The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has condemned the mass arrests after the May Day Rally on March 1 in Kuala Lumpur, and urged the immediate and unconditional release of those held.

Suhakam acting chairperson Khaw Lake Tee said that they were deeply concerned about the mass arrests by the authorities following a peaceful assembly, saying it was not in accordance with the principles of human rights.

"The commission further reiterates that the police have an obligation to protect and facilitate peaceful assemblies, including those expressing dissent. Arrests and subsequent prosecution of participants of a peaceful assembly are not only unnecessary but also wholly disproportionate," she said in a statement today.

On Friday, 34 were arrested after the rally which was attended by about 20,000, including well-known human rights advocate Ambiga Sreenevasan, as well as opposition leaders like  PAS central committee member Mohd Hatta Ramli, DAP’s organising secretary Anthony Loke and PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan.

Yesterday, police detained and questioned PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli ( left ) and activist Hishamuddin Rais in Kuala Lumpur.

PKR vice-president Tian Chua was picked up by the police around 12.15am today in Penang on the Seberang Jaya Highway.

Suhakam also pointed out that the right to freedom of peaceful assembly in Malaysia is guaranteed in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article 24 of the Asean Declaration of Human Rights.

"The commission stresses again that any restriction on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly must be necessary, proportionate and does not threaten the values of tolerance and pluralism," she asserted.