GENEVA
(7 June 2012) – A group of United Nations human rights experts called
on the Government of Malaysia and other parties involved to respect and
protect the legitimate work of an umbrella group of NGOs campaigning for
reform of the electoral process in the lead-up to the general election,
scheduled to take place by April 2013.
The
UN independent experts on human rights defenders, freedom of peaceful
assembly and freedom of expression urged the authorities to protect
effectively one of the directors of the Coalition for Clean and Fair
Elections (Bersih), Ambiga Sreenevasan, and other Bersih members,
against acts of harassment and intimidation by various groups of
individuals.
Ms.
Sreenevasan has been the subject of credible threats against her life
in the past months. She has been labelled by various groups as an enemy
of the State and a traitor, who should be expelled from the country,
because of her advocacy work with Bersih calling for reform of the
electoral process. Effigies of Ms. Sreenevasan were also burned.
Recently she had to cancel her participation in a public event because
of fears for her safety.
“I
am seriously concerned by these disturbing acts of harassment against a
prominent woman human rights defender who is being targeted because of
her legitimate human rights activities in Malaysia,” said the UN Special
Rapporteur on human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya. “I urge the
authorities to investigate thoroughly these allegations, hold the
perpetrators accountable, and effectively protect Ms. Sreenevasan, and
more generally, Bersih members.”
“I
am seriously concerned by these disturbing acts of harassment against a
prominent woman human rights defender who is being targeted because of
her legitimate human rights activities in Malaysia,” said the UN Special
Rapporteur on human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya. “I urge the
authorities to investigate thoroughly these allegations, hold the
perpetrators accountable, and effectively protect Ms. Sreenevasan, and
more generally, Bersih members.”
In
addition, Ms. Sreenevasan, together with other organizers from the
Bersih Steering Committee, has been sued by the federal Government in
relation to property which was allegedly damaged during a rally
organized by the coalition last April.
“Holding
assembly organizers liable for the alleged unlawful conduct of others
is not compatible with standards governing the right to freedom of
peaceful assembly, and has a detrimental effect on the exercise of this
right,” stressed the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of
peaceful assembly and of opinion, Maina Kiai. “I urge the Government of
Malaysia to withdraw the complaint against her.”
“The
Government of Malaysia should fully guarantee the right to freedom of
opinion and expression of those advocating for electoral reform, and
should ensure a safe and conducive environment for journalists and those
monitoring and reporting on demonstrations”, emphasized the Special
Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of
opinion and expression, Frank La Rue. “The rights to freedom of opinion,
expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental pillars of democracy.”
“In
view of the urgency and recurrence of the situation,” Mr. Kiai and Ms.
Sekaggya added, “we would like to remind the Government of our requests
to visit the country, which we believe will contribute to the
realization of the rights in question in accordance with international
human rights standards.”
For further information and media requests, please contact Guillaume Pfeifflé
(+41 22 917 9384 / gpfeiffle@ohchr.org)
For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Xabier Celaya, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)
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