The
Malaysian Bar calls on the Government — Polis DiRaja Malaysia (“PDRM”)
and Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (“DBKL”) in particular — to cooperate
with the organisers of the upcoming BERSIH 3.0 assembly in order to
facilitate a peaceful gathering this Saturday, 28 April 2012.
We
reiterate that we support and defend the principle of any individual or
group’s fundamental freedom to speak, assemble or walk in order to
publicly and openly promote and publicise a cause, if that freedom is
exercised responsibly and peacefully. The right to gather and to speak
is not fully respected if it is shunted into the confines of a stadium.
PDRM
has demonstrated on various occasions in the past four months, and even
prior to that, that it can work with organisers of public assemblies to
monitor routes and manage traffic flows to allow participants to walk,
and openly and outwardly express their viewpoints to members of the
public, in safety. We commend these positive and salutary examples.
It is thus evident that, with proper liaising and cooperation, it is
possible for PDRM and the organisers of the BERSIH 3.0 event, and any
other events, to work together to allow for the public to exercise their
fundamental rights in a peaceful and responsible manner.
This
occurs regularly in more mature democracies, and it has happened in
Malaysia. We urge the Government to take measures to allow, and
encourage, such practices to continue. Let us take this opportunity to
promote, enhance and celebrate democracy.
From lessons
observed worldwide, it is clear that the voice of the people cannot be
silenced. Our Government (and this includes the Government-appointed
DBKL leadership) ignores the wishes and resolve of the people at its
peril, and should, instead, rise to the occasion, to embrace and protect
its people’s freedoms and rights consistent with a true democracy.
Only then can we have a world-class democracy practising
internationally-accepted human rights standards and respected by all.
The Malaysian Bar therefore calls on PDRM to permit all
walks and public assemblies, and the activities leading up to them, to
take place peacefully and with minimal intrusion and disruption, while
ensuring public order and protecting the safety of all participants.
Bar
Council will send a team to monitor events on the ground on Saturday.
In addition, a team from the Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (Kuala
Lumpur), led by the following lawyers, will provide legal assistance in
the event of arrests:
(1) Rajesweri Paramasevam (012-275 1660)(2) Lim Chi Chau (016-228 8142)(3) Adora Yusof (019-317 8347)
Lim Chee Wee
President
Malaysian Bar
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