Human rights lawyer Eric Paulsen has slammed the government for allowing red shirts participants to attack Bersih 5 convoy since its launch last Saturday.
He said the red shirts supporters are out to harass and stop the 'peaceful' Bersih.
"Absurd to compare Bersih and red shirts. State is abdicating its duty to the constitution if (it) allows hooligans to dictate civil liberties.
"If red shirts want to hold their event separately and peacefully, by all means, go ahead. Don't harass other people's event.
"Having a low or high out is not a reason for the state to dictate freedom of assembly. Issue is whether it is peaceful," he tweeted today.
Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunus, who vowed to hold red shirts rally simultaneously with Bersih 5 rally on Nov 19 in Kuala Lumpur, has mobilised his supporters to gather at the Bersih 5 torch and convoy events.
On Saturday, red shirts and yellow-clad Bersih supporters physically clashed for the first time in Teluk Intan, after Jamal tried to grab a banner from Bersih participants whom he confronted.
Few commotions and clashes were also reported in the northern region.
Bersih's seven-week convoy was launched simultaneously from six locations.
The convoy will make its way across 246 cities, towns and villages, with various activities being held at the areas they pass along the way.
The goal, according to Bersih, is to strike up a national conversation on issues linked to state-investor 1MDB and calls for the removal of Najib. -Mkini
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