Hakam condemns 'reprisals' over police brutality claim

 

National Human Rights Society (Hakam) has condemned what it described as reprisal action by cops over claims of police brutality.

This was after police raided the Freedom Film Network’s (FFN) office in Petaling Jaya and a cartoonist’s home for producing a short animation film about police brutality.

The short film was based on the experiences of a 16-year-old teenager whose case was handled by Suaram.

Hakam president Gurdial Singh Nijar the short film should have prompted cops to investigate police’s conduct.

“Instead they raided the office of the FFN and the home of the cartoonist Amin Landak and hauled the network’s producer, Anna Har, and Amin for police ‘investigations’.

“This is intimidation and persecution of persons who blow the whistle on unlawful conduct.

“Hakam condemns such reprisals. Especially in the context of an increase in custodial deaths, some of which have been proved to be the result of police brutality and torture,” Gurdial said.

Gurdial, a constitutional expert, said it was about time the police were educated about the fundamental values of a democratic society functioning under the rule of law.

He added that they should also be held accountable for violating the constitutional right to freedom of expression, speech and liberty.

“Unless we address human rights violations of torture as depicted in the film, our country will be soon ranked amongst those countries that defile with impunity human rights, good governance, accountability and transparency.

“It is for this reason that Hakam reiterates its call for the formation of the long-delayed independent police complaints of misconduct commission (IPCMC), which will safeguard police wellbeing and enhance police professionalism and accountability,” he said. - Mkini