Suaram condemns the highhandedness and the excessive use of force by police in dispersing the Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) rally yesterday.
It is disturbing that the Inspector General of Police, Musa Hassan tried to justify that the police have exercised restraint when in fact countless of tear gas canisters and chemical laced water canons were fired into unarmed and peaceful crowds while many more were brutalized by the police in the process of dispersing or arrest.
Suaram reiterates that all the ‘unruly’ scenes published in the mainstream media would not have happened in the first place if the police had respected the constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and allowed the rally to proceed as planned. There was nothing threatening for the rally organizer in submitting a memorandum to the British High Commission.
It is unfortunate that our mainstream media did not even question the abuse of powers by the police in rejecting the assembly permit application and denying the constitutional rights of freedom of assembly in the first place but chose to spin in full force in painting the assembly to be unruly when in reality this was an outcome of the brutal crackdown of the police.
The police action is especially mind boggling when the target of HINDRAF complaint, the British High Commission had no qualm about receiving the memorandum from HINDRAF. The police crackdown yesterday only speaks volume of the marginalization and discrimination suffered by a large section of the Indian community in Malaysia, of which the government of the day is guiltier of than the British government.
Suaram urges the government to look into the plight of the Indian community instead of clamping down on their freedom of expression, if the Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is sincere with his words in listening to the truth from the people.
We call on the government, as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, to adopt the core principle of human rights - equality and non-discrimination - in all laws and policies in order to address the issues of marginalization and discrimination, which is deeply entrenched and manipulated to perpetuate divide and rule among the races. This is a national challenge that the country will have to confront with if it is to move forward in creating genuine racial harmony and open democracy.
SUARAM calls for the dropping of the Sedition charges against the HINDRAF leaders and the immediate and unconditional release of 136 protestors detained at the HINDRAF rally yesterday.
The Hindraf protest is a Malaysian protest. Wherever there is a violation of basic rights, people must rise up to protest. The current system perpetuates injustice and history is full of such injustices and where change has occurred it always has been with a struggle.
As Paulo Friere said ‘it is man’s ontological vocation to humanize’.
The ghosts inside our middle class heads need to be exorcised in order that we may take our right position in history.
Well done Hindraf. For the first time, indians in this country have united for one common clause. This had never happen. This shows how much Indian suffering. We call upon others to join to show your protest. It is not only for indians but for all who are suffering. Long live Indian, Long Live Malaysian…
First of all, I would say HINDRAF’s actions in organizing a gathering on Sunday was uncalled for. Before people crucify me, hear me out because as an Indian born and raised in Malaysia, I too have my grudges against the system. Arranging for the gathering was like putting yourself in front of a tiger where the demonstrators were easy meal. The should have been a more brilliant planning done. If you ask me, there is an avenue where all Indians can hit the system the hardest that they’ll be reeling. We have a weapon so great in our hand that we do not realize the power it holds, by weapon I mean the elections. Imagine if not a single Indian, bar those contesting go out to vote, what happens? There will be huge losses as normally the Indians have and will most probably vote for the current government. We are the trump cards that make or break the voting count majority. If HINDRAF had organized something like this, it would have been smarter and practical rather than a huge gathering where many of the participants are in jail now. So please my fellow Dravidians, unite and think smartly before we act. We can make ourselves heard in the coming elections if we wish to make ourselves heard loud and clear.
Dear Dravidian,
I note your concern which is good. Indians have a long history of ineffective action as far is this country is concerned. All our complaints, grouses, grief and dissatisfaction directed at the authorities have been literally thrown into the waste paper basket. We were insignificant, a minority, follow leaders blindly, we are pendatangs, so on and so forth.
Do you think the election in this country is democratic? You decide.
The Hindraf action for me is a turning point for the Indians to be noticed. Yes there were causalities but one cannot dream that the plight of Indians can be overcome with the so called elections. MIC in its power will mislead the Indians. At least now people like Devamany are speaking up which would have been unheard of before the Hindraf rally. I also read another leader Veerasingam speaking up. Did you expect the MIC to speak up in parliament?
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