Haram Slams Cops For Detaining 8 Including Student Activists

---

 


Himpunan Advokasi Rakyat Malaysia (Haram) has condemned the police for detaining and recording statements from eight individuals, including five students, who had gathered outside the Wangsa Maju police district headquarters in solidarity with a student under investigation.
Haram claimed this is the third time the student, Alyaah Hani Anuar (above, third from right), has been called in since a Palestinian solidarity gathering two months ago.
The latest summons was to question her about the presence of students showing solidarity for her outside the same police headquarters during a previous round of questioning on Dec 19 last year.
Haram secretary-general Adam Nor denounced the detention of the eight as an act of intimidation and abuse of police powers.
He also claimed that Hani was told that she would not be freed as long as there were people gathered outside the police headquarters.
“This is a vile and unethical tactic that clearly abuses power to suppress the people's right to speak and assemble peacefully, now extending to eight innocent individuals.
“Haram asserts that the police's actions constitute a severe violation of the principles of freedom of assembly and speech enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“The students and activists present were merely exercising their rights as concerned and responsible citizens to show support for their friend.
“They did not engage in any illegal activities or pose a threat to public order. However, they are now being oppressed and treated like criminals,” he added.
‘Abuse of power’
Adam also highlighted several alleged abuses arising from the incident affecting these eight students and activists, including detention without notice, intimidation and abuse of power and statements taken without compliance with Section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code - which includes confiscation and deletion of photos.
Section 111 deals with regulations in summoning witnesses to record a statement.
Haram also demanded an investigation into the police officers involved in the incident and called on Malaysians to stand in solidarity with the eight and Hani.
Malaysiakini has contacted Wangsa Maju district police chief for comments. At the time of writing, it remains unclear if those detained had been released. - Mkini

---