Honourable Prime Minister:
We, the undersigned organisations and individuals, condemn the ongoing judicial harassment and intimidation against Jannie Lasimbang, a prominent human rights and indigenous rights leader, and call on the Malaysian government authorities to immediately drop all charges laid against her.
We affirm that the targeted prosecution of Lasimbang, among other rights activists, is indicative of the closing space for civil society in Malaysia. We urge the government to put an end to such prosecution and uphold the values of democracy and human rights.
Lasimbang is one of the former vice-chairpersons of the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0), which is a campaign endorsed by over 60 Malaysian NGOs seeking electoral reforms and promotion of democratic rights in Malaysia. She is the first person to be charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (PAA) for her role in organising the fourth series of peaceful assemblies of (Bersih 4.0). The assemblies were held in major cities in Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, on Aug 29 and 30, 2015. There were subsequent assemblies in over 70 cities around the world in support of the main assemblies in Malaysia.
The overnight rally in Kota Kinabalu had more than 3,000 people in attendance but ended two hours shy of its 24-hour target after a police barricade stopped some 1,000 participants of the assembly from walking towards the city. The police had questioned Lasimbang immediately after the Bersih 4.0 assembly ended, along with others for their alleged role in organising the assembly. She was not arrested; it therefore came as surprise to her to be charged nearly two months later.
Lasimbang was charged on Oct 21, 2015 at the Kota Kinabalu Magistrate's Court under Section 9(5) of the PAA 2012 for allegedly organising the Bersih 4.0 assembly at Likas Bay Park without giving a 10-day notice to the city police chief prior to the event, as required under Article 10(c) of the PAA 2012. Maria Chin Abdullah, the chairperson of Bersih 2.0, was also later charged under the same section.
We are informed that although Bersih Sabah had submitted the form required for the 10-day notice, the failure to append a consent letter from the owner of the Likas Bay Park (City Hall) was construed as not giving the 10-day notice.
The Kota Kinabalu magistrate allowed Lasimbang bail of RM3,000 with a deposit of RM1,000 for the charge and set the court date for Nov 13, 2015 for case management and Nov 23 and 24, 2015 to hear the case. The case management was earlier rescheduled to Jan 20, and the hearing to Jan 26 and 27, 2016. It has since been postponed again without any certain date. We are gravely concerned that if convicted, Lasimbang faces a maximum fine of RM20,000 (US$4,646) for two counts of the same charge, one for each day of the two-day event. She has pleaded not guilty.
Lasimbang, a former commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has also served as a member and chairperson of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), established by the Human Rights Council under the United Nations. Former secretary-general of Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, she is currently at the forefront of indigenous rights advocacy in Malaysia as the secretary-general of the Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia, also known as Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS).
We affirm that the selective prosecution of Lasimbang and other activists in Malaysia constitutes violations of national and international human rights obligations of the state, including under UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. The declaration provides that for the purpose of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, at the national and international levels to meet or assemble peacefully (Art. 5(a)). It is the duty of state of Malaysia to “take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone... against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present declaration” (Art. 12).
JOAN CARLING is secretary-general of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP).
The petition is sent on behalf of the organisations and individuals listed below.
Names of the organisation/country:
1 Adivai Facilitators Group (AFG) Bangladesh
2 Badhan Hijra Sangha (BHS) Bangladesh
3 Bangladesh Apparels Workers Federation (BAWF) Bangladesh
4 Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum (BAF) Bangladesh
5 CHT Women Resource Network (WRN-CHT) Bangladesh
6 Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) Bangladesh
7 JAGO NARI Bangladesh
8 Kapaeeng Foundation (KF) Bangladesh
9 Maleya Foundation Bangladesh
10 Trinamul Unnayan Sangstha (TUS) Bangladesh
11 Zabarang Kalyan Samity (ZKS) Bangladesh
12 Working Group of Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa (WIMSA) Botswana
13 Unissons-nous pour la Promotion des Batwa (UNIPROBA) Burundi
14 Bunong Indigenous Community Association Cambodia
15 Cambodia Indigenous Peoples Alliance (CIPA) Cambodia
16 Cambodia Indigenous Peoples Organization (CIPO) Cambodia
