At least 22 human rights defenders and residents were arrested during recent demolition operations in Kampung Papan
Responding to this, Amnesty International Malaysia’s campaigner, Qistina Johari, said: “Activists should not be dragged into police stations for peacefully protesting the demolition of Kampung Papan residents’ homes.
“Seeing people who stand up for the rights of others being pinned down, handcuffed and hauled away speaks volumes about the appalling state of the right to protest in Malaysia.
“The Royal Malaysia Police have a duty to keep people safe, not punish human rights defenders and residents who speak up. The Madani government cannot claim to support peaceful assembly while arresting, harassing, and intimidating those who practise it,” she said.
“Arrests of peaceful protesters only deepen the harm already felt by the affected residents and is not the conduct of a country that claims to champion human rights. As Asean chair, Malaysia should be setting the standard, not silencing the people defending basic freedoms.
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“Amnesty International Malaysia urges the authorities to immediately halt any further arrests and drop all investigations against human rights defenders and residents opposing the demolitions,” Qistina added.
On 11 November, demolition operations commenced in Kampung Papan, in Pandamaran, Klang with authorities tearing down 20 homes.
This action contradicted prior assurances on 23 October by the Selangor government that only vacant houses would be demolished.
Residents, many of whom still occupied their homes, protested the demolitions.
On 12 November, during the demolition, a resident of Kampung Papan and two other activists – M Mythreyar and PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan – were arrested.
The arrests were made under Section 186 of the Penal Code for allegedly obstructing public officers during the eviction process. The three activists were remanded for a day and were later released on bail.
On 13 November, police detained another 10 individuals – including eight activists from PSM and Mandiri and two residents – as the demolition continued.
The Klang Magistrates’ Court rejected the police’s application to remand the detainees, and they were subsequently released.
On 14 November, at least nine more people, including residents and human rights defenders from Suaram and PSM, were arrested while monitoring, recording or peacefully supporting affected residents.
These arrests were also made under Section 186 of the Penal Code for “obstructing a public servant”. At the time of publication, all nine of them were reported to have been released. – Amnesty
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