pandemic.
It is more important than ever for the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression to be protected. The pandemic cannot be used as an excuse by the authorities to silence criticism of the government’s failings. In any event, this government has loosened restrictions and even allowed indoor dine-in in Phase 1 states, where diners will be unmasked and in close quarters.
It is thus utterly incongruous for the authorities to arrest participants of a peaceful vigil held outdoors with physical distancing and face masks on at all times.
We stand against the use of the authorities to silence dissent and criticism. We stand for the freedom of expression and the freedom of assembly. We stand with the young people and our colleagues who have been arrested for expressing the nation’s sorrow.
We call for their immediate release. Anything less dishonours the dead for whom these brave participants gathered to remember tonight.
Endorsed by the following NGOs and individuals:
- Agora Society
- Aliran
- All Women’s Action Society (Awam)
- Ambiga Sreenevasan
- Amnesty International Malaysia
- Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim)
- Angkatan Mahasiswa UM
- Benazir Japiril Bandaran
- Bersih 2.0
- Beyond Borders Malaysia
- Borneo Komrad
- Cahaya Society
- Centre for Independent Journalism
- Communication Action Network (CAN)
- Demokrat Kebangsaan
- Demokrat UM
- Family Frontiers
- Freedom Film Network
- Gerak
- Justice for Sisters
- Ivy Josiah
- Karyasama
- Klima Action Malaysia (Kamy)
- Kryss Network
- Malaysia Youths and Students Evolution Melaka
- Malaysia Youths and Students Evolution Johor Branch
- Maju
- Nesa
- North South Initiative
- Pertubuhan Muafakat Sabah
- Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia (Proham)
- Projek Wawasan Rakyat (POWR)
- Pusat Komas
- Pusat Sekitar Seni (PSS)
- Sabah Reform Initiative (Sari)
- Sisters in Islam
- Student Progressive Front UUM
- Suaram
- Umany
- Undi Sabah
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
