Black Day for Human Rights in Malaysia

Today 10 December 2007 is the United Nations World Human Rights Day but in Malaysia the government has made a mockery of this important day by showing its utter disrespect for the rights of its citizens by carrying out a string of arrests.

8 people were arrested on 9 December 2007 when about 100 people attempted to walk towards the Central Market in Kuala Lumput to join the “Festival of Rights” event to be held in the Malaysian Bar building. The Central Market was the original venue for the event but organisers were forced to moved it to the Malaysian Bar building when police insisted that a permit is required to hold the event at the Central Market. The arrests were made despite the police allowing the walk to proceed initially and despite the group agreeing to disperse when told by the police to do so before reaching their destination.

Among the arrested persons are 5 lawyers. One of them, Amir Hamzah Arshad, is the deputy chairperson of the Bar Council's Human Rights Committee. The chairperson of the same committee, Edmund Bon, was also arrested in a related incident at the Malaysian Bar building where the “Festival of Rights” was to be held. He was arrested for allegedly preventing some City Hall workers from removing posters put up for the event.

In addition, the police has also arrested 12 other persons in relation to the BERSIH rally held a month ago on 10 November 2007. These arrests were carried out in various states and include Tian Chua who was arrested outside the human rights organisation Suaram’s office in Johor Baru and PAS leader Mohamad Sabu who was arrested in Ipoh on his way to attend his daughter's wedding.

Another opposition leader, N Gobalakrishnan, was also reported be charged as the 32nd person involved in the attempted murder case related to the Hindraf rally held on 25 Nov 2007. Earlier 31 persons alleged to be involved in the Hindraf rally were charged with attempted murder when a policeman was injured in the rally.

It seems clear to many Malaysians that these arrests are made to intimidate and to silence dissenting voices which has been growing louder in recent days due to the many unresolved issues related to the judiciary, corruption, unfair elections and minority rights.



Human rights day celebration more of a wake
(courtesy of Malaysiakini)