'Gov't must protect anti- sedition law march'
International jurists group has been urged to protect lawyers who are marching against the Sedition Act tomorrow.
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said the government must ensure there is no "undue interference form police" or "violence from counter protestors".
International jurists group has been urged to protect lawyers who are marching against the Sedition Act tomorrow.
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said the government must ensure there is no "undue interference form police" or "violence from counter protestors".
ICJ said it is especially concerned that the lawyers be protected following violence at an anti-Sedition Act rally last Sunday (below) .
"The Sedition Act is being misused with increasing frequency to muzzle legal professionals who express their views about existing laws,” said Emerlynne Gil, ICJ's international legal advisor on Southeast Asia.
"Under principle 23 of the United Nations 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," she said in a statement.
ICJ represents 60 of the world’s top judges and lawyers from different regions.
Lawyer's walk gathers steam
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Bar said that its Walk for Peace and Freedom to be held tomorrow has gathered more support, with international law bodies also writing in to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
Several international observers and foreign diplomats have also indicated that they will be present as observers of the event, Malaysian Bar president Christopher Leong said in a statement today.
"They include Bar Associations and law societies from abroad, such as Lawasia, Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Law Council of Australia and a member of the Japanese Bar," he said.
Leong ( right ) said the Bar Council also noted that open letters have been sent to Najib by various international law bodies in support of the walk.
He said all the statements from the international bodies are on the Malaysian Bar website and they include a statement of support from Lawasia, a letter by the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the German Federal Bar, the Nepal Bar Association and the Sri Lanka Bar Association.
The Korean Bar Association, Leong said will also issue a statement in support of the walk.
Walk to start at 10.30am
The walk in opposition of the Sedition Act 1948 will begin at the Padang Merbok car park in Kuala Lumpur at 10.30am tomorrow and from there, the participants will walk to Parliament House.
The Bar Council announced that it is organising the protest walk , called ‘Walk for Peace and Freedom’, after the Malaysian Bar approved a motion to hold the walk at its extraordinary general meeting last month.
Leong said the Bar believes that robust debate, diversity of opinion and freedom of speech and expression will ultimately promote, inculcate and maintain true and enduring peace, harmony, unity and mutual respect among Malaysians.
"Hence, the Malaysian Bar invites representatives of the media to provide coverage of our Walk for Peace and Freedom 2014.
"I intend to address the gathering generally tomorrow, at approximately 12.30pm, probably outside Parliament," he added in the statement.
Related stories
Cops take statement from Zahid on sedition report
'Isma chief's sedition charge is Islam's battle'
Walk in solidarity with Bar, media folk urged
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.