17 Cambodia Indigenous Youth Association (CIYA) Cambodia
18 Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) Cambodia
19 Cambodian League for the Promotion & Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO) Cambodia
20 Indigenous Rights Active Members (IRAM) Cambodia
21 Peace Institute of Cambodia (PIC) Cambodia
22 Youth for Peace Cambodia (YFP) Cambodia
23 International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) Denmark
24 Initiative for Living Community Action Ethiopia
25 Fiji Women's Rights Movement (FWRM) Fiji
26 Groupe International De Travail Pour Les Peuples Autochtones (GITPA) France
27 International Council for the Indigenous Peoples of CHT (ICIP-CHT) France
28 Institute for Ecology and Action Anthropology (INFOE) Germany
29 Adivasi Navjeewan Gathan Navjyoti Agua (ANGNA) India
30 Adivasi Women's Network India
31 Andhra Pradesh Vyavasaya Vruthidarula Union (APVVU) India
32 Association for Promotion of Sustainable Development, Hisar India
33 Borok Peoples Human Rights Organisation (BPHRO) India
34 Borosa Foundation for Peace, Democracy and Human Rights India
35 Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur India
36 Gram Bharati Samiti (GBS) India
37 Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ICITP) India
38 Indigenous Women Children Foundation (IWCF) India
39 Jana Vikas India
40 Karbi Human Rights Watch (KHRW) India
41 Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) India
42 People's Joint Action Committee for Boroland Movement (PJACBM) India
43 Sammajik Seva Sadan India
44 Zo Indigenous Forum India
45 Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN) Indonesia
46 Inspirator Muda Nusantara Indonesia
47 Peacebuilding Institute (Institut Titian Perdamaian - ITP) Indonesia
48 Sawit Watch Indonesia
49 Sehjira Deaf Foundation Indonesia
50 SOS Children’s Villages Indonesia Indonesia
51 Yayasan LINTAS NUSA Batam Indonesia
52 Yayasan Perlindungan Insani Indonesia
53 “SOciety for New Initiatives and Activities” for a Just New World Italy
54 Community Resource and Development Center Kenya
55 Indigenous Livelihoods Enhancement Partners (ILEPA) Kenya
56 Indigenous Peoples National Steering Committee on Climate Change (IPNSCCC) Kenya
57 Mainyoito Pastoralists Integrated Development Organization (MPIDO) Kenya
58 Sengwer Indigenous Peoples Programme Kenya
59 Aliran Kesedaran Negara Malaysia
60 All Women's Action Society (AWAM) Malaysia
61 Borneo Resources Institute (BRIMAS) Malaysia
62 Building Indigenous Initiatives in Heritage (BiiH) Malaysia
63 Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) Malaysia
64 Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM) Malaysia
65 Institute for Development of Alternative Living (IDEAL) Malaysia
Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS) (with membership comprising 105
community organizations) Malaysia
66
67 Jaringan Tanah Hak Adat Bangsa Asal Sarawak (TAHABAS) Malaysia
68 LLG Cultural Development Centre Malaysia
69 Malaysian Trader Union Congress (MTUC) Sabah Malaysia
70 Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (MADPET) Malaysia
71 Oriental Hearts and Mind Study Institute (OHMSI) Malaysia
72 PACOS Trust Malaysia
73 Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER) Malaysia
74 Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PANAP) Malaysia
75 Pusat Komuniti Malaysia (KOMAS) Malaysia
76 Rise of Sarawak Efforts (R.O.S.E.) Malaysia
77 Sahabat Rakyat Malaysia
78 Sarawak Dayak Iban Association Malaysia
79 Sarawak Indigenous Youth Network (SIYN) Malaysia
80 SAVE Rivers Malaysia
81 Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (PROHAM) Malaysia
82 Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) Malaysia
83 Tenaganita Malaysia
84 TObpinai NIngkokoton koBUruon kampuNG (TONIBUNG) Malaysia
85 Agencia Internacional de Prensa Indígena (AIPIN) México
86 Gobi Soil Mongolia
87 MONFEMNET National Network Mongolia
88 OT Watch Mongolia
89 Steps Withuot Borders NGO Mongolia
90 Association of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters (HRDP) Myanmar
91 Burma Partnership Myanmar
92 Chin Human Rights Organisation (CHRO) Myanmar
93 SHANAH Myanmar
94 Spectrum Myanmar
95 Women Peace Network-Arakan Myanmar
96 Working Group of Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa Namibia
97 Active Society Nepal (ASN) Nepal
98 Ageing Nepal Nepal
99 Bahing Kirat Mulukhim Nepal
100 Bahing Kirat Mulukhim Women Union Depart Nepal
101 Bote Adibasi Janajati Samuha Nepal
102 Center for Indigenous People's Research and Development (CIPRED) Nepal
103 Chula Chuli UNESCO Club (CUSC) Nepal
104 Community Empowerment and Social Justice Foundation (CEmSoJ) Nepal
Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities
Journalists (FONIJ) Nepal
105
Forum for Public Awareness Rural Development and Environmental Conservation
(FPARE) Nepal
106
107 Garivi Unmulan tatha Sahayog Anusandhan Kendra Nepal Nepal
108 Hamro Mechi Samajik Sanstha Nepal
109 Hurhure Yuwa Club Nepal
110 Indigenous Nationalities Single Women Network (INSWN) Nepal
111 Indigenous Nationalities Women Youth Network (INWYN) Nepal
112 Indigenous Women League Nepal
113 Janauthan Manch Nepal
