ICJ’s International Legal Adviser on Southeast Asia, Emerlynne Gil, in a statement of 15 October 2014 urged the Malaysian government to ensure that a rally, organised by lawyers protesting the country’s stifling Sedition Act on 16 October 2014, can proceed peacefully, without undue interference by the police, who must take lawful measures to prevent violence from counter protesters.
The Malaysian Bar Council organized the ‘Walk for Peace and Freedom’ as a 1.3 kilometer march from Padang Merbok carpark in the city center to Parliament, in protest against the recent string of arrests, charges, investigations and prosecutions under the archaic 1948 Sedition Act.
“The Sedition Act is being misused with increasing frequency to muzzle legal professionals who express their views about existing laws,” said Gil. “Under principle 23 of the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, members of the legal profession have the right to participate in public discussions concerning the law, the administration of justice and promotion and protection of human rights. The authorities have the duty to respect and protect this right.”
ICJ’s International Legal Adviser on Southeast Asia, Emerlynne Gil, in a statement of 15 October 2014 urged the Malaysian government to ensure that a rally, organised by lawyers protesting the country’s stifling Sedition Act on 16 October 2014, can proceed peacefully, without undue interference by the police, who must take lawful measures to prevent violence from counter protesters.
The Malaysian Bar Council organized the ‘Walk for Peace and Freedom’ as a 1.3 kilometer march from Padang Merbok carpark in the city center to Parliament, in protest against the recent string of arrests, charges, investigations and prosecutions under the archaic 1948 Sedition Act.
“The Sedition Act is being misused with increasing frequency to muzzle legal professionals who express their views about existing laws,” said Gil. “Under principle 23 of the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, members of the legal profession have the right to participate in public discussions concerning the law, the administration of justice and promotion and protection of human rights. The authorities have the duty to respect and protect this right.”
