SEVERAL Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and individuals have expressed their concern over the arrest of 31 people for holding a peaceful ‘candlelight vigil’ and memorial service at Dataran Merdeka last night (Aug 19) in memory of the 13,000 people who died of COVID-19 in Malaysia.
The participants were exercising their right to peaceful assembly and they should not be intimidated and arrested for exercising this right, they said in a statement.
“The vigil was held in a large outdoor space which allowed for sufficient distancing between participants.
“Physical distancing and mask wearing were strictly observed by everyone present at the vigil. While restrictions on large gatherings may be imposed due to public health concerns, they must be necessary and proportionate to the aim that they intend to achieve.”
They further pointed out that it was completely unnecessary, disproportionate and a violation of participants’ rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression to arrest them and to cart them away in Black Marias.
According to the statement, the police had reportedly failed to inform participants that they were being arrested, nor were their rights read to them.
“Police officers also reportedly dragged two women against their will to the vehicles.
“By putting participants in Black Maria vehicles, the authorities were forcing them together into a confined space.
“If they were truly concerned about public health, they would allow the participants to complete their vigil in the large outdoor space that they were in and let them peacefully disperse.”
The rally was organised by Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat (SSR), the same group that organised the #Lawan rally last month.
Among those who are currently in police custody are #Lawan organiser Mohammad Asraf Sharaf, Undi18 co-founder Qyira Yusri and Misi Solidariti founder, Sarah Irdina Mohamad Ariff.
The 17 men and 14 women were however released in the wee hours of the morning, each slapped with RM2,000 compounds – totalling RM62,000 – for violating regulations preventing demonstrations during the pandemic.
The statement was undersigned by 42 CSOs and individuals, including All Women’s Action Society (AWAM), Amnesty International Malaysia, BERSIH 2.0, Justice for Sisters, Sisters in Islam, Dato’ Amiga Sreenevasan and Ivy Josiah. – Aug 20, 2021.
