The coalition for clean and fair elections
Bersih today urged the government to accept United Nations special
rapporteur Frank La Rue’s offer and invite him to independently probe
the April 28 rally.
In a statement today, it also urged the government to also invite the UN’s special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai, to investigate the matter.
La Rue (left), who is special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, told Malaysiakini that he is willing to conduct an independent probe on the Bersih 3.0 rally.
“If indeed the government has nothing to hide and is keen for the truth to be established, in the interests of the rakyat, then this would be an ideal occasion and opportunity to do so,” Bersih said.
The NGO coalition also said that it is ready to give “every cooperation” in the investigation.
The government is also setting up a panel to investigate the April 28 incident, with panel members expected to be announced this week.
Meanwhile, Bersih raised concern that the Malaysian government may be requesting other governments to crack down on Malaysians abroad who held solidarity demonstrations in the respective countries on April 28.
“If these reports are true, it is a negative development that must be deplored and we urge all Malaysians to unite in support of the safety of our fellow citizens,” it said.
Mingguan Malaysia had last Sunday quoted anonymous sources who claim that the Saudi government is “hunting down” Malaysians who held a Bersih 3.0 solidarity gathering in Mecca on the date.
In a statement today, it also urged the government to also invite the UN’s special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai, to investigate the matter.
La Rue (left), who is special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, told Malaysiakini that he is willing to conduct an independent probe on the Bersih 3.0 rally.“If indeed the government has nothing to hide and is keen for the truth to be established, in the interests of the rakyat, then this would be an ideal occasion and opportunity to do so,” Bersih said.
The NGO coalition also said that it is ready to give “every cooperation” in the investigation.
The government is also setting up a panel to investigate the April 28 incident, with panel members expected to be announced this week.
Meanwhile, Bersih raised concern that the Malaysian government may be requesting other governments to crack down on Malaysians abroad who held solidarity demonstrations in the respective countries on April 28.
“If these reports are true, it is a negative development that must be deplored and we urge all Malaysians to unite in support of the safety of our fellow citizens,” it said.
Mingguan Malaysia had last Sunday quoted anonymous sources who claim that the Saudi government is “hunting down” Malaysians who held a Bersih 3.0 solidarity gathering in Mecca on the date.
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