MORE PICS – Peacefully Hundreds of Opposition & NGOs Activists on streets again to Assert Rights of Peaceful Assembly; Handed Memo to Suhakam's 3 Reps

ABOVE & BELOW: The hundreds of Peaceful protesters in support of the Coalition to Defend Rights to Assemble in front of Suhakam headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut

Malaysiakini once again had the earliest report of this Right to peaceful protest. It further stated

"To further stress on the calls for the right to public gatherings, a peaceful assembly would be held this Saturday night at Dataran Merdeka to show solidarity for victims of the dreaded ISA"

MORE PICS – Peacefully Hundreds of Opposition & NGOs Activists Took to the streets again to Assert rights of Peaceful Assembly; Handed Memo to 3 Representatives of Suhakam
= == = == == = == ==

The Police seemed to have a change of heart and kept their distance and allow the Coalition to Defend Rights to Assemble, made the speeches, handed in a memorandum to Suhakam and dispersed themselves by noon. To the credits of the organiser S. Arutchelvan, it was done peacefully and orderly without much disruption to the flow of traffic.

Three Suhakam commissioners, Dr Denison Jayasooria, N Siva Subramariam and Asiah Abu Sama, were present to receive the memorandum. The big guns from PKR & PAS were prominently there together with the NGOs activists.

ABOVE: PKR Publicity Chief Tian Chua was with PAS Vice President Mohd Sabu (BELOW) addressing the supporters

= == = == == == = == == = == = =

Dec 19, 2007

M'sian activists on streets again to assert rights


ABOVE: Any protest will not be complete without Zorro and BELOW other supporters

= == == == == = == == == == == = == == = ===

ABOVE & BELOW: More supporters with the Banners

KUALA LUMPUR - HUNDREDS of activists took to the streets here on Wed-nesday to assert their right to protest following a recent crackdown on public demonstrations that led to dozens of arrests. Police used tear gas and water cannon and detained opposition leaders, on charges including illegal assembly and sedition after several banned street rallies infuriated the government last month.

ABOVE & BELOW: The Women's Power is clearly evident in this Rights to Assemble Protest

Five leaders of an ethnic Indian rights group Hindraf, that led some of the street demonstrations, are being held under Malaysia's tough Internal Security Act which allows indefinite detention without trial.

ABOVE & BELOW: The Women's Power is clearly evident in this Rights to Assemble Protest

'This right to assemble is very fundamental,' rights group leader and organiser S. Arutchelvan told reporters at Wednesday's demonstration. 'We want to go all out to protect this right because once you curb the right to freedom of assembly, then society goes downhill,' he added. Mr Arutchelvan, who is a leader of the opposition Malaysian Socialist Party, led the rally outside the Human Rights Commission here before submitting a memorandum demanding the right to assemble to the state-backed rights body.

ABOVE & BELOW: Up with the placards to show the message - Right to Assemble is enshrined in the Constitution

At least 200 supporters turned up for the rally which was watched closely by police, who did not break-up the gathering. Last week, police arrested several lawyers and supporters who took part in a UN Human Rights Day walk highlighting the right to assemble. 'If any event is seen as a dissenting voice then it is immediately stopped,' Latheefa Koya, who was among the lawyers arrested previously, told reporters. 'All rallies now seem to end up with someone being arrested and that is a clear sign of preventive measures done by the police, a real infringement on the right to assemble,' she added.

BELOW: The policeman present took an interest and joined in the wave of support

Two major rallies last month, which police broke up using tear gas, water cannon and baton charges, sent shockwaves through the nation which is home to large ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities. An electoral reform protest last month drew at least 30,000 people, and a week later 8,000 people protested against discrimination towards Indians. They were protesting against alleged discrimination by Muslim Malays who comprise 60 per cent of the population and control the government. -- AFP

= == = == = ==

Coming next post on

SAMY’S Dilemma – Unable to Deliver BN Votes Advised by UMNO Youth Hishamuddin – Send MIC youths on Nationwide Tour for Damage Control

ABOVE: Interviewed in the (60 Minutes with the Minister) programme on RTM1 last night, a Zam's Special and BELOW: His Gloomy outlook for the next GE: Illegal Assemblies Affect Indian Community's Loyalty and feared Indian Protest Votes

More details in a couple of hours' time