'Drop charge over screening of Sri Lanka war film'

Human Rights Watch has urged the government to drop the charge against Pusat Komas coordinator Lena Hendry who is accused of screening a documentary film on Sri Lanka's civil war without approval from the Censorship Board.

Deputy Asia director Phil Robertson said the government should also find a way to undo the damage to Malaysia's cultural reputation.

“Malaysian authorities are flipping the switch off basic freedoms by threatening to jail someone for showing a documentary,” Robertson said in a statement.

On Sept 19, Lena (left) was charged under the Film Censorship Act with screening ‘No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka’, at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall on July 3.

If convicted, she is liable to a maximum fine of RM30,000 or three years’ jail.

Her case is scheduled for case management in the Kuala Lumpur magistrate's court today.

Robertson said the charge appears politically motivated as, prior to the screening, the documentary had been shown to members of parliament without incident.

He further pointed out that, in three days’ time, Malaysia's human rights record will be under scrutiny during the Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council.

“Malaysia’s willingness to block the showing of ‘No Fire Zone’ and prosecute Lena makes it a disturbing partner for Sri Lanka in whitewashing wartime atrocities,” Robertson said.

“It should turn these missteps into an opportunity to join the many governments that are seeking a measure of justice for the Sri Lankan war’s many victims.”

Robertson also pointed out that Malaysia will be among countries represented at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka from Nov 15-17.