Latest news with #freedomofassembly
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Free speech activist groups slam ‘excessive force' by police against plantation workers protesting outside Parliament
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 — Civil groups Article 19 and the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) have today condemned what they described as excessive force by police against peaceful protesters outside Parliament yesterday. In a joint statement, the groups urged the police against obstructing the right to freedom of assembly and to instead facilitate the public's right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution. 'Parliament is not a prohibited location for peaceful assemblies and the police must allow such gatherings to take place without unwarranted interference,' said Nalini Elumalai, Senior Malaysia Programme Officer of human rights group Article 19. Nalini had accused authorities of using unnecessary force to block individuals who were seeking to reach their representatives, to call for a decent housing scheme law for the plantation workers. 'According to international human rights standards, peaceful assemblies are permitted in public spaces and should be within sight and sound of their intended audience, particularly lawmakers, to effectively convey their messages. 'Any restrictions must meet the three part-test of legality, legitimate aim, proportionality and necessity,' she added. The clashes occurred yesterday when police allegedly attempted to physically block plantation workers and activists from marching to Parliament to call for new legislation protecting workers from forced evictions. Hundreds of plantation workers had gathered at Taman Tugu before marching to Parliament to submit a memorandum urging laws to require alternative housing for workers if estates are repurposed. Although the memorandum was handed to both government and opposition MPs, protesters were initially met with a police blockade that caused a scuffle, during which Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) deputy chairperson S. Arutchelvan fell to the ground. Police later claimed an officer was injured by protesters, and said Arutchelvan is being investigated under Section 353 of the Penal Code for allegedly using criminal force to deter a public servant. 'The right to peaceful assembly is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim came to power on a promise of institutional and democratic transformation,' said CIJ executive director Wathshlah Naidu. '[This] incident highlights the urgent need to accelerate the pace of these commitments, which must include not only a review of laws that restrict freedom of expression, but also ensure that law enforcement officers are adequately trained to respect and protect peaceful protesters.'
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Free speech activists slam ‘excessive force' by police against plantation workers protesting outside Parliament
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 — Civil groups Article 19 and the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) have today condemned what they described as excessive force by police against peaceful protesters outside Parliament yesterday. In a joint statement, the groups urged the police against obstructing the right to freedom of assembly and to instead facilitate the public's right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution. 'Parliament is not a prohibited location for peaceful assemblies and the police must allow such gatherings to take place without unwarranted interference,' said Nalini Elumalai, Senior Malaysia Programme Officer of human rights group Article 19. Nalini had accused authorities of using unnecessary force to block individuals who were seeking to reach their representatives, to call for a decent housing scheme law for the plantation workers. 'According to international human rights standards, peaceful assemblies are permitted in public spaces and should be within sight and sound of their intended audience, particularly lawmakers, to effectively convey their messages. 'Any restrictions must meet the three part-test of legality, legitimate aim, proportionality and necessity,' she added. The clashes occurred yesterday when police allegedly attempted to physically block plantation workers and activists from marching to Parliament to call for new legislation protecting workers from forced evictions. Hundreds of plantation workers had gathered at Taman Tugu before marching to Parliament to submit a memorandum urging laws to require alternative housing for workers if estates are repurposed. Although the memorandum was handed to both government and opposition MPs, protesters were initially met with a police blockade that caused a scuffle, during which Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) deputy chairperson S. Arutchelvan fell to the ground. Police later claimed an officer was injured by protesters, and said Arutchelvan is being investigated under Section 353 of the Penal Code for allegedly using criminal force to deter a public servant. 'The right to peaceful assembly is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim came to power on a promise of institutional and democratic transformation,' said CIJ executive director Wathshlah Naidu. '[This] incident highlights the urgent need to accelerate the pace of these commitments, which must include not only a review of laws that restrict freedom of expression, but also ensure that law enforcement officers are adequately trained to respect and protect peaceful protesters.'
