Human rights group Amnesty International Malaysia has urged the authorities to stop prosecuting individuals for exercising freedom of expression.

“The Malaysian authorities must immediately stop prosecuting individuals and activist groups in expressing their freedom of expression in light of Bilqis Hijjas ordered to enter defence yesterday and the first court hearing of Maria Chin and Mandeep Singh under the Peaceful Assembly Act, held today for exercising their freedom of expression,” the NGO said in a statement today.

Amnesty International was referring to dance producer Bilqis Hijjas, who was ordered to enter her defence yesterday on an Aug 31, 2015, incident in which she dropped yellow balloons emblazoned with the words “Free Media”, “Democracy” and “Justice”, onto an event attended by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor.

Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah and activist Mandeep Singh are also facing their first court hearing today for taking part in the 2015 Kita Lawan rally, for which they have already claimed trial.

They had on Aug 28 been granted a discharge, not amounting to an acquittal, on their charges.

Amnesty International said both these incidents are part of a wider crackdown on freedom of expression and other forms of peaceful political dissent in Malaysia.

“Critics of the government and human rights defenders are criminalised, prevented from carrying out peaceful activities and stifled with multiple criminal charges under the current political climate.

“It also contravenes Malaysia’s international obligations and commitments to uphold the right to freedom of expression,” it said.

Furthermore, the NGO highlighted a worrying trend of prosecutors appealing acquittals by the courts or requesting higher, more punitive sentences for individuals, activists and human rights defenders.

As such, Amnesty International urged the authorities to immediately repeal or amend laws such as the Sedition Act 1948, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 as well as any other law that restricts the right to freedom of expression.