Stop harassing civil society groups, DAP MP chides cops
Published: Feb 12, 2025 4:42 PM
Updated: Feb 13, 2025 12:48 AM
Summary
- DAP MP Lim Lip Eng condemns the brief arrest of Suaram’s Sevan Doraisamy while he was highlighting detainees’ plight, urging police to engage constructively with civil society.
- PSM’s S Arutchelvan labels the incident a human rights violation, arguing police overstepped by arresting and questioning Sevan.
- Bersih criticises the arrest as part of a trend of intimidation undermining Malaysia’s democratic space, while Pusat Komas says it sets a dangerous precedent.
DAP MP Lim Lip Eng has condemned the police for briefly arresting Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy earlier today.
“Suaram has long been at the forefront of advocating for justice, transparency, and accountability in Malaysia.
“Rather than harassing civil society groups, enforcement agencies should engage them constructively to enhance the country’s human rights landscape,” he said in a statement today.
Earlier, the police arrested Sevan for allegedly entering the Home Ministry headquarters in Putrajaya on Feb 10 without a pass.
However, he was released about an hour later after questioning.
According to a press alert the human rights group sent out, this was over an incident where Sevan and Suaram programme manager Azura Nasron were accompanying family members of 32 detainees under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).
“Suaram has long been at the forefront of advocating for justice, transparency, and accountability in Malaysia.
“Rather than harassing civil society groups, enforcement agencies should engage them constructively to enhance the country’s human rights landscape,” he said in a statement today.
Earlier, the police arrested Sevan for allegedly entering the Home Ministry headquarters in Putrajaya on Feb 10 without a pass.
However, he was released about an hour later after questioning.
According to a press alert the human rights group sent out, this was over an incident where Sevan and Suaram programme manager Azura Nasron were accompanying family members of 32 detainees under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).
Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy
They were there to meet Home Ministry representatives to highlight the detainees’ plight, who are currently on hunger strike.
On that note, Lim urged the authorities to cease all forms of harassment against human rights activists.
The Kepong lawmaker added that law enforcement agencies must focus on their fundamental duty to protect the people and uphold justice, rather than suppressing those advocating for Malaysians’ rights.
“The government must ensure that enforcement agencies act professionally and in accordance with the rule of law, rather than resorting to oppressive measures that damage Malaysia’s international reputation,” he stressed.
Human rights violation
PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan also criticised the police over the matter and called it a form of human rights violation.
“Their action in arresting Sevan and later releasing him after recording his statement is uncalled for and is a form of human rights violation.
They were there to meet Home Ministry representatives to highlight the detainees’ plight, who are currently on hunger strike.
On that note, Lim urged the authorities to cease all forms of harassment against human rights activists.
The Kepong lawmaker added that law enforcement agencies must focus on their fundamental duty to protect the people and uphold justice, rather than suppressing those advocating for Malaysians’ rights.
“The government must ensure that enforcement agencies act professionally and in accordance with the rule of law, rather than resorting to oppressive measures that damage Malaysia’s international reputation,” he stressed.
Human rights violation
PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan also criticised the police over the matter and called it a form of human rights violation.
“Their action in arresting Sevan and later releasing him after recording his statement is uncalled for and is a form of human rights violation.
PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan
“The police, under the law, can record statements anywhere... in office, house etc. So, it is not necessary to bring Sevan to the police station in the first place,” he said in a statement.
Arutchelvan then attributed the entire fiasco to the Home Ministry’s failure to allow the family members of the Sosma detainees to meet the ministry’s officials to highlight their grouses.
“We were made to understand by the families that the Home Ministry gave the Sosma detainees’ family an appointment to meet them on Monday and this prompted them to call off the hunger strike on Sunday.
“So, the whole incident is a public relations failure of the Madani government in engaging the families and showing they are different from the previous administrations,” he added.
The electoral reform group Bersih said the arrest continues a worrying trend of shrinking democratic spaces.
It noted that Suaram had waited two-and-half hours outside the Home Ministry’s headquarters for its promised appointment only to be neglected and now face intimidation, while a group of activists gathered outside the Wangsa Maju police headquarters on Feb 6 to show solidarity for a fellow activist also faced questioning.
“These add to a long list of authorities’ actions that have curtailed the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“Within just the past month, at least 25 activists for students, marginalised communities, and human rights defenders have faced intimidation from the police.
“The increase in cases of intimidation against activists show that democratic spaces are shrinking, and the Madani government that claims to be upholding fundamental rights is increasingly repeating the tyranny of past regimes,” Bersih said.
Respect civil society
Rights group Pusat Komas also criticised the police, calling their actions unacceptable and undermining fundamental freedoms in Malaysia.
“Pusat Komas stands in full solidarity with Suaram, Sevan, Azura, and all human rights defenders facing repression.
“The police, under the law, can record statements anywhere... in office, house etc. So, it is not necessary to bring Sevan to the police station in the first place,” he said in a statement.
Arutchelvan then attributed the entire fiasco to the Home Ministry’s failure to allow the family members of the Sosma detainees to meet the ministry’s officials to highlight their grouses.
“We were made to understand by the families that the Home Ministry gave the Sosma detainees’ family an appointment to meet them on Monday and this prompted them to call off the hunger strike on Sunday.
“So, the whole incident is a public relations failure of the Madani government in engaging the families and showing they are different from the previous administrations,” he added.
The electoral reform group Bersih said the arrest continues a worrying trend of shrinking democratic spaces.
It noted that Suaram had waited two-and-half hours outside the Home Ministry’s headquarters for its promised appointment only to be neglected and now face intimidation, while a group of activists gathered outside the Wangsa Maju police headquarters on Feb 6 to show solidarity for a fellow activist also faced questioning.
“These add to a long list of authorities’ actions that have curtailed the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“Within just the past month, at least 25 activists for students, marginalised communities, and human rights defenders have faced intimidation from the police.
“The increase in cases of intimidation against activists show that democratic spaces are shrinking, and the Madani government that claims to be upholding fundamental rights is increasingly repeating the tyranny of past regimes,” Bersih said.
Respect civil society
Rights group Pusat Komas also criticised the police, calling their actions unacceptable and undermining fundamental freedoms in Malaysia.
“Pusat Komas stands in full solidarity with Suaram, Sevan, Azura, and all human rights defenders facing repression.
“Civil society’s work in advocating for justice and accountability must be respected, not criminalised.
“We reject intimidation tactics and reaffirm our commitment to defending human rights in Malaysia,” it said in a statement.
Pusat Komas also admonished the police for allegedly misleading Suaram over the matter.
“Despite being initially informed that they would only be served a Section 111 (of the Criminal Procedure Code) notice to provide statements, the police misled Suaram and arrested Sevan without just cause.
“Such actions set a dangerous precedent for civil society and reflect a disregard for democratic principles.”
No comments:
Post a Comment