United Nation experts have criticised and expressed concern to the Malaysian government moves to harass and intimidate Bersih 2.0 co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan and the organisation calling for clean and fair elections.
They also stressed that they want to visit Malaysia to acquire first hand knowledge of the situation here.
Ambiga (left) and several of her steering committee members are alreadyfacing a suit filed by the government last month seeking damages of RM122,000 over the Bersih 3.0 protest.
The group of UN human rights experts as reported in its website have called on the Malaysian government and others to respect and protect the legitimate work by Bersih which is campaigning for reform of the electoral process with the 13th general election looming.
The UN independent experts on human rights defenders, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression have urged the authorities to protect Ambiga and other Bersih members, from acts of harassment and intimidation by various groups.
They noted that Ambiga has been a subject of credible threats against her life in the past months with some labelling her an enemy of the state and a traitor, for her advocacy of electoral reforms.
UN special rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Margaret Sekaggya said she is seriously concerned over such disturbing acts of harassment against Ambiga, who is being targetted because of her legitimate human rights activities in Malaysia.
"I urge the authorities to investigate thoroughly these allegations, hold the perpetrators accountable, and effectively protect Ambiga, and more generally, Bersih members," said Sekaggya, adding Ambiga and several of her steering committee, are being sued by the government.
Another rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of opinion, Maina Kiai notes holding assembly organisers liable for the alleged unlawful conduct of others is not compatible with standards governing the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, and has a detrimental effect on the exercise of that right.
Request visit to Malaysia
"I urge the Government of Malaysia to withdraw the complaint against her," said Kiai
The UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue, who has offered to come to Malaysia to investigate the clampdown by the authorities said the Malaysia government should fully guarantee the right to freedom of opinion and expression of those advocating for electoral reform.
"They should also ensure a safe and conducive environment for journalists and those monitoring and reporting on demonstrations. The rights to freedom of opinion, expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental pillars of democracy," stressed La Rue
Kiai and Sekaggya also adds that they would like to remind the Malaysian government of its requests to visit the country.
"We believe our visit will contribute to the realisation of the rights in question in accordance with international human rights standards," they emphasised.
The government has already turned down request from La Rue to visit the country.
They also stressed that they want to visit Malaysia to acquire first hand knowledge of the situation here.
Ambiga (left) and several of her steering committee members are alreadyfacing a suit filed by the government last month seeking damages of RM122,000 over the Bersih 3.0 protest.The group of UN human rights experts as reported in its website have called on the Malaysian government and others to respect and protect the legitimate work by Bersih which is campaigning for reform of the electoral process with the 13th general election looming.
The UN independent experts on human rights defenders, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression have urged the authorities to protect Ambiga and other Bersih members, from acts of harassment and intimidation by various groups.
They noted that Ambiga has been a subject of credible threats against her life in the past months with some labelling her an enemy of the state and a traitor, for her advocacy of electoral reforms.
UN special rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Margaret Sekaggya said she is seriously concerned over such disturbing acts of harassment against Ambiga, who is being targetted because of her legitimate human rights activities in Malaysia.
"I urge the authorities to investigate thoroughly these allegations, hold the perpetrators accountable, and effectively protect Ambiga, and more generally, Bersih members," said Sekaggya, adding Ambiga and several of her steering committee, are being sued by the government.
Another rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of opinion, Maina Kiai notes holding assembly organisers liable for the alleged unlawful conduct of others is not compatible with standards governing the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, and has a detrimental effect on the exercise of that right. Request visit to Malaysia
"I urge the Government of Malaysia to withdraw the complaint against her," said Kiai
The UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue, who has offered to come to Malaysia to investigate the clampdown by the authorities said the Malaysia government should fully guarantee the right to freedom of opinion and expression of those advocating for electoral reform.
"They should also ensure a safe and conducive environment for journalists and those monitoring and reporting on demonstrations. The rights to freedom of opinion, expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental pillars of democracy," stressed La Rue
Kiai and Sekaggya also adds that they would like to remind the Malaysian government of its requests to visit the country.
"We believe our visit will contribute to the realisation of the rights in question in accordance with international human rights standards," they emphasised.
The government has already turned down request from La Rue to visit the country.
He had been here previously, a day after the Bersih 2.0 rally and is well aware of the authorities' clampdown.In place of the UN requests, the government has formed a six- member panel led by former inspector-general of police Hanif Omar to look into the complaints.
The Malaysia Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has also decided to form a three- member panel to look into the police's high-handed human right violations.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.