Suhakam targets police use of force

The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has registered disapproval of excessive force by the police, including the use teargas and chemical-laced water to disperse crowds.

It said more “proportionate and non-violent methods” should be applied.

Suhakam was reacting to incidents of violence against protestors during last Saturday’s anti-ISA rally in the streets of Kuala Lumpur,

It also expressed concern over the arrest of 44 minors during the protest, as they were unlawfully handcuffed, detained and held under remand with adult protesters in a police lock-up.

It said the government is obliged to “observe and protect the rights of the children in conflict with the law as stipulated under the Child Act 2001 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child”.

The minors arrested included 20 secondary school students and seven university students.

The commission also reiterated its stand on the right to peaceful assembly, while again urging the government to abolish the ISA.

It said the government should respect the right of the people to stage peaceful protests.

“Suhakam strongly urges the government to repeal the ISA due to its nature of detention without trial, which is clearly an infringement of the principles of human rights.”

However, Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said the ISA will not be abolished although there is a chance it will be “amended or even renamed to suit the present time”. / Mkini