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Call On The Malaysian Human Rights Commission To Investigate The Detention Of Four Keadilan Leaders And 46 Others Speech by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong during the debate in Parliament on the motion by Opposition Leader DatukFadzil Nor under the Standing Order No. 18 on 18 April 2000 | |||||||
| In a parliamentary democracy, all activities must be peaceful and there is no place for violence. We must avoid riots. Today, we are debating the rights to peaceful assembly and free speech as enshrined in basic human rights. If people would like to assemble peacefully, would the police be prepared to give the permit? As long as an assembly does not jeopardise the society and destroy the country, people should be given chances to assemble and to speak. Before 14 April 2000, the anniversary of the former Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim's sentencing to imprisonment, it was possible that the police and the Government had gathered information from its intelligence. The Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir and his deputy Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had, through the police banned the assembly and warned against anybody taking part in it. Four Keadilan ( Justice Party) leaders and 46 others were detained on 14 and 15 April 2000. Does it mean that the Government actually knew that these people were going to resort to violence or rioting during the assembly? The Prime Minister said,"Whoever also should understand that it is | |
wrong to have demonstration and the Government has repeatedly warned about it. "If you feel that you have the right to demonstrate, the Government also should carry out its duty and responsibility." The Deputy Home Minister Dato' Zainal Abidin Zain stressed that the detention was to safeguard national peace, not politically motivated. The Prime Minister then thanked the people for not taking part in the assembly. The warning, the detention and other police actions and the expression of thanks can be construed as politically motivated. If the Merdeka (Independence) Square or places around Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur, is regarded as unsuitable, is the police willing to allow them to meet at other places such as the National Stadium at Bukit Jalil or Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur. Was the behaviour of those who have been detained outrageous? Or, were the attitude and action of the police consistent with the ethics and procedures accepted by the public? The Malaysian Human Rights Commission, headed by Tan Sri Musa Hitam, should investigate the incident as a first task in discharging its duties and obligations.
Dr Tan Seng Giaw | |||||
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