CIVIL society organisations today called the police to drop investigations into the activist-producers of a short animated film on abuse in police custody.

The groups also asked for a halt to the intimidation of human rights campaigners by the authorities.

“Immediately and unconditionally drop all investigations and stop all acts of intimidation against all the civil society activists associated with the animated short film and lift all restrictions on the exercise of their human rights,” they wrote in an open letter.

The signatories of the letter were Civicus: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Asia Democracy Network, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia), Front Line and Witness

They urged the authorities to create a safe and enabling environment for activists, human rights defenders and other members of Malaysia civil society.

“Review all provisions that criminalise freedom of expression in the Penal Code, the Communications and Multimedia Act and other laws and bring them in line with international law and standards.

“This right is guaranteed in the Malaysian constitution as well as article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“Instead of targeting (the film producers), the authorities should rather focus on investigating the allegations of police abuse highlighted in the film,” they said.

The international and regional organisations also expressed disappointment that such actions were taken when Malaysia was seeking a seat on the UN Human Rights Council and had pledged to respect and protect human rights, including freedom of expression.

The four-minute film, entitled Chilli Powder and Thinner, is based on the testimony of a 16-year-old boy who was allegedly arrested and beaten up by police.

The film premiered at the recent Freedom Film Festival.

On July 2, Freedom Film Network co-founder Anna Har and cartoonist Amin Landak were called in by the police for questioning over the film.

Police raided FFN’s office and Amin’s home the same day and confiscated computers, modems, routers, pen drives, microphones and related equipment.

The two activists are under investigation for defamation, making statements that could cause public alarm and distress, and improper use of network facilities.

Two days ago, police summoned four activists from Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) and Misi Solidariti who were suspected of being involved in the making of the film.

“We believe these were aimed to intimidate them and to create a chilling effect for those who would like to speak up and expose abuses by the authorities.

“Further, the laws being used against them are extremely broad and vague and inconsistent with international law and standards,” they said. – July 8, 2021.