Police brutality and inhumane conditions reportedly suffered by those under detention were severely condemned by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Council Legal Aid Centre today.

Speaking to journalists, the centre chairperson R. Kesavan said they received reports of police brutality toward 48 alleged demonstrators detained in conjunction with the "Black 14" gathering at the National Mosque on April 15.

"We are of the view that the excessive use of force by the police is inexcusable," Kesavan said, adding that all of the alleged demonstrators arrested have not physically or verbally provoked the police.

One of the victims, Azlee bin Johar who was also present at the press conference alleged that he was beaten by several policemen on his head, neck and thighs.

After he had fallen, he was dragged whilst being verbally abused into a police truck. There, he claimed he was beaten and kicked again.

The centre represents all 48 persons who were arrested that day. Apart from being assaulted by the police, those detained also complained about the degrading conditions in police lock-ups.

Last Monday, the detainees told the magistrate court that the lock-up cells were grossly overcrowded and had no proper facilities for prayers and they were denied drinking water despite repeated pleas. Their relatives were even refused permission to bring in clothes for them.

"We will submit a complaint to the Human Rights Commission after we have collected more information regarding this matter," Kesavan said.

"We demand that a full investigation be carried out to look into these allegations," he said, adding that it was not the first time such complaints occurred.

According to Kesavan, the police were uncooperative and lawyers from the centre were refused information on the whereabouts of the detainees. Even the family members of the detainees were denied the information.

"This behaviour of the police undoubtedly caused a great deal of unnecessary anxiety, fear and trauma to desperate family members trying to locate their loved ones. This attitude also obstructed lawyers from carrying out their duties on behalf on their clients," he said.

The legal aid centre also asserted that it is a fundamental right of all citizens to assemble peacefully in public places, welcoming the assurance by Human Rights Commission chairman Musa Hitam on Monday. ("[#1] Musa to probe alleged police violence against 'Black 14' detainees[/#] ", April 24)

He concurred with Musa's view that demonstrations "need not be confrontational or viewed negatively".

"It is a fundamental right of all citizens... (to peacefully assemble) as enshrined in Article 10 of our Federal Constitution and Article 20 of the UN Declaration on Human Rights," Kesavan added.

Another lawyer, N. Surendran, urged the police to abide by the "international standard" where force cannot be applied on any lawful or unlawful assembly as long as it is non-violent.

"The UN Declaration on Human Rights applies to all human beings and not just Westerners," he said, adding that human rights is not a "Western concept".

Surendran added that the fear of riots articulated by the government and the police was unfounded and there was no need to enforce Section 27 of the Police Act, which many lawyers feel contravenes Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

"There are other laws to counter riots, if it happens," he said.

"It is the duty of the government and the police to ensure that citizens are allowed to peacefully assemble in the exercise of the democratic rights, without the necessity of obtaining permits," Kesavan said.