SUARAM
MEMPERJUANGKAN HAK ASASI MANUSIA SUARA RAKYAT MALAYSIA WORKING TOWARDS HUMAN
RIGHTS
PRESS STATEMENT : 7 AUGUST 2000
FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY IS A RIGHT :
BADAWI CONTRADICTS WITH MERDEKA CONSTITUTION
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the government will not allow any form of
gathering outside the Kuala Lumpur High Court. He was reported to have said
that any form of gathering can lead to demonstration and riots.
SUARAM is disappointed that the Deputy Prime Minister and the Home Minister has
violated and taken away one of our fundamental human rights - the right to
assemble peacefully. Badawi's statement encourages the police to stop any
gathering since it is now presumed that all gatherings will ultimately lead to
riots.
SUARAM rejects this erosion of democratic rights as enshrined in the
constitution.
SUARAM demands that the police act professionally and carry out their duties
impartially. The police must be responsible to the rakyat and must at all times
respect the democratic rights of the people.
SUARAM calls upon the Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) to monitor the
judgement date without fear or favour. SUHAKAM is currently perhaps the only
body with some respect from the people to uphold human rights and democracy.
SUHAKAM should be allowed to monitor and investigate any human rights
violations independently. The repressive steps taken by the government to curb
human rights should not surprise the Commission. The Commission should continue
to be vocal on issues relating to human rights.
Tomorrow, the judgement date is not only on Anwar but on the Merdeka
Constitution and the right of people to assemble peacefully.
Released by :
S.Arutchelvan
Coordinator
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
add: 383, 1ST FLOOR, JALAN 5/59, PETALING GARDENS
46000 PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA
tel: 60-3-77843525 fax: 77843526
email: suaram@geocities.com website:http://www.suaram.org (temp. off site)