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Free speech activist groups slam ‘excessive force' by police against plantation workers protesting outside Parliament
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 — Civil groups Article 19 and the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) have today condemned what they described as excessive force by police against peaceful protesters outside Parliament yesterday. In a joint statement, the groups urged the police against obstructing the right to freedom of assembly and to instead facilitate the public's right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution. 'Parliament is not a prohibited location for peaceful assemblies and the police must allow such gatherings to take place without unwarranted interference,' said Nalini Elumalai, Senior Malaysia Programme Officer of human rights group Article 19. Nalini had accused authorities of using unnecessary force to block individuals who were seeking to reach their representatives, to call for a decent housing scheme law for the plantation workers. 'According to international human rights standards, peaceful assemblies are permitted in public spaces and should be within sight and sound of their intended audience, particularly lawmakers, to effectively convey their messages. 'Any restrictions must meet the three part-test of legality, legitimate aim, proportionality and necessity,' she added. The clashes occurred yesterday when police allegedly attempted to physically block plantation workers and activists from marching to Parliament to call for new legislation protecting workers from forced evictions. Hundreds of plantation workers had gathered at Taman Tugu before marching to Parliament to submit a memorandum urging laws to require alternative housing for workers if estates are repurposed. Although the memorandum was handed to both government and opposition MPs, protesters were initially met with a police blockade that caused a scuffle, during which Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) deputy chairperson S. Arutchelvan fell to the ground. Police later claimed an officer was injured by protesters, and said Arutchelvan is being investigated under Section 353 of the Penal Code for allegedly using criminal force to deter a public servant. 'The right to peaceful assembly is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim came to power on a promise of institutional and democratic transformation,' said CIJ executive director Wathshlah Naidu. '[This] incident highlights the urgent need to accelerate the pace of these commitments, which must include not only a review of laws that restrict freedom of expression, but also ensure that law enforcement officers are adequately trained to respect and protect peaceful protesters.'
Free Malaysia Today
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Lawyer moots designated areas for peaceful assemblies
Lawyer Andrew Khoo said peaceful assemblies should be allowed and that the police should facilitate them as required by law. PETALING JAYA : A lawyer has proposed that the government designate areas for peaceful assemblies nationwide, following the Federal Court's decision yesterday that the penalty for failing to notify the police of proposed rallies is unconstitutional. Andrew Khoo, a former co-chair of the Bar Council's constitutional law committee, said the decision of the apex court affirmed the freedom to peacefully assemble. 'After 13 years of the coming into force of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, it is well past due for the state and federal governments to designate convenient and easily accessible places in every town and city in the country to hold peaceful assemblies,' he said in a statement. Khoo added that the proposed 'maidan' or public squares should be places where the voice of the people is heard, not feared. 'Maidan' is a term of Persian origin referring to designated open spaces where the public can gather and exercise their right to assemble. Khoo said peaceful assemblies should be allowed, and that the police should facilitate them as required by law. 'The proper legal recourse lies in the Penal Code for any violation of peace and order by the organisers or participants of the assembly,' he said. The Federal Court had unanimously ruled that it is unconstitutional to criminalise the failure to notify the police five days in advance of holding a peaceful assembly. Outgoing Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, delivering the decision of a five-member panel, said Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 imposes a punishment that exceeds the limits permitted under Article 10(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution. Article 10(1)(b) guarantees the freedom of speech, assembly, and association. She said the section was 'a disproportionate intervention' and amounted to a prohibition rather than a restriction of that right. The decision stemmed from a constitutional challenge brought by former Muda secretary-general Amir Hadi, who was charged in 2022 with failing to give the police five days' notice before organising a protest outside the Sogo shopping complex in Kuala Lumpur. Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said yesterday that his ministry would examine the Federal Court's ruling. The ministry is expected to table an amendment to Section 11 of the Act, which requires organisers of assemblies to obtain the consent of the location's owner or occupier, at the next parliamentary sitting.
Free Malaysia Today
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
DBKL ticked off for being unreasonable over Dataran Merdeka events
The National Youth Federation of Malaysia accused the city authorities of disrupting a peaceful book-reading and discussion event at Dataran Merdeka last Sunday. PETALING JAYA : A requirement by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for all gatherings at Dataran Merdeka to A requirement by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for all gatherings at Dataran Merdeka to obtain official approval has been described as unreasonable and an example of selective enforcement. A human rights activist, lawyer P Rajsurian, said a recent peaceful book-reading and discussion session which was disrupted by enforcement officers could have qualified as a social activity permitted under the bylaw cited by city hall. He said DBKL's enforcement seemed selective as many other social activities were allowed to go on undisturbed. 'If you go to Dataran Merdeka, especially on weekends, you will see many people engaging in social events like picnicking without being disturbed,' he told FMT. 'Do those who picnic now need to obtain permits as well?' Rajsurian also said the disruption raises serious concerns about how the authorities interpret the constitutional rights on freedom of movement, speech, and assembly. On Tuesday, DBKL said that all events at Dataran Merdeka, regardless of nature, require the mayor's prior approval, citing a city by-law which prohibits speeches, demonstrations, campaigns, or political and social activities without a permit. Events involving public assemblies must also obtain police approval. DBKL's statement came after the National Youth Federation of Malaysia claimed that a peaceful book-reading and discussion event at Dataran Merdeka was disrupted last Saturday. Nalini Elumalai, a senior programme officer with Article 19 Malaysia, said the latest incident showed a continuing intolerance toward freedom of expression. She called for open dialogue on the issue. 'The government should recognise and respect Dataran Merdeka as a legitimate venue for public gatherings and discussions, ensuring it is afforded the same level of access as any other public space in the country,' she said.
