Suhakam condemns ‘provocative’ Red Shirts Rally

The participants flaunted racially-charged placards and uttered slogans that promoted racial and religious hatred.

KUALA LUMPUR: Suhakam, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, has expressed regret that the Red Shirts Rally had become anything but peaceful at one point when participants pushed past police lines in a bid to reach certain parts of Kuala Lumpur that the organisers had accepted would be off limits.

“The Commission is also perturbed by the irresponsible and confrontational actions of several participants for inciting lawless and disorderly behaviour,” said Suhakam Chairman Hasmy Agam in a statement which commended the police at the same time for exercising restraint and managing the situation. “The participants flaunted racially-charged placards and uttered slogans that promoted racial and religious hatred.”

“This is a multi-religious and secular society.”

Such behaviour, he added, constitutes the intentional provocation of violence. “It cannot be condoned and must be appropriately dealt with.”

“The Commission reiterates that advocacy of racial and religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence is prohibited by law.”

Hasmy went on to caution that protest demonstrations and public assemblies must be peaceful and orderly in order to be protected by international human rights law. “We reiterate that there should be no disorderly conduct at any stage during a peaceful assembly. Otherwise, protection can be forfeited.”

Hasmy conceded that for democracy to flourish, people must be guaranteed their fundamental rights, including the right to freedom of expression and of assembly, as a means to influence, among others, public policies. “However, the right to peaceful assembly was not an excuse to perpetrate violence.”

“It would only make a mockery of the concept of peaceful assembly.”