Government should walk the talk in its pledges on human rights


THE Society for Promotion of Human Rights (PROHAM) is disappointed with the ongoing intimidation of activists expressing concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic and political situation in the country.  

Using the Sedition Act, yesterday’s detention of 20-year-old activist Sarah Irdina Mohammad Ariff, part of the #Lawan campaign, is an overreach. The Sedition Act is incompatible with the right to freedom of expression and has no place in a free and democratic society. 
 
Globally, Malaysia has pledged its commitment to protecting human rights in various documents, including the recent Voluntary National Report (VNR) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Malaysia’s bid to be elected as a member of the Human Rights Council for the term 2022-2024.

We quote from the pledge, “Malaysia’s bid to be elected as a member of the Human Rights Council for the term 2022-2024 reflects the country’s determination to continue to make progress in its efforts to protect and promote human rights, both domestically and internationally”. 
 
Unfortunately, the reality on the ground is not as what the government has pledged. In recent weeks, we witnessed numerous arrests made to activists, and this has severely curtailed the civic space that a government has a duty to protect.
 
PROHAM would like to remind the government that human rights practice should start from home. If we cannot protect our civic space, it is embarrassing and hypocritical for us to laud human rights pledges at the international level.
 
With this, PROHAM expresses its support for Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat (SSR). These young activists have a right to protest, a right to express and a right to assemble. We call on the authorities to stop the intimidation of activists as freedom of expression and assembly, including the freedom to be critical, should be protected and guaranteed under all circumstances.
 
Issued on behalf of PROHAM by,
 
Tan Sri Dr Michael Yeoh, Chair
Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, Deputy Chair
Dr Khoo Ying Hooi, Secretary-General
Ivy Josiah, Member

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.


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