CSOs Condemn the Use of Repressive Defamation Laws to Silence Human Rights Defender
October 12, 2019
The undersigned civil society organisations (CSOs) condemn the act of the Kangar Police Chief, Wari Kiew, in purportedly filing a police report against Sevan Doraisamy, the Executive Director of Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) for defamation under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act*. This move by the authorities is seen as a form of intimidation and reprisal against human rights defenders who in this case were in good faith supporting and assisting victims of alleged wrongful arrest and torture submit a complaint to the National Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM), followed by a media conference which publicised the victim’s allegations.
* As reported in Malaysiakini, 12/10/2019, https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/495523
Use of repressive criminal defamation laws, such as the above, should be repealed as it is clearly a violation of the right to freedom of expression and freedom of speech which is guaranteed in Article 10 of our Federal Constitution.
We call on the Kangar Police Chief to withdraw his report and submit to an investigation by SUHAKAM to be cleared of any wrongdoing rather than use Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPP) tactics against whistleblowers.
It is also in this regard that a credible and independent IPCMC is essential to investigate any alleged violations and misconduct by the police.
12 October 2019
Prepared by: Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
Signed by:
1) Freedom Film Network Malaysia
2) Empower Malaysia
3) Pusat KOMAS
4) Sisters in Islam
5) KRYSS Network
6) Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS)
7) Beyond Borders
8) Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (PROHAM)
9) Sinar Project
10) North South Initiative
11) Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia (GERAK)
12) ALIRAN
13) Justice for Sisters
14) Bersih 2.0