114 Kanchangjangha Women's Development Group Nepal
115 Karani Community Development Centre Nepal
116 Kathriya Society Nepal Nepal
117 Kirat Chamling Association (KCA) Nepal
118 Kirat Chamling Language Culture Development Association (KCLCDA) Nepal
119 Kirat Chamling Youth Society (KCYS) Nepal
120 Kirat Welfare Society (KWS) Nepal
121 Kirat Youth Society (KYS) Nepal
122 Kulung Mingma Guskham Nepal
Lawyers' Association for Human Rights of Nepalese Indigenous Peoples
(LAHURNIP) Nepal
123
124 Lok Kalyan Nepal Nepal
125 National Indigenous Disabled Women Association Nepal (NIDWAN) Nepal
126 National Indigenous Women Forum Nepal
127 National indigenous Women's Federation (NIWF) Nepal
128 Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) Nepal
129 Nepal Indigenous Disabled Association (NIDA) Nepal
130 Nepal Manav Adhikar Samaj Nepal
131 Nepal Rana Tharu Samaj Nepal
132 Nepal Tamang Women Ghedung Nepal
133 NGO-Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities (NGO-FONIN) Nepal
134 Pahadi Samaj Bikas Kendra Nepal
135 People Unity Youth Society (PUYS) Nepal
136 Prangbola Chhar Nham Nepal
137 Prasamsha Samudaik Bikas Kendra Nepal
138 Rasuwa Janajati Development Committee Nepal
139 Rasuwa Tamang Samaj Nepal
140 Routa Welfare Community Center Nepal
141 Shilichong Club Development Centre Nepal
142 Shilichong Club Social Development Centre Nepal
143 Siluti Namphunyak Paryatan Bikas Kendra Nepal
144 Thakali Women Association Nepal
145 Tharu Innovative Youth Society Nepal
146 Unity Society Nepal
147 Youth Awareness Society Nepal (YASN) Nepal
148 Youth Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (YFIN) Nepal
149 Nga Tirairaka o Ngati Hine New
150 Centro para la Autonomía y Desarrollo de los Pueblos Indígenas (CADPI) Nicaragua
151 Rainforest Foundation Norway Noway
152 Advocacy, Research, Training and Services (ARTS) Foundation Pakistan
153 Pakistan Development Alliance (PDA) Pakistan
154 Youth Association for Development (YAD) Pakistan
155 Porgera Alliance
156 Asociacion ANDES Peru
157 Center of Indigenous Cultures of Peru (CHIRAPAQ) Peru
158 Continental Network of Indigenous Women on Americas (ECMIA) Peru
159 Asia Indigenous Women Network (AIWN) Philippines
160 BAI-Indigenous Women Network in the Philippines Philippines
161 Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) Philippines
162 IBON International Philippines
163 Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamyan ng Pilipinas (KATRIBU) Philippines
164 National Federation of Peasant Women (AMIHAN) Philippines
165 Tebtebba - Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre for Policy Research Philippines
166 Urban Poor Resource Center of the Philippines Philippines
167 Center for Support of Indigenous Peoples of the North (CSIPN) Russia
168 Batwa Foundation Rwanda
169 MARUAH Singapore Singapore
170 Community Development Services (CDS) Sri Lanka
171 Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) Switzerland
172 Global Bersih Switzerland
173 Central Taiwan Ping-Pu Indigenous Groups Youth Alliance Taiwan
174 Papora Indigenous Peoples Association (PIDA) Taiwan
175 Papora Indigenous Youth Council (PIYC) Taiwan
Taiwan Associaton for Rights Advancement for Ping Pu Plains. Aborigine Peoples
(TARA-Ping Pu) Taiwan
176
177 Takao Indigenous Makatao Council (TIMC) Taiwan
Parakuiyo Pastoralists Indigenous Community Development Organisation
(PAICODEO) Tanzania
178
179 Asian Institute for Human Rights (AIHR) Thailand
180 FORUM-ASIA (Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development) Thailand
181 Indigenous Peoples' Foundation for Education and Environment (IPF) Thailand
182 Inter Mountain Peoples Education and Culture in Thailand Association (IMPECT) Thailand
183 Network of Indigenous Peoples in Thailand (NIPT) Thailand
184 People's Empowerment Foundation (PEF) Thailand
185 Sustainable Development Foundation Thailand
186 TEA - togetherness for equality and action Thailand
187 Thai Committee for Refugees Foundation (TCR) Thailand
188 Covalima Youth Center (CYC)
189 Judicial System Monitoring Programme (JSMP)
190 ARTICLE 19 UK
191 Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation UK
192 Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) UK
193 Boat People SOS (BPSOS) USA
194 International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) USA
195 Pivot Point USA
196 Centre for Sustainable Development in Mountainous areas (CSDM) Vietnam
197 Centre of Research and Development in Upland Areas (CERDA) Vietnam
198 Vietnam Indigenous Knowledge network (VTIK) Vietnam
199 Vietnamese Women for Human Rights Vietnam
200 ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR)
201 ASEAN Youth Forum
202 Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN)
203 Indigenous Peoples of Africa Co-ordinating Committee (IPACC)
204 Indigenous Peoples' Biocultural Climate Change Assessment Initiative
205 International Network of Mountain Indigenous Peoples
Name of the individual country:
1 Dr Wilton Littlechild, IPC Canada
2 Elizabeth Mobinsil Malaysia
3 Kely Jitilon Malaysia
4 Suzalie Mohamad Malaysia
5 Winni Jimis Malaysia
6 William Nicholas Gomes UK
7 Allison Silverman
