Suaram demands immediate release of Rafizi, others

KUALA LUMPUR: Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) has demanded the immediate release of all activists and opposition leaders arrested and detained by the police. “The police must cease its crackdown against human rights and democracy,” said the NGO’s Executive Director Sevan Doraisamy in a statement. “Suaram strongly condemns the arrest of youth activists and political leaders in the past week and the threats issued by the Inspector-General of Police against opposition MPs.”

The Suaram statement referred in particular to several arrests, Shazni Murni and Shukri Kamarudin under the Sedition Act 1948, Muhammad Zhafran under Section 504 of the Penal Code; lawmaker Rafizi Ramli under the Official Secrets Act 1972; and lawmaker Chan Ming Kai under Section 186 of the Penal Code. “These can only be described as the start of a political crackdown against youth activists and political leaders.”

“There’s no legitimate justification for the arrests and the detention of these individuals.”

Recalling Malaysia’s support for the United Nations General Assembly’s resolution on the protection of human rights defenders, the NGO reminded the government and all associated agencies to remember the obligations that they had undertaken. “They should comply with the said resolution and take immediate steps to fulfill their obligations.”

The police, as the keeper of peace and security, should not be exercising their power for political reasons as they have in these cases, lamented Sevan.

Further, he added, MPs are elected representatives of the people and must be allowed to perform the duties expected of them. “These duties would naturally include the protection and promotion of their rights as MPs.”

“The protest against the treatment of a fellow parliamentarian and the show of solidarity expressed by opposition MPs should not and cannot be subjected to threats by the Inspector-General of Police.”

Threats issued against any MP in such a manner should be construed as threats to Parliamentary democracy as they posed direct and immediate threats to Parliament and lawmakers, continued the Suaram statement. “The Inspector-General of Police would do well to remember the role of the police.”

“He should put an end to the unnecessary interference with Parliamentary activities.”

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