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)