The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has revealed its terms of reference for the upcoming public inquiry into the'Bloody Sunday' incident of May 28.

In a statement today, the commission said it will determine whether there were any violations of human rights of any person or party over the allegations of police violence in dispersing a group of demonstrators.

If violations of human rights did occur, Suhakam will determine:

- Which person or agency is responsible;

- How such violations came about;

- What administrative directives and procedures, or arrangements contributed to these; and

- What measures should be recommended to ensure that such violations do not recur.

The commission has also called on eyewitnesses or persons who believe they may be able to give relevant information pertaining to any of the terms of references to contact its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

They can do so via officers Nurul Hasanah Ahamed or Long Seh Lih at 03-2612 5600/5602 or by sending an email to humanrights@suhakam.org.my

The public inquiry will be headed by commissioner and former judge KC Vohrah , with the panel also comprising Choo Siew Kioh, Michael Yeoh and Zaithoon Othman. It held its first meeting last Wednesday.

Vohrah had said last week that the inquiry is expected to start in September, if its groundwork on investigations proceed smoothly.

Fifth public inquiry

The inquiry will be the fifth held by the human rights watchdog since its formation in 1999. However, it will be called off if the police initiate the process of prosecution before the inquiry begins.

In the 'Bloody Sunday' incident, the police allegedly cracked down hard on some 500 people who were protesting against the hike in fuel and electricity prices.

Among the 20 protestors who were arrested, two were seriously injured - one requiring five stitches on his head, while another sustained a broken arm.

However, the police have defended their action, saying they had only applied minimal force.

Previous public inquiries held by Suhakam include the the Kesas Highway incident (2001); conditions faced by Internal Security Act detainees (2002); alleged mistreatment of native villagers in Sabah by the police (2004); and the death of S Hendry while in police custody (2006).