arifabdull

SUARAM’s Press Statement: 23 November 2007

___________&___________

Release 3 Arrested, Allow HINDRAF Rally

SUARAM strongly condemns the arrests of P. Uthayakumar, P Waythamoorthy and V Ganapathy Rao of the Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) under the Sedition Act ahead of their rally on Sunday.

The ground and the timing of the arrests testify to the bad faith on the part of the police. It is none other than another attempt by the police to intimidate and to prevent the organisers and the supporters of HINDRAF from exercising their right to freedom of peaceful assembly and the right to freedom of expression.

The arrests are violations to the right to personal liberty as guaranteed under Article 5(1) of the Federal Constitution and Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The restraining order under Section 98 of the Criminal Procedure Code on five lawyers of HINDRAF, namely Uthayakumar, Waythamoorthy, M Mahonaran, S Ganapathy, R Kengadharan, and all HINDRAF supporters, preventing them from participating in the rally on the grounds of nuisance is an insult to the plight of the largely poor Indian community.

SUARAM calls on the government to look into the issues of marginalisation and discrimination raised by HINDRAF seriously instead of arrogantly setting them aside as nuisance.

SUARAM also views with extreme alarm and strongly condemns the Inspector-General of Police (IGP)’s latest stern warning to the public not to bring “street protest culture” to the
country (New Straits Times, 23 November 2007, p. 8). He was saying this ahead of the proposed rally on 25 November 2007 organised by the HINDRAF.

Firstly, SUARAM would like to point out to the IGP that freedom of assembly is not an “imported culture” as suggested by the IGP. It is in fact, a universal and inherent right
which is enshrined in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution and Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

To make a statement that the notion of freedom of assembly should be curbed from creeping into our society clearly demonstrates the IGP’s lack of understanding of the law and his high disregard for basic human rights standards. It is pertinent to point out that even the currently ruling-United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) had held demonstrations against the proposed Malayan Union way back in 1946. Clearly, the IGP’s assertion that freedom of assembly is an “imported culture” is unfounded, to say the least.

Secondly, SUARAM strongly refutes claims made by the IGP that demonstrations would jeopardise peace and stability of the country. We have clearly seen, the latest example being the massive November 10 rally for free and fair elections in Kuala Lumpur, that demonstrations can indeed be peaceful. In the November 10 rally, the demonstrators were largely peaceful, except when the police started using violence, including spraying
chemical-laced water and teargas, and beating up peaceful demonstrators and bystanders. Suffice to say, it is often the police, through their harsh and high-handed actions, which have caused chaos in otherwise peaceful demonstrations.

By holding roadblocks in the run-up to major demonstrations, the police have caused massive traffic jams, as seen in the November 10 rally and now the HINDRAF rally. It is clear that the police, instead of peaceful demonstrators, have caused more problems and hassle to the general public.

Thirdly, the IGP’s statement regarding certain quarters who are trying to “paint a picture that the nation is in chaos” is unwarranted. Again, the November 10 rally being the latest example, on the contrary, proves that the IGP was the one who tried to paint a picture that demonstrators had created chaos by saying that 245 people were arrested when in fact only 34 were recorded by SUARAM and lawyers monitoring on the ground during the rally.

SUARAM reiterates our strongest condemnation on the police’s scare tactics by sending out stern warnings of harsh action that will be taken against those who attended demonstrations. The police have also been setting up roadblocks in several major roads, reportedly to stop the upcoming HINDRAF rally.

We demand that the police and the government allow public assemblies and peaceful demonstrations without the application of double-standards, regardless of the issues raised. We also strongly urge the police to refrain from using force and intimidation to
crackdown on demonstrators, including those in the upcoming HINDRAF rally on 25
November.

SUARAM calls for the immediate and unconditional release of P. Uthayakumar, P Waythamoorthy and V Ganapathy Rao.

Tah Moon Hui

Coordinator

___________&___________

Related:

Three Hindraf leaders arrested – Malaysiakini

Hindraf chairperson arrested – breaking news

Hindraf legal adviser Uthayakumar arrested – Malaysiakini

Hindraf rally: Cops warn of ’stern action’ - Malaysiakini.tv

Restraining order on Hindraf supporters – Malaysiakini

Dismantle roadblocks, police told – Malaysiakini

Hindraf – a new force is born – analysis by Baradan Kuppusamy

As to show my solidarity

As seen in Malaysiakini

Latest: >> Three Hindraf leaders arrested

Hindraf chairperson arrested – breaking news

Hindraf legal adviser Uthayakumar arrested – Malaysiakini

Hindraf rally: Cops warn of ’stern action’ - Malaysiakini.tv

Restraining order on Hindraf supporters – Malaysiakini

Dismantle roadblocks, police told – Malaysiakini

Hindraf – a new force is born – analysis by Baradan Kuppusamy

_________&_________

As to show my solidarity

As seen in Malaysiakini

The Guide (Taken from Guidelines : 25Eleven Rally)

Number #1 rule : Never react when provoked. In fact, never react at all. You are just a guest at the rally.If anyone in the group keeps shouting, just ignore him and get away from that group, because the chance are most probably it’s the Police’s agent provocateur . So always keep high discipline, don’t think when you’re in a group of ten you are the King of the world. The police will always look for reasons, how small and piety it may be, to arrest you.

Number #2 rule : If you are a University students, or Civil servants, DO NOT, I repeat NEVER ever bring your matrix card or work pass along. If caught, that will be the end of you. DO NOT bring anything else than your IC and Driving license/passport. If you are caught, do not say you’re a student, say you’re some despatch rider, Mamak-shop cleaner or working somewhere.

Number #3 rule : ‘You are not there to attend the rally’. Anyone ask just say its your first time to KL and your looking at the KLCC area. Its just nearby. Give a big smile and as it is said, BUAT BODOH.

Number #4 rule : Never walk alone. Stay in big crowds. Listen and follow any instructions given, do not break away from the big group, if you do it will be easier to be caught! Hold hands to show solidarity and remain united.

Remember, you are there to witness the hand over of the memorandum to British embassy, nothing else. Its not a demonstration and its certainly not a place for you to show you are the King of the world. Never shout at other, chants of slogans are fine. Smile at the passers-by. Thank the security team, be it Police or anyone, for providing a safe journey! They are humans too. And please never ever provoke the Police force. You have been warned my dear!

Oh yes, if just in case police starts using the Water Canon. Bring small portion of salt and drinking water. The chemical in it will cause you to dehydrate, so take abit of salt (and, also lime) and wash of face. Better to have some wet cloth with you.

Your rights :

1. Police can stop and question you. Stay calm and just answer the questions if I were you. If the questions are intimidating, harrasing or suggestive in nature, stay silent. Police can stop and search your car. But can’t take any action if you don’t bring unlawful things like drugs, weapons etc. So be cool!
2. Police can’t simply confiscate anything from you. Unless provided it is harmful tools, like knife,any sharp objects. Mobile phones and laptops are not harmful tools, even though yes it can be used to update your blog or spread the news on the spot
3. If you are being searched. Ask politely from the police of their name, which police station they are based from, their ID. Remember the name and ID just in case. Police must inform you of what they are looking for. If they don’t do any of it, remind them they are against the law!
4. If you are caught and brought to the police station, be calm. Remember who and what they are doing.Answer basic questions like your name, IC etc. The rest wait for your lawyer. And never provoke the police or test their patience. Dude you are an Indian macha here, remember how many machas were killed under police custody, or was charged with some false charges. Yes, they can do that.
5. And remember every details, can be useful for further actions, or to be used in court/police report.
6. Have more? please add below…im not a Law student

More to do list (Thanks to Poobalan for the below list ) :

- be EARLY. malaysians are known to be latecomers. if the function is 10am, so be there by 9am to avoid traffic jams etc.
– dress appropriately -smart casual. portray yourself as intelligent, mature, educated and law-abiding citizen. less chance of harassment.
- clear your handphone memory so that can record using camera. the era of citizen media is upon us already. there’s too many source to effectively censor anything.
- obey traffic rules
– do not retaliate if provoked.
- use public transport. get down at ampang park LRT station and cross the jln tun razak and walk about 400 meters.
- bring cap/umbrella in case it rain (most likely will be raining)
– do not litter!
- remember the objective – to witness handover of memorandum. not to start a fight or shouting war.
- bring camera if you have one.
– bring drinking water.
- after witnessing handing over of memo, disperse peacefully. there’s no need to provoke anyone.

Fuh! Any more? feel free to add, and please, inform everyone to at least read this or pass the word around of their rights and what they should do.

Video ehsan Malaysiakini.tv di youtube

Cerita lanjut, sila baca;

- More allegations of judicial graft emerge

- My brother Dato V. Kanagalingam

- Police Report No 1

- Police Report No 2

- Mayday for Justice

- Crisis in the judiciary – and we thought we had seen it all!

Watch the latest Better Quality Video Clips (Visuals & Sound) on the Al Jazeera 101 East Forum on Bersih Rally, provided by multidimid.

PART 1 (8 mins)

.

PART 2 (9 mins 40s)