The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) today criticised the government over its recent ban on political ceramah (gatherings) saying that the restriction was against basic human rights principles.

"The ban is an undue restriction on freedom of assembly and freedom of expression," said commissioner Mehrun Siraj, adding that such activities are a facet of a healthy democracy.

Mehrun was speaking at a press conference held at the Suhakam headquarters in Menara Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, after the commission released its landmark report on freedom of assembly. Also present were commissioners Zainah Anwar and Mahadev Shankar.

Mehrun stressed it was the commission's stand that freedom of assembly is the right of every individual in a democratic country as it is a means of public participation in the democratic process.

She also urged the police to furnish reasons as to why the ceramah were seen as potential security threats.

"The public has a right to know," she said.

Blanket ban

Last month, the government imposed a blanket ban on all ceramah and political assemblies.

However, opposition party PAS has vowed to defy the ban.

It argued that it would continue holding political gatherings, claiming that it was the party's only channel of communicating with the masses unlike the ruling Barisan Nasional which has numerous avenues.

On July 16, PAS central committee member Mohammad Sabu, who is Kuala Kedah member of parliament, and two others were detained by police for holding an illegal assembly in Negri Sembilan.

The trio and three others were charged under Section 27 (5) (a) of the Police Act yesterday.

Meanwhile, a Johor PAS Youth leader was arrested under the Internal Security Act yesterday for planning a gathering.

Asked to comment on the use of ISA on participants and organisers of such assemblies, Mehrun maintained that the controversial law was a clear violation of human rights.

"ISA is used like a threat. If you go ahead with your assembly, you risk being detained under the Act," she said, adding that Suhakam is also in the process of drafting a report on the ISA, which allows detention without trial.

On the possibility of slander or lies being churned out during political rallies, Mehrun said that there were other laws such as the Sedition Act which can be used to deal with such cases.

Leaders fear large crowd

Mehrun urged a change in the mind-set of the country's present leadership and accept the fact that citizens have a right to freedom of assembly.

"It is sometimes difficult to tell them that they have to change. They ( the leaders) should not fear large crowds," she quipped.

Mehrun also hoped the commission's urgent recommendations, such as the easing in the requirements for police permits for political gatherings as contained in its freedom-of-assembly report released today, would be implemented by the authorities immediately.

On April 19, Suhakam submitted their inaugural annual report to the Parliament which contained similar interim recommendations, but to date there has been no indication that the authorities have taken the commission's proposals seriously.

As far as long-term measures are concerned, Mehrun conceded that it could be a lengthy process.

"The long-term recommendations, which involved law reform might take longer, maybe a few years but the sooner the better," she said.

Among the long-term measures proposed by Suhakam include the creation of a drafting committee that would review laws such as the Police Act (an act governing assemblies).

According to Mehrun, the freedom-of-assembly report will be submitted to Parliament soon. However, it is not known whether the report will go to Parliament in time for debate in its current sittings.

The present parliamentary session draws to a close next Thursday and will resume in October.