KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian government must stop intimidating artists and human rights defenders and respect the freedom of expression, a regional network of human rights activist groups has said.
The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia) said laws that are part of a slew of repressive legislation are frequently used to restrict the freedom of expression and information.
“These laws have also been increasingly used to intimidate critics and human rights defenders in Malaysia,” said its executive director Shamini Darshni Kaliemuthu in a statement.
The criticism comes in response to action taken on filmmaker Anna Har and cartoonist Amin Landak over “Chilli Powder & Thinner”, an animated short film produced by Freedom Film Network (FFN).
Both were questioned at Bukit Aman here and the FFN office was raided on Friday. Amin’s house was also raided.
They are being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, as well as Sections 400 and 505B of the Penal Code.
Har is co-founder of FFN.
The film is said to be based on a true story of a boy who testified to being tortured while under police custody with two of his friends.
“The investigation of Anna and Amin, along with the police raids on FFN, Pusat Komas, and on Amin’s home are clear forms of intimidation and harassment, said Shamini.
“Amid a deteriorating civic space in Malaysia occurring at an alarming rate, these actions send a chilling message that anyone seeking to question the police will face reprisals,” she said.
Forum-Asia is a Bangkok-based regional network of 81 member organisations from 21 Asian countries.
The statement mentioned a report by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) that had noted at least 10% of detainees interviewed alleging that they had witnessed, heard or been victims of torture or other types of violence.
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), co-creator of the film, has documented allegations from detainees who had suffered beatings, sexual assault, solitary confinement, and other forms of cruel and inhumane treatment.
Malaysian civil society organisations have long urged the government to establish an independent commission to probe into police misbehaviour, such as abuse and torture in detention, but to no avail.
“Instead of addressing these grave allegations and taking steps towards holding perpetrators accountable, the government has instead chosen to crack down on defenders and artists who have spoken out,” said Shamini.
Citing Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, as well as Sections 400 and 505B of the Penal Code, which Har and Amin are being investigated under, she said: “Laws such as these criminalise expression, silence victims, and reinforce a culture of impunity where acts such as police brutality remain unpunished.”
“We condemn the government’s harassment and intimidation against Freedom Film Network and its artists.
“We stand in solidarity with them and all human rights defenders who have continued to find ways to raise human rights violations despite an increasingly repressive environment in Malaysia.
“They amplify the voices of the most vulnerable, and ensure victims of state violations are not forgotten,” Shamini said.
‘Crass censorship’
Meanwhile, Malaysian civil society rights group Aliran has also stood in solidarity with Har and Amin, calling the action against them “an assault on freedom of expression and speech as enshrined in our federal constitution”.
“The film aims to raise awareness and concern over custodial deaths,” it said in a statement.
“The authorities’ high-handed action is a crass form of censorship that does not augur well for human rights advocates and those involved in the media and the arts.”
“We call on the police to cease further investigation of both individuals who were merely exercising their democratic right,” it added. – The Vibes, July 4, 2021
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