With the growing uproar against the police force for brutality and human rights violations in their clampdown on the July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally, the Malaysian Human Rights Commission has come out with the terms of reference for its inquiry into the matter.

It called on those with complaints to submit their evidence of such instances by Aug 2.

The three terms of reference for Suhakam's public inquiry are:

  • To determine whether there were any violations of human rights of any person or party prior to and during the public assembly on July 9;
  • If violations of human rights did occur, to determine:

       i. How such violations came about;

       ii. What administrative directives and procedures, or                arrangements, contributed to such violations; and

       iii Which person or agency was responsible for such violations; and

  • To recommend measures to be taken to ensure that such violations do not recur.

Suhakam also announced that a three-member panel chaired by its vice-chairperson Khaw Lake Tee will conduct the inquiry.

She will be assisted by commissioners Mahmood Zuhdi Abdul Majid and Detta Samen.

On July 14, some 30 people who had participated in the rally, led by Bersih 2.0 steering committee member Maria Chin Abdullah, lodged a report at the Suhakam headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Among the complainants was Azhar Kassim, the nephew of the late Baharuddin Ahmad who died after the rally. Azhar claimed that the injuries his uncle suffered were inconsistent with the explanation of a heart attack given by the government.

Immediately after the complaints were lodged, Suhakam had announced that it will be conducting an inquiry into claims of police brutality. However the details of that inquiry were not revealed until today.

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