UN News Center
7 June 2012 – United Nations independent experts today called on the
Malaysian Government to protect the members of a group of civil society
organizations campaigning for electoral process reform, who have been
the target of harassment and intimidation.
The members of the umbrella group Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections
(also known by the Malay name Bersih) have received threats because of
their advocacy work, which calls for reform of the electoral process
ahead of the country’s general election, set to take place in April next
year. The director of the organization, Ambiga Sreenevasan, has been
particularly threatened.
“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.”
Ms. Sekaggya was joined in her call by the Special Rapporteur on the
rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of opinion, Maina Kiai, and
the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to
freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue.
According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR), Ms. Sreenevasan has received credible threats against her life
in the past months, and 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 work with Bersih. Effigies of Ms. Sreenevasan have also
been set alight, and recently, she had to cancel her participation in a
public event because of fears for her safety.
In addition, Ms. Sreenevasan, along with other organizers from
Bersih, has been sued by the federal Government in relation to property
which was allegedly damaged during a rally organized by the coalition of
non-governmental organizations in 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,” said Special Rapporteur 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,” added
Special Rapporteur La Rue. “The rights to freedom of opinion,
expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental pillars of democracy.”
Mr. Kiai and Ms. Sekaggya also reminded the Government of their
requests to visit the country given the urgency of the situation.
Independent experts, or special rapporteurs, are appointed by the
Geneva-based Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a
country situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are
honorary and the experts are not United Nations staff, nor are they paid
for their work
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