Human Rights Watch backs Bar Council march

The international human rights body also calls for an immediate withdrawal of the Peaceful Assembly Bill.

PETALING JAYA: The Bar Council’s walk of protest against the controversial Peaceful Assembly Bill has received international backing from the Human Rights Watch (HRW).

The Bill which was tabled last Tuesday will be debated in Parliament today and is expected to be voted on today.

The Bill has been slammed by the opposition and various civil society groups as being even more repressive than the Section 27 of the Police Act which it is meant to replace.

At 11.30am today Bar Council members and supporters will begin their march from Lake Gardens Park to Parliament where they will submit a draft copy of an alternative proposal.

In a show of support, HRW has written a letter to prime minister, Najib Tun Razak, urging for the march to be allowed to proceed without disturbance from police.

“Malaysia’s lawyers are marching out of real concerns that Malaysians’ freedoms of peaceful assembly and association are under threat from the proposed law,” said HRW deputy Asia director, Phil Roberson in a statement today.

“They have serious proposals to amend the law and the government should give them a serious hearing.”

In its letter to Najib, HRW also raised concerns about the Bill’s blanket prohibition against “assemblies in motion,” such as marches and processions.

Other concerns raised include “overly broad authority” for local police officials to regulate and disperse assemblies, an extensive list of prohibited places and a ban on participation by children below 15 years and non-citizens.

HRW further noted the “undue haste” with which the Bill is being propelled through parliament and the “lack of meaningful consultation” with civil society before it was introduced.

“The Malaysian government should withdraw the draft law immediately and refer it to a Parliamentary Select Committee where stakeholders can have an opportunity to express their views on the measure,” Robertson stated.

“The government has yet to explain why it is rushing to pass a law that so many Malaysian groups are saying is seriously flawed. Najib should take the time to listen to all sides in this critical debate, starting with the Bar Council.”