The government should end its prosecution of a local activist Lena Hendry for her role in showing a documentary without censorship board’s approval, said international NGO Human Rights Watch.

The Federal Court is hearing Hendry’s challenge to the constitutionality of the Film Censorship Act today, in relation to her being charged for the screening of the award-winning documentary ‘No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka’ on July 3, 2013 in Kuala Lumpur.

HRW’s deputy Asia director Phil Robertson in a statement last night slammed the government for trying to appease Sri Lankan embassy officials in going after Hendry.

“The authorities’ politically motivated prosecution of Hendry is contrary to internationally recognised standards for the protection of freedom of expression,” said Robertson.

“Prosecuting someone for the private showing of an award-winning film shows how determined Malaysian authorities are to stomp on the right to free expression,” he added.

Hendry is a member of Komas, the organisation behind the screening of the film about war crimes allegedly committed in the last months of Sri Lanka’s long drawn civil war.

Should the Federal Court, Malaysia’s highest, rule against Hendry, her case will proceed to trial, said Robertson.

Instead, he said the government should be amending its censorship laws to curb abuse of power.

“Rather than acting like a ‘big brother’ to censor films Malaysians have a right to see, the government should change the law that allows this misuse of power.

“Malaysians should never have to fear arrest for organising a film festival or going to watch a movie,” he said.