The Human Rights Commission's (Suhakam) report on freedom of assembly was tabled in Parliament today, three months after the report was released to the public.

The 31-paged report among others suggested short and long-term amendments to the current legal restrictions imposed on the right to assemble peacefully.

The report, released on Aug 2, called for applications for permits to hold static assemblies in premises, such as stadiums, halls and private premises, to be approved as a general rule, without restrictions on freedom of expression.

Public places of different sizes and different locations should be identified by the authorities for the holding of public assemblies to help overcome the difficulty faced by organisers in securing suitable places, the report recommended.

The two-year-old commission also said a guideline on the responsibilities of organisers of public assemblies and processions should be prepared and called for a review in the method of crowd dispersals.

Police restraint

The emphasis should be on restraint, particularly in the use of canes and batons, tear gas and water cannons, the commission said.

"Only if there is clearly a resistance to the order to disperse should force be used and even then it should only be such force as is reasonably necessary to overcome the resistance".

Among the long-term measures, Suhakam recommended amendments to the Police Act, rules and regulations relating to assemblies.

It called for dialogue sessions held between Suhakam and top-level police officers, policy makers, as well as between the police and NGOs and political parties.

It urged that all provisions regarding the application for permits for assembly be amended.

Also recommended for review was the Public Order (Preservation) Act 1958.

Government mindset

Meanwhile, Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Tanjung) said DAP welcomed the tabling of the report in Parliament today.

However, he said the Barisan Nasional government should affirm the report to ensure greater right of freedom of expression.

"The DAP Human Rights bureau concurs with Suhakam that the Police Act and the Public Order (Preservation) Act have imposed undue restrictions on the right of freedom of assembly and amendments to these law must be made," he said in a press statement.

"It is pertinent that the BN government reacts positively to Suhakam's recommendations on freedom of assembly and association to ensure restrictive laws in the country do not fetter with the cornerstone of democracy," he added.

Chow said it is high time that the government change its present mindset that political assemblies are intrinsically dangerous and a threat to national